The Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) team in Kenya has worked with local communities to plant thousands of trees on land used by the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).
DIO’s Safe Place to Train team and Kenyan Support Staff organised an Environmental Week to tackle a decline in the number of trees on BATUK training areas in Laikipia County and the Archer’s Post region.
With the help of volunteers from the local communities that BATUK shares its land with, a total of 3,900 tree saplings were planted and over 10,000 ‘seed balls’ were scattered.
The seed balls were created by coating seeds within a protective ball made primarily of charcoal dust, which protects them from damage and animals when germinating.
By scattering seeds using this method, it can take as little as a month for new plants to germinate in previously barren areas.
DIO personnel worked with landowners to develop an understanding of which species of trees would be the best for the local region, as well as the ideal locations to plant them within each training area.
The DIO team also attended a number of schools and colleges to encourage staff and children to take part in the “Adopt a Tree” programme.
It is hoped that these visits will help ensure the survivability of the trees once planted, by inspiring the younger generation to build on Environmental Week’s success.
The project was jointly developed by WO2 Phillip Kent, a DIO Training Safety Marshall and reservist serving in 8 Rifles, and Melita Loigisa, Senior Range Warden in the DIO team’s Kenyan Support Staff.
“Restoring trees to the Kenyan landscape is vital in counteracting the devastating decline in the number and diversity of trees due to land degradation and biological invasion by non-native plants," Kent said.
Loigisa said: “I have seen a dramatic decline in the wooded areas of Laikipia County and the Archers Post region over the last 20 years. The DIO team has given me the platform as the Senior Range Warden to assist in restoring these important natural habitats.
He added the ‘Adopt a tree’ initiative is something he is particularly passionate about, as it’s vital for the younger generation to understand the importance of their environment and the impact they have on it.
A variety of trees were planted, including some species, which could only be planted in certain areas.
The sapling species used throughout the project were Yellow Fever Tree, Umbrella Thorn, Juniperus Africana, Wait a Bit Tree, Balanites Aegyptiaca, Olea Africana and Neem.
A statement said DIO’s Kenya team has continued to increase its environmental and sustainability performance in recent years.
In addition to planting native trees and aloes across the theBATUK training areas, enhancements have been targeted in recycling and waste management.
DIO and BATUK continue to work with and support the local community with initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and borehole solar conversions.
Brigadier Jonathan Bartholomew, the DIO Head Overseas and Training Region, said ensuring that military training takes full account of the environmental sensitivity of each training area is vital in order for training to be sustainable across the Laikipia and Samburu counties.
“My team continues to build a strong working relationship with the community and has benefited from the technical support of environmental specialists from organisations such as the National Museum of Kenya, the University of Nairobi and Mpala Research Centre over the past decade. We are proud to be able to support these initiatives.”