The Turasha planting site, located about 20 kilometers north of Naivasha town in Nyandarua County, Kenya, is home to vibrant patches of Afromontane forest that need protection and expansive degraded areas that require transformation through restoration.
The forest in this region is teeming with a diverse range of trees, including the Tarchonanthus camphoratus, known as Leleshwa in Kenya. This small tree is widely found in Africa south of the Sahel and is esteemed for its medicinal properties. Additionally, the area is home to several species of the thorn tree genus Vachellia, previously known as Acacia. Among them, the Vachellia xanthophloea, or fever tree, stands out with its striking greenish-yellow bark. Another notable species is Vachellia tortilis, or umbrella thorn, a drought-resistant tree with its iconic umbrella-shaped canopy. These trees provide shelter for various bird species, with weavers like Speke's weaver (Ploceus spekei) taking advantage of the protection offered by the trees to build their intricate nests in the canopy. The Turasha planting site is a nurturing environment for bird species and other wildlife.
Turasha's planting site is named after the Turasha River, a primary tributary of the Malewa River. Runoff from the slopes of the Turasha Ridge and the Aberdare Range flows into the Malewa, which ultimately feeds Lake Naivasha. This renowned lake is a designated Ramsar site crucial in Kenya's tourism, horticulture, and floriculture industries. It is a vital water source in this semi-arid region. Restoring Turasha's forests would bring significant benefits to this interconnected ecosystem.
The Turasha site is located on land owned by the Kenya Agricultural Research Livestock Organization (KALRO) and has faced deforestation, which has impacted the 4,000-strong local Turasha community. To address this, the community partnered with KALRO and Eden: People + Planet (formerly Eden Reforestation Projects) to reforest and protect the area. KALRO designated its land as a protected zone for reforestation. Eden aims to combat climate change and aid in environmental restoration by working with the community.