We have taken our support a step further by working with Rhino Ark to identify key areas of the South West Mau Forest that are in need of rehabilitation, and have identified an area of 100 hectares that we will look to rehabilitate over the next 5 years - starting with a 10-hectare section this year.

Despite its ecological importance, the Mau Forests complex is steeped in a history of poor conservation management, systematic land excursions for human settlement and livestock grazing, encroachment, and illegal activities in the forest, and these issues are visibly prevalent in the South West Mau Forest. These historical and ongoing threats have resulted in significant degradation of the forest, particularly to the surrounding human settlements.

Through the Foundation’s support, the 10 hectares have been secured with micro fencing and 16,000 indigenous trees have been planted. The fencing and tree planting work has involved members of the local community, some of whom have been engaged on a longer-term basis to protect and maintain the site, generating much-needed income for members of the community.  

Rhino Ark has engaged two field staff who are assigned full-time to the project, a fence/community manager, an outreach officer, a site supervisor, and two scouts who will ensure that the site has the necessary protection and maintenance over the next three years. Also, they will ensure the seedlings grow beyond the point that they are susceptible to the effects of grazing by livestock and wildlife.