Kapenguria Division Assistant County Commissioner, Ruth Wachera has taken a proactive role for a more environmentally friendly future by promoting the growing of tree seedlings by reusing waste Milk Packets to raise tree seedlings.
Ms. Wachera said she established the tree nursery initiative in December 2022 in response to the presidential directive to plant 15 billion trees by the year 2032.
She said that in her role as an Assistant County Commissioner responsible for implementing presidential directives through chiefs and assistant chiefs, she contemplated how she could establish a precedent by establishing a tree nursery as part of the tree-planting initiative to support the president’s bid to increase forest cover by 2032.
Wachera said that she believes that by planting more trees, individuals can safeguard the ecological balance and ensure a sustainable future.
Ms. Wachera encourages individuals, as well as public institutions such as primary, and secondary schools and government offices, to consider establishing tree nurseries within their enclosed environments.
‘‘It is easy to start and run a tree nursery, and I want to encourage everyone to try their fortune in the tree planting initiative for a more environmentally sustainable future,’’ she encouraged.
The administrator expressed her preference for planting trees in public schools and institutions, highlighting that learners in schools actively contribute by digging holes, planting trees, and assisting with watering them.
She further said that the involvement of learners in tree-planting exercises would enable them to become key participants in addressing climate change.
She stated that by establishing a tree nursery, institutions can serve as a valuable environmental and educational tool for children, fostering their understanding of environmental conservation and enhancing their skills in the environment.
The administrator expressed her commitment to promoting environmental conservation by cultivating tree seedlings for reforestation and establishing green woodlots in public institutions.
She stressed the importance of trees in preventing soil erosion, supplying clean water, fresh air, shade, and nourishment for people, animals, and vegetation.
Additionally, she underscored the role of trees in enhancing the aesthetic appeal of their natural surroundings.
Ms. Wachera said that trees are crucial in combating climate change as they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the main cause of global warming.
‘‘Planting more trees can help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and mitigate the effects of climate change,’’ she said.
In the Kapenguria Division tree nursery, she mentioned that they are cultivating a variety of exotic and indigenous seedlings. These include approximately 800 Korrelach (Croton) seedlings, 400 seedlings of the Syzygium Guineense tree, 3500 Cyprus seedlings, and around 2000 seedlings that have not yet been transplanted into collected and cleaned waste milk pouches. Additionally, there are a few pawpaw, white sapote, and avocado tree seedlings.
She nurtures the tree seedling with the aid of persons attached to her office under the Community Service Order under the supervision of the Probation and Aftercare Services.
She utilises waste milk pouches, which can be easily obtained from markets, homes, and institutions.
She said waste milk pouches are washed thoroughly and then filled with a mixture of soil containing sand, ashes, and regular soil. Afterward, water is added to the pouches to allow the germination of the tree seedlings.
‘‘We put the tree seedlings into milk pouches by reusing them since they provide a coating rather than using the polythene material, which is very difficult to find nowadays following the National Environmental Management Authority ban on using single plastic bags,’’ she explained.
After establishing a bed for tree seedlings, she mentioned the importance of watering the seedlings so that they can grow. Once they have grown, you can then transfer them into waste milk pouches.
She stated that the reason she uses waste milk pouches is that they are easily available, ecologically friendly, of good quality, and capable of retaining water even during the dry season.
Ms. Wachera mentioned that once she collects waste milk packets, they are cleaned, and dried. She looks for soil beneath an indigenous tree. The soil dug is blended with sand and ashes, emphasising that this process was crucial for providing the tree seedlings with excellent nutrients.
Ms. Wachera explains that ashes contain high levels of potassium, sodium, and magnesium, which are essential for the formation of tree seedlings.
The Assistant County Commissioner encouraged individuals and institutions who are interested in planting trees in the long rains within her jurisdiction to contact her for a donation of tree seedlings.
By Anthony Melly
