Papariko - Kenya Blue Carbon

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Today Kenya faces high rates of deforestation which endanger its fauna and flora as well as people's well-being. During the last 60 years, the forest cover in the country has dropped by 40%, losing about 12,000 hectares annually. Poverty is the main driver for deforestation, as people have to rely on charcoal for cooking and have to clear forests for agriculture. The lack of knowledge about the impact of deforestation is also a big driver.

The project aims to restore 1500 hectares of severely degraded mangroves in Kwale, Kilifi and Tana River Counties during 2022-2024.

The potential for further replanting and forest protection is over 15,000 hectares. To realize this restoration potential, Vlinder is partnering with the Kenya Forest Service, a state corporation established to conserve, develop and sustainably manage forest resources, and Umita, an impact project management company. The planters for the project are all community people who live in the area and have been caring for the forests for years. With the expertise gained in the project, the local communities will become long-term ecosystem stewards and enable the project's long-term success.

To ensure the project's sustainability, Vlinder uses a community-based model to provide skills and jobs for the people who depend on mangroves for their livelihoods and support families and gender equality.

By conducting continuous plantation maintenance, protection, and monitoring for the entire project period of 30 years, Vlinder contributes to making the lives of thousands of people residing in the project area more resilient to extreme weather events.

Environmental benefits

Mangrove forests are biodiverse habitats of great ecological significance

1. Mangrove ecosystems serve as nurseries for fish, marine life and coral reefs, birds and animals
2. Mangrove roots act as a filtration system and capture silt preventing siltation in seagrass meadows and on coral reefs

Community benefits

The project introduces income generating activities and reduces poverty among the country's vulnerable coastal communities

1. New jobs for local people
2. Value-added livelihoods and new revenue streams (e.g. sustainable crab and shrimp farms, production of natural dyes from mangroves)
3. Community education and upskilling
4. Support to women: they make up more than 50% of the project's local staff
5. Improving food security and food diversity
6. Fully addressing community firewood needs by providing woodlots and solar-powered cookstoves
7. Protecting people in the project area from extreme weather events (tsunamis, floods)

"We at Umita have over 20 years of experience in community engagement and social development. The aspirations of the communities take centre-stage in our interventions. Having the full support of the Kenya Forest Service is very important to the success of our project and its long-term sustainability. We are happy to partner with Vlinder as they understand the value of our community-first approach."

Isabella Masinde CEO at Umita