The Big Fig planting site is nestled along a steep escarpment that delineates the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley. It is situated in Kijabe-Kinale Forest, near Kijabe town in Kiambu County, approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Kinale Forest is a government-gazetted forest, ensuring its preservation and sustainable management through a land tenure system.
The Kijabe Forest is part of the eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot and is a transitional area between upland forests and drier savannah habitats in East Africa. The forest boasts diverse flora and fauna, including significant tree species like Olea europaea, Juniperus procera (East African Juniper), and the fast-growing Croton megalocarpus. Notable animal residents of the forest include leopards, spotted hyenas, Maasai bushbucks, suni, eland, honey badgers, aardvarks, and black and white colobus monkeys. Birdlife International has designated Kijabe Forest as a Kikuyu Escarpment Forest Important Bird Area (IBA).
The forest provides essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, and hydrological services, among others. It also produces forest products such as fuelwood, seeds, and honey, which benefit over 200,000 residents in the watershed.
Once densely covered with a closed canopy, the forest has been extensively logged for charcoal production, resulting in numerous treeless hills and steep slopes. Erosion has become a significant problem. The focus of planting efforts is the enhancement of biodiversity, by reintroducing canopy species like Vachellia abyssinica or "flat top acacia," which are crucial in providing ecosystem services and wildlife habitat.
The planting teams residing in the neighboring community have limited access to full-time employment opportunities. Engaging in planting and monitoring within this area is anticipated to contribute to the provision of regular income, enabling individuals to save, invest, and plan, consequently alleviating the burden on the forest ecosystem.
Eden People + Planet (formerly Eden Reforestation Projects) advances ecosystem restoration and community development by implementing nature-based solutions. Through collaborative efforts with communities, the organization works towards mitigating climate change while supporting individuals' participation in restoring their natural habitat.