ECOSYSTEM
Restoration…
Tree planting lies at the heart of the Eldoret-Iten Water Fund’s restoration efforts, carried out in close collaboration with local Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and schools across the catchment. Currently, the Water Fund supports six active CFAs namely, Cheptongei, Kapyego, Cherangani, Sabor, Kipkabus, and Nabkoi, each working within their designated forest blocks. Through the provision of indigenous seedlings by the Eldoret-Iten Water Fund and technical support from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), these communities are leading the charge in restoring degraded landscapes.
To ensure long-term impact, tree survival assessments are routinely conducted, along with beating-up exercises to replace any seedlings that may not have survived, making this more than just a one-time activity, but a commitment to restoration.
Beyond forests, the Eldoret-Iten Water Fund is also greening learning institutions. Primary and secondary schools across the watershed are engaged in tree planting efforts, with regular distribution of indigenous and fruit tree seedlings. In some schools, tree planting days are organized as experiential learning events, nurturing a generation of young environmental stewards. Through school orchards, particularly with high-value avocado trees, the Water Fund is also helping schools explore long-term benefits including nutrition, environmental health, and potential income. By placing communities and students at the centre of restoration, the Water Fund continues to turn tree planting into a powerful movement of ecological care and resilience.