Roots Without Borders (RWB) in partnership with Greenstand and FairTree has supported the regeneration of over 10,000 new Acacia trees in Samburu, Kenya. Our growers are being payed to regenerate the trees from existing stumps and shrubby acacias. These techniques, known as farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) are gaining in popularity around the world as a low-cost, yet highly effective strategy for growing new trees.

In Samburu, the Acacia tortilis tree (aka Vachelia tortilis, or Ltepes in Kisamburu) is a native, keystone species that is essential for wildlife, livestock and humans alike in this arid landscape. While it is threatened by overuse for firewood and charcoal production, this species is valued as a critical source of forage by herders during the dry season. At its driest, some of Samburu’s only greenery available for livestock is the acacia’s leaves and protein-rich seedpods. As the climate changes, and droughts become more unpredictable, herders are turning more and more to this critical resource as a lifeline in maintaining their semi-nomadic way of life.

We’ve employed over a dozen growers during our pilot stage, all of whom earn income by regenerating and maintaining trees in and around their own communities. The growers have already found several creative ways to educate and involve their neighbors in their efforts. Some of the most productive growers have regenerated more than 200 trees a day, earning more than they otherwise could with other types of work in the area. Moreover, they set their own pace and schedule, meaning they never have to choose reforestation over family, furthering their education or other work opportunities. With their earnings they are paying rent, buying food and clothes for their families, paying their children’s school fees and investing in their own education - all while greening their communities.