Philanthropic Landscape Restoration
A 154,000 hectare (ha) landscape restoration initiative designed to address the drivers of degradation affecting Kenya’s largest contiguous mangrove forest and inland coastal forests that are vital for supporting community livelihoods and providing habitats for endangered species.
Project Overview
Mangrove forests around the world are at the frontlines of climate change and community resilience. Drivers of forest degradation, such as unsustainable wood harvesting, El Niño flooding, and agricultural expansion have led to 14,400 hectares of mangrove and 112,000 hectares of inland coastal forest loss. The mangroves of Lamu County hold 60% of Kenya’s mangrove forest cover and provide important ecosystem services on a local and global scale.
Mangrove forest systems in this region have supported the economy for centuries, with fishing communities receiving an estimated 70% of their income from Lamu’s natural fisheries. Beyond the intertidal zone, the inland forests support mangroves by capturing freshwater into streams and groundwater that support mangrove forests. They also serve as critical habitats for wildlife movement, including endangered species such as the hirola and Ader’s duiker, rare antelopes.
Our work in Lamu has created some early landscape restoration wins, preparing us to broaden our long-term impact. To do this, we are co-developing a 15-20 year holistic landscape restoration initiative designed to address drivers of deforestation and improve local livelihoods. This approach encompasses:
We work with local stakeholders to build a practical vision for restoration.
Eden is scaling successful reforestation strategies, with the goal of bringing an additional 7,600 hectares of mangrove habitat under management. Eden's mangrove restoration work respects the diversity of the intertidal zone, ensuring that mudflats and saltflats are not converted through tree planting.
Eden has identified a mangrove buffer zone that it will monitor over the reforestation project period to understand local-level shifts in mangrove habitat as a result of climate change.
Eden will engage farmers in regenerative agriculture programs that improve tree cover on farms, support local food security, and create new livelihood opportunities.
Since 2020, our partnership with the Kenya Forest Service and community forest associations in Lamu County, Kenya, has led to the restoration of over 1,120 hectares of degraded mangrove forest. This initiative has generated over 50,000 working days for local residents, enhancing access to health services, education, and food security through income and microhealth insurance. We have developed and scaled two innovative strategies - the Mangrove Caregiver tree planting strategy and Avicennia marina germination cages to reduce crab predation – enhancing landscaping restoration outcomes for seed-propagated mangrove tree species.
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Reduce inequality within and among countries
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
ANTICIPATED IMPACT
The effectiveness of our initiative in Lamu is rooted in collaboration, underscoring the importance of collective support and action from local stakeholders, government institutions, and community organizations. By working together, we can make a transformative impact over the next 15 years by creating substantial benefits for communities and the environment, including:
With your support, we can generate a transformative global impact that fosters community well-being, mitigates climate change, and conserves natural habitats. Join us, and together we will restore environmental degradation, helping ensure a thriving world for all.
