On a weekly basis a team from the Colobus Trust go to Kaya Ukunda, an area of sacred forest, and plant trees as part of their forest restoration scheme. First of all we loaded the truck with barrels of water, tools and saplings from the tree nursery. We also needed our black ’skirts’ to wear as we are working in a sacred area and do not wish to offend the ancestors. After a short but extremely bumpy drive along dirt roads we are deposited at the site to start watering and planting.
Lynne Colobologist
2 Comments posted on "Tree Planting at Kaya Ukunda"
Jophie on February 16th, 2007 at 7:40 am
Due to deforestation and land grabbing some places in ‘kaya’ ukunda in Diani are left empty without even a single tree. Some of these bushes have been cleared by developers who want to either build their private houses or for business purposes. This morning I had a team of volunteers and staff from the colobus trust. This team helped in watering the already planted trees and planting new ones. This activity started early in the morning before the hot sun and the team managed to water all those 60 saplings planted. Also news holes were dug for planting more trees. We all thought as a team what will happen after 20 years to come if all these trees survive? Oooh… there will be a very thick forest which will be a good home for wild animals especially monkeys.What a good and cool home. Philip Ndiritu, Staff Member
Samantha on February 23rd, 2007 at 6:36 am
Really interesting post.. thanks very much. Best, Samantha Post a comment
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Whilst I start watering the previously planted trees the stronger members of the team start to dig holes. Strenuous work as there is only a thin layer of top soil and then solid coral rock. Planting the trees involves putting a large handful of dry manure at the bottom of the hole before placing the sapling and covering with what top soil there is. Straw is placed at the base of the new tree to help retain moisture and the sapling is then watered in well. Apparently, according to Phil and Robert, it also helps if you tell the tree “maisha marefu” (Long life in swahili) as you plant it!
The job is finished when we run out of manure for planting. Still 43 trees planted today is not bad going! Very hot and dirty we are collected and returned to the Trust for a well deserved shower and lunch!
The Colobus Trust was established in Diani Beach, Kenya, in 1997 to save the endangered Angolan colobus monkey which was a frequent victim of roadkills. The Trust's trademark is Colobridges - bridges over the roads for save overpass. Gwili, a Welsh volunteer at the Trust reports on the day to day activities in an busy local primate conservation charity 
