Clubs in Rotary District 9212 Plant 17,318 Trees Under The Adopt-a-River Initiative

Volunteers planting trees under the Adopt-A-River Initiative

In efforts to clean and restore rivers as well as reach the United Nations Environment Programme recommended tree cover of 10% in the country, Rotary and Rotaract clubs have so far planted a total of 17,318 tree seedlings.

Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Ruiru, Rotary and Rotaract Club of Limuru, Rotary Club of Ngong Hills, Rotary Club of Thika, Rotary Club of Ridgeways, Rotary Club of Muthaiga North, Rotaract Club of Naivasha, Rotary Club of Gachie, Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Kikuyu have weekly tree planting programs. Other clubs that have been extremely supportive are Rotary Club of Langata, Rotary Club of Gigiri, Lavington Eco Club and individual Rotarians and Rotaractors.

Between July 12-18 2020, about 1,853 tree seedlings were planted in the following order: 133 trees at Ruiru Girls Secondary, 400 trees at Ngarariga Secondary, Ngarariga Primary and Catholic Church in Limuru, 110 trees at Nyacaba Primary and Witeithie Catholic in Juja, 250 trees at Githiga Boys Githunguri, 430 trees in Mathare River Kariobangi North Ward, 130 trees in Naivasha and 400 tree seedlings at Ngong Hills Forest.

The tree planting is part of the ‘Adopt-a-River Initiative’ which was launched at fourteen falls in 2018 in a ceremony led by the District Environment Chair Janet Macharia.

A memorandum of understanding between Rotary District 9212, represented by Immediate Past District Governor Joe Otin, and the United Nations Environment Programme was signed in December 2019. On the same day, Rotararians from more than 60 clubs were trained on cleaning rivers.

“The Adopt-a-River committee requests Rotary and Rotaract Clubs to join the holistic approach to environmental conservation in the country,’’ the Adopt-a-River Committee Chairman Mburu Machua said. “Clubs are requested to identify a sub-county to plant seedlings amongst other environmental programs.

Rotary and Rotaract clubs should also involve other stakeholders for sustainability reasons. Rotary District 9212 is upscaling and fast-tracking the program after Rotary International embraced environment as an area of focus and in recognition that we need to plant about 2 billion seedlings to reach 10% tree cover as recommended by UNEP.” Machua said.

The initiative is working closely with local communities, particularly those living next to rivers. The team is also seeking environmental champions from different Rotary, Rotaract and Interact clubs, their families, friends and other stakeholders to make the dream of planting at least 2 billion tree seedlings before 2022 come true.

To join this movement of change-makers, reach out to the chairman, Rtn Mburu Machua on +254722879409 or his assistant, Rtn Julius Kihoro on +254722262147. ADOPT A RIVER!