When was the last time you PLANTED a tree?

Trees.

Since the beginning, trees have furnished us with two of life’s essentials, food, and oxygen. Today, their value continues to increase as their role expands to satisfy the needs created by our modern lifestyles.

The importance of trees in our society cannot be underscored. We can all agree on that.

So, when was the last time you planted a tree? Hold that thought and as you walk with me.

Allow me to take you through what the Adopt-A-River Committee has been up to, on matters tree planting.

For starters, Rotary District 9212, in close collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, formalized an initiative to restore inland fresh water ecosystems in the region. This was done through an ambitious project dubbed the “Adopt-a-River” initiative for Sustainable Development.

Following this initiative, 5 Rotary Clubs under the target area, came together to join forces in the adopt-a-river initiative.

The five clubs are as follows: Rotary Club of Thika, Rotary Club of Thika West, Rotary Club of Nairobi – Thika Road, Rotary Club of Ruiru and the Rotary Club of Murang’a

Rotarian Mburu Machua, President of the Rotary Club of Ruiru, was tasked with leading the initiative, perhaps owing to his passion for environmental matters. Through his guidance, a team comprising of Rotarians from the 5 clubs, rotaractors, and volunteers, was set up and has been spearheading the initiative.

The Adopt-A-River committee has since spread further its wings of service to the community and joined hands with the Rotary Club of Ruiru, the Rotaract club of Ruiru, the Rotaract Club of Kenyatta University and Rotaract club of Karura to embark on an ambitious tree-planting program in different schools with the hope of planting 1 million trees per County.

Yes. 1 million trees per County.

The expanded committee has resolved to consistently embark on a weekly program as well as work closely with other stakeholders.

Under this new partnership, the committee has planted an impressive 2,812 seedlings with a 97percent survival rate in the following schools:

512 seedlings planted at Kigwe Primary School in Juja Sub County
800 seedlings planted at Githiga Primary School in Githunguri Sub County
100 seedlings planted at Miiri Primary School in Githunguri Sub County,
200 seedlings planted at Githunguri Primary School, in Ruiru Sub County, Kiambu County
100 seedlings planted at Githunguri Secondary School in Ruiru Sub County, Kiambu County
50 seedlings planted at Gitothua Secondary School in Ruiru Sub County, Kiambu County
150 seedlings planted at Devki Secondary School in Ruiru Sub County, Kiambu County
100 seedlings planted at Kwa Ngethe Primary School in Ruiru Sub County, Kiambu County
100 seedlings planted at Mutuya Primary School in Ruiru Sub County, Kiambu County.
200 seedlings planted at Bibirion Primary and Secondary Schools in Limuru, Kiambu County.
250 seedlings planted at Kamirithu Primary and Secondary Schools in Limuru, Kiambu County.
150 seedlings planted at Kinyogori Primary School in Limuru, Kiambu County.
200 seedlings planted at Riverside Estate – Kenyatta Road, Juja Sub County, Kiambu County.

Trees strengthen the distinctive character of a place and encourage local pride. In this regard, all these efforts are geared towards conserving the environment by planting more trees.