By buying and planting a seedling you can take an active part in conserving the last remaining rain forest in Kenya. The tree will be growing in a deforested area within the forest that will gradually become tree-covered once again. Your chosen seedling will bear your name and will be protected and cared for by KEEP members until it is mature.

By assisting this reforestation program, you will be:

      increasing the habitat and food supply of numerous birds, monkeys, squirrels amd insects which feed on leaves, fruits, and flowers of forest tree species

      helping to link separated fragments of forest which, as small units alone, are unable to support the full range of biodiversity

      helping to control climate since the rainfall of a region is directly linked to its forest cover

      helping to conserve specific tree species when you choose to plant a tree type seriously threatened by illegal poaching

      contributing to a botanical garden that will be used as an educational tool to enable

      the teaching of tree planting and rearing

      the teaching of tree species identification

      to monitor the effect of reforestation on biodiversity

      boosting the moral of local conservation movement

      planting a symbol of hope and growth!

Some examples of threatened species available at the KEEP nursery:

Prunus africana is now a rare species due to unsustainable harvesting for medicinal purposes. An infusion made from its leave is a local remedy for malaria, its roots and bark are used to cure venereal diseases, and the bark is also in high demand from the pharmaceutical industry as a cure for prostrate cancer. read more...

Ficus thoningii. The fruits of this tree are highly sought after in the forest by birds, monkeys and squirrels. However, it has become a threatened species due in part due to the harvest of its bark for medicinal purposes and in part due to the traditional belief that it should be planted only to mark special occasions or places, such as the grave of a chief or leader. read more...

Olea capensis. This is threatened in the wild because of its high value as timber and for the medicinal qualities of its bark. read more...

Other tree species available:

Maesopsis eminii - see factsheet

Croton megalocarpus - see factsheet

Bosqueia phoberos – edible fruits, saved people from starving around 1980

Funtumia latifolia – medicinal value

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