Partnership with ICRAF – Strengthening Native Tree Restoration Systems

We held further discussions with ICRAF to explore collaboration under “The Right Tree, in the Right Place for the Right Purpose (RTRP) Seed Project,” funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and implemented through a consortium of partners. The project seeks to improve the availability and quality of native tree planting materials across five countries by matching species to appropriate sites, addressing seed-system and policy gaps, establishing breeding and seed-source orchards on both public and private land, expanding nursery and seed-collection capacity, and strengthening regional knowledge exchange through targeted training.

Key Outcomes

• Laikipia Conservancies Association confirmed its role as a coordinating body for 32 member conservancies in Laikipia

• Agreement reached on a community-centered and consultative approach to restoration planning

• Planned technical ground-truthing visit and inception workshop to define species selection, workplans, and budgets

• Alignment on strengthening national seed systems, including seed-source mapping, nursery development, and policy engagement

Partnership Direction and Value

The partnership will co-develop terms of reference to guide implementation of the five-year project across five conservancies. Partners will also initiate stakeholder identification and engagement processes, alongside selection of suitable native seed species for the landscape.

This initiative is critical as it shifts tree planting and restoration approaches toward ecological suitability and community needs. It directly supports rangeland restoration goals, strengthens ecosystem resilience, and improves the quality and survival rates of indigenous trees across the landscape.