Friends of Karura Forest

…by presiding over the inauguration of the KFEET Centre Auditorium. Many dignitaries were present, such as the Hon. Judy Wakhungu (Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources), the Chairman of the Board and Director of KFS, senior officers from major corporate sponsors such as Kenya Shell (now Vivo Energy) Barclays Bank and Davis & Shirliff, the Board Members of the Oshwal Education and Relief Board, KFEET, FKF, neighbouring Residents’ Associations, officials from the Greenbelt Movement, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and UNEP. More photos can be viewed here.

Davis & Shirtliff executives, staff and family planted 1,100 trees as part of their Founder’s Day 2013 celebrations in Karura Forest. Pumps and plenty of water were provided to get the young trees going. More photos can be seen here.

Our new KaruraKam is providing an exciting glimpse into what’s going on after the gates close at 18:00 hours. The virtual capture of three Africa clawless otters on midnight of 4th Feb was a particular surprise: they are usually found closer to or in water and are usually diurnal. Maybe all the human traffic in the forest is forcing them to change their habits. See more images on our Facebook page, and stay tuned for more creatures…

KFK Chair Karanja Njeroge, KFS Director D.K. Mbugua and  KFS Director Nairobi Conservancy Charity Munyasaya discuss joint management in Karura Forest

The Kenya Forest Service and the Friends of Karura Forest Community Forest Association have signed a 5-year Forest Management Agreement. The far-reaching and forward-looking document is a major milestone for stakeholder citizen involvement in joint-stewardship with government of an important national resource. The terms of the agreement cover such areas as security (electric fence, manned gates and associated infrastructure), conservation (reforestation, resource management, controlled access), and eco-friendly activities in support of conservation, education, science and recreation; as well as shared financial accountancy for all joint activities. Basically, the agreement enshrines the principles of cooperation that have hallmarked the phenomenal re-emergence of Karura as a protected national heritage since 2009, when the FKF was chartered as a community forest association.

Karanja Njeroge, FKF Deputy Chair Cristina Boelcke-Croze, KFS County Coordinator Stephan Kahunyo and Charity Munyasaya discuss the terms of the Agreement

2012 appears to have been the wettest year in 67 years: nearly twice the long-term average (dotted line in chart on right). Rainfall measurements taken near the Karura’s southern boundary since 1945 at the Muthaiga Country Club suggest that only the famous flood year 1963 came close to the 1,770 mm (70″) measured along the Gitathuru River last year.

The April 2012 total of 512 mm was the most ever recorded for that month, and December’s 300 mm was second only to Dec ’63.  Moreover, records in recent years show an increasing annual trend (solid blue line in chart).  Anyone still doubt the climate is changing?

Further to the earlier post below asking for help in the KFS Nursery, we also invite volunteers to join the FKF Scouts patrolling the forest trails, helping to clear Lantana and collect litter. If interested, please contact John Chege, Chief Scout on 0724 215423.

FKF is still looking for plant-lovers to help out in the KFS nursery: to collect seedlings from the forest, to plant, pot or re-pot. A great between-term, free-morning or retiree pastime. Note that the Nursery is closed on weekends.

The KFS Nursery feels like more of a garden than a commercial plant enterprise. Well worth a visit, to browse, buy, work or just sit. It’s just north of the KFS Headquarters. You can drive through the FKF main gate off Kiambu Road or walk from junctions 14 or 22 (see map).

Contact: Cristina Boelcke-Croze (0722-204861 or cboelcke@karurafriends.org) for more information. The Karura Forester, John Orwa, 0727-818963, or his deputy, Fredrick Mutisya, 0722-581402, can give you details about access and timing.