UoN Staff, Partners Join Hands in Annual Tree Growing Initiative at Upper Kabete Campus

In a demonstration of the link between environmental stewardship and pedagogical responsibility, staff from the University of Nairobi joined national partners in the institution’s Annual Tree Planting and Growing Initiative held on Thursday, April 2, at Upper Kabete Campus. 

The exercise, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, brought together staff, students and environmental stakeholders in a collective effort to advance climate resilience, biodiversity conservation and sustainable land restoration. Activities began at the Kantaria Agricultural Technology & Innovation Centre (KATIC), where participants received practical training on appropriate species selection, planting techniques and post-planting care to improve survival rates and long-term ecosystem recovery.

This year’s initiative was strengthened through collaboration with strategic partners including Safaricom PLC, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation, Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Forest Service and National Research Fund. The partners collectively donated 10,500 seedlings, including avocado and indigenous tree varieties, to support the University’s greening programme.

The University has set an annual target of planting 130,000 trees as part of its contribution to Kenya’s national goal of growing 15 billion trees. Officials from the Kenya Forest Service emphasized that the success of restoration efforts depends not on the number of seedlings planted, but on survival rates, species diversity and the ability of planted trees to restore ecosystem functions such as soil stability, water retention and habitat connectivity.

Reinforcing the focus on survival, representatives from the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation noted that their partnership with the University since 2022 has recorded survival rates of above 80 percent. Speaking during the exercise, Cyprian Kareithi said the collaboration has supported the planting of more than 10,000 seedlings over the period, with improved outcomes attributed to structured training, monitoring and follow-up care. He added that the partnership has also strengthened research on ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation, contributing to evidence-based environmental management.

Echoing the shared stewardship approach, representatives from the National Research Fund emphasized that ecosystem restoration is a shared responsibility among research institutions, government agencies and communities. They noted that collaborative initiatives such as the tree growing programme provide opportunities to generate research, support innovation and scale sustainable land restoration practices.

From the Kenya Defence Forces, Lt. Mutuku emphasized the importance of discipline and consistency in ensuring high survival rates. He noted that planting must be accompanied by protection, watering and monitoring to ensure seedlings mature and contribute to long-term ecosystem recovery.

Addressing participants, Prof. Hutchinson underscored the centrality of ecosystem health to sustainable development, noting that degraded ecosystems undermine food security, biodiversity and livelihoods. She said the University was deliberately strengthening partnerships to support restoration efforts that integrate teaching, research and community engagement.

“Today, every seedling planted is a step toward a more resilient and sustainable ecosystem. We are not just planting trees; we are growing a greener tomorrow together,” she said. “We are partnering very deliberately with strategic stakeholders to enhance food security and ensure environmental health remains central to development priorities. We cannot fully enjoy our rights if ecosystem health is compromised.”

She noted that healthy ecosystems support agricultural productivity, regulate climate, protect water catchments and sustain biodiversity, adding that universities have a responsibility to generate knowledge and model sustainable practices.

At KATIC, Bimal Kantaria spoke about ongoing initiatives, including plans to roll out artificial intelligence applications in agriculture to support climate-smart farming. He emphasized that innovation should enhance productivity while safeguarding soil health, water resources and biodiversity.

“Part of what we are doing today is demonstrating leadership and commitment to environmental stewardship. Sustainability demands partnerships, responsibility and a long-term vision. The time to grow trees is now,” he said.

Participants planted fruit and indigenous seedlings across designated sites, with emphasis placed on continued nurturing, monitoring and knowledge exchange to improve survival rates. The initiative reflects a shift from tree planting to tree growing, focusing on restoring ecological balance, strengthening biodiversity and enhancing resilience of landscapes to climate variability.