See Our History
MERCFA is optimitic that thorough collaborations and interactions with other stakeholders, we will achieve significant improvement on environment and sustainable development to the benefit of the current and future generations.
Capacity Building
MERCFA considers capacity building as an integral part in environmental conservation and livelihood development and through this we support community empowerment through awareness on the national governing policies both at the national and county levels. These policies include the Kenya Constitution 2010, Forest Conservation and management Act 2016, Acts relating to Devolution Act 2012 among others.
We also train community on Participatory Forest Management (PFM) process at which farmers are empowered on environment conservation and protection to containing the climate change effects that have already been witnessed.
MERCFA has trained community members on quality tree seeds and seedling production and through this, members have established tree nurseries with capacity of producing seedlings of indigenous, exotics, Bamboo and fruit trees of different species.
These seedlings are used to establish plantations in the forest and adjacent farmland areas. Indigenous seedlings are used to rehabilitate degraded areas in the forest and in farmlands. Bamboos are used to restore wetlands and riparian areas while fruit trees promote income generating activities for livelihood improvement. Members also sell surplus tree seedlings from the nurseries to generate money for sustaining the activity.
Rehabilitation of degraded areas
MERCFA uses tree and bamboo seedlings from their nursery to rehabilitate degraded areas in the forest and adjacent farmlands. This includes wetlands restoration and riparian areas.
In collaboration with other stakeholders we have been able to rehabilitate Gachuthi and Gatuikira natural forests where we have Prof Wangari Maathai memorial site established in 2011 in memory of the environment conservationist. Other notable area is restoration of wetlands and swamps at which we have initiated Soweto, Guthithima and Ondiri swamps. MERCFA has also establishment over 50 parks in schools and social areas in Kiambu County..
Energy conservation
Increasing human population translates to increased demands including fuelwood. Over 80% of domestic energy need and especially rural areas of Kenya is from fuelwood and the reason for MERCFA promoting use of energy saving stoves (kuni mbili jiko) to reducing firewood usage.
In 2013, MERCFA through support by the Green Zones Development Support Project (GZDSP) intorduced an energy saving pilot project by providing 60 households with kuni mbili jikos. Kuni Mbili jiko is a two in one because it can use firewood and charcoal alternatively. It has a clay lining that makes it retain heat.
Survey conducted in 2016 proved that the stoves reduce by half the firewood used in these households. Below photo was selected by Commonwealth Forestry Association for screening at the Lighthouse Gallery in Glasgow, the host city of the commonwealth games from 11th April to 24th October 2014 (Ref: www.cfa-international.org)
The same photo was used as a cover page for the commonwealth Forestry Association International Forestry Review (IFR) magazine Vol.18(3) 2016.
Commercial Plantations
MERCFA promotes and support establishment commercial plantations for income generation. Through Plantation establishment and livelihood improvement scheme (PELIS) we support farmers and institutions to establish plantations using eucalyptus, cupressus lusitanica, pines, and grevillea robusta tree species.
Since 2010 when we established first plantations, farmers have been able to harvest plantations, sold and have improved livelihoods. Institutions have also benefited their plantations and proceeds from the same used to renovate schools and braches used in school feeding programmes.
Forest protection
Unemployment and livelihood challenges are some of causes of forest destruction. Illegal harvesting of forest products has led to forest degradation. Other causes are forest fires and dumping of waste in the forest.
MERCFA conducts forest protection through community policing and reporting illegal activities to the forest authority. Other protection activities include fires break maintenance, firefighting and collection of waste. This has resulted to improved Muguga Ecosystem.
Livelihood improvement
MERCFA also conducts activities of sustainable agriculture, (cabbage, strawberry farming) dairy goat rearing, poultry, and bee-keeping as income generating towards livelihood improvement. This has minimized forest destruction..