iSafiri

Taita Hills forests hold exceptional concentrations of endemic species due to their unique location and climatic conditions. Despite their clear biological value, forests in the area have been devastated by decades of deforestation. Ninety eight percent of the original forest has been lost over the last 200 years, and the total area of indigenous cloud forest is now approximately 450 ha.

 The Taita Apalis (Apalis fuscigularis), is the most endangered bird in Kenya and one of the rarest bird in the world. Indeed, without swift action, the Taita Apalis is predicted to be extinct within 10 years. It is confined to some of the small fragments of forest in the Taita Hills in southeastern Kenya.

Preventing the extinction of the Taita Apalis requires urgent protection of the remaining forest fragments. Population recovery requires the restoration of degraded forests and improved forest connectivity.

 Nature Kenya is on track to perpetually secure some 15% of the last remaining population of the Taita Apalis through a land purchase project funded by the Rainforest Trust. The project aims to address the problem of forest habitat fragmentation and degradation, through purchasing 14.24 ha of critical forest habitat, and working with key stakeholders in actively restoring and formally protecting these forests.

 In addition, this project seeks to connect two forest blocks; Vuria community forest and privately owned and leased Msidunyi forest. Purchase of the privately owned land parcels between these two forest blocks will directly support suitable habitat for 15% of the global Taita Apalis population. With the secured land parcels, forest connectivity will be restored through planting of indigenous tree species, systematically reducing the exotic tree species cover.

 The land purchase project builds on an existing project of securing a 25 - year lease of an important 6.28 ha indigenous forest fragment in the Vuria landscape, called Msidunyi. The long-term vision for the Taita Hills is to develop a program of forest restoration, management and protection in the Vuria landscape, including Vuria Community Forest.

As part of continued resource mobilization, Nature Kenya will this month be holding its 7th annual charity golf tournament dubbed ‘Lungs for Kenya’ with proceeds of this campaign being channeled to restore Kenya’s degraded indigenous forests particularly the Taita Hills forest fragments. The forest restoration has the potential to provide ideal habitat for a further 10% of the Taita Apalis population. The local community groups are also playing a key role in the sustainability of conservation efforts, through among others, activities such as on farm tree planting. Benefits derived from community activities include improved ecosystem services such as water catchment and soil conservation, and potential increase in suitable Taita Apalis forest habitat.

Nature Kenya, through funding from the Darwin Initiative, has been supporting site support groups living adjacent to the Taita Hills forests to engage in income generating activities that reduce pressure on the environment. In addition to tree planting, other activities include weaving, bee keeping, butterfly farming and eco-tourism.