Lotto Foundation has launched the 10 Million Trees Campaign as it joined the Government of Kenya and other stakeholders to mark the International Day of Forests, national celebrations, held on 21st March 2023, at at Marmanet forest in Laikipia county.
Lotto launched the tree planting campaign in conjunction with Athletics Kenya (AK), WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature International), Kass International Media, SEI (Stockholm Environment Institute) and The Ministry of Interior through the State Department of Correctional Services.
The Ministry of Interior will be providing 5 Million seedlings.Lotto will also be providing fruit trees and vegetable seedlings to the locals.
The campaign kicked off with planting 50,000 seedlings at the forest in Marmanet.
The tree planting exercise begun with Marmanet which has over 250 hectares that need rehabilitation, and then scale up to other forests.
The International Day of Forests seeks to raise awareness on the importance of all types of forests for environmental, social and economic benefits. The theme for this year’s celebrations was “Forests and Health.”
Lotto Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Joan Mwaura (third left) joins stakeholders in a tree planting exercise in marking the International Forest Day at Marmanet Forest in Laikipia County
The Principal Secretary In Charge of the State Department For Correctional Services Mary Muthoni , Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu and Lotto Foundation CEO Dr Joan Mwaura, joined the community in planting 100,000 drought resistant trees and fruit trees at Marmanet forest Laikipia county.
During the celebrations, Lotto Foundation, Athletics Kenya, WWF, Kass Media,SEI (Stockholm Environment Institute),The Ministry of Interior through correctional services and the locals of Laikipia participated in a match to the Marmanet forest for a tree planting session.
Lotto Foundation also distributed grass seedlings to the locals as part of the celebrations.
Lotto in its projects strives for better environmental management, community empowerment, and livelihood improvement using tree-planting as an entry point.
Lotto Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr Joan Mwaura, underscored the significance of sustainable production and conservation of environmental resources to mitigate the effects of climate change and achievement of the presidential directive of a 10 per cent nationwide forest cover by the end of the year 2022.
She pledged Lotto’s continued support to the government of Kenya in its efforts to enhance forest management and restoration initiatives, which is key to achieving agricultural growth.
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