The Forest Challenge 2025 underscores the urgent need for environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and the restoration of Kenya’s vital ecosystems. PHOTO/ EAWLS.
By TIM KARIUKI
Kenya’s fight against deforestation and forest degradation takes centre stage this November with the 10Th Edition of the Forest Challenge 2025, set to be held at the scenic Kereita Forest in Kiambu County.
This prestigious annual event, a collaboration between the East African Wildlife Society (EAWLS), the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and the Kijabe Environment Volunteers (KENVO), aims to unite individuals, communities, and organisations in a collective effort to restore and protect the country’s dwindling forests.
With the theme; “Greening Kenya: One Tree at a Time”, the Forest Challenge 2025 underscores the urgent need for environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and the restoration of Kenya’s vital ecosystems.
This year’s edition will bring together participants from diverse sectors, including government officials, corporate entities, environmental groups, and the public, to engage in a series of fun yet impactful forest-based activities designed to promote awareness and action for forest protection.
Kenya, like many countries around the world, faces significant challenges related to forest degradation. Forests are critical to the country’s ecological balance; they provide essential services such as water catchment, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Yet, Kenya’s forests are under threat from illegal logging, unsustainable agricultural practices, urbanisation, and wildfires, all of which contribute to a rapid loss of forest cover.
The Mau Forest Complex, one of Kenya’s most vital water catchment areas, has been particularly hard-hit by deforestation. The Mau is the largest indigenous montane forest in East Africa and is the lifeline for millions of Kenyans who depend on it for water.
Unfortunately, decades of encroachment and exploitation have resulted in massive deforestation, soil erosion, and the loss of biodiversity. The Kenya Forest Service has taken several steps to address these challenges, but the road to recovery remains long and difficult.
The threat of deforestation extends beyond the Mau, with other critical forest ecosystems also facing the same fate. From the Aberdare Range to Mount Kenya, Kenya’s highland forests are rapidly disappearing, jeopardising both the country’s environment and its economy.
Forests are not only crucial for water supply and biodiversity but also for the livelihoods of many communities. PHOTO/ EAWLS.
Kereita Forest, the site for this year’s Forest Challenge, is one such area that has been severely impacted by human activity. This forest, once teeming with biodiversity, has faced pressures from agriculture, logging, and encroachment.
The Forest Challenge, now in its 10th year, is more than just an event; it’s a movement aimed at addressing Kenya’s forest crisis. Each year, the challenge brings together teams who engage in a series of conservation-themed activities, from tree planting to forest clean-up drives, all while fostering a sense of competition and camaraderie.
These activities help raise awareness about the urgent need for forest protection and restoration in Kenya.
The event offers participants a chance to get hands-on and engage directly with nature. As teams work together to complete various forest-based challenges, they also learn about the importance of protecting forests, the role they play in mitigating climate change, and how sustainable land management practices can make a difference.
The Forest Challenge provides a unique opportunity for participants to gain a deeper understanding of Kenya’s forestry issues and how they can make a tangible impact.
Among those attending the event will be several prominent figures, each playing a vital role in Kenya’s conservation efforts. They include; Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, Chief Conservator of Forests at the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), will be the Chief Guest.
Mr. Lemarkoko has been at the forefront of Kenya’s efforts to tackle deforestation, championing policies aimed at improving forest management and restoration.
Ms. Nancy Ogonje, the Executive Director of the East African Wildlife Society (EAWLS), will highlight the societal and environmental importance of forests, urging all sectors to prioritise sustainability and conservation.
Mr. Nelson Muiru, the Executive Director of Kijabe Environment Volunteers (KENVO), will share insights into the role of community-based organisations in forest conservation and the significance of grassroots efforts in reversing environmental degradation.
Together, these leaders will emphasise the need for coordinated efforts and collective action to restore and protect Kenya’s forest ecosystems.
The Mau Forest Complex, one of Kenya’s most vital water catchment areas, has been particularly hard-hit by deforestation. PHOTO/ EAWLS.
The Forest Challenge is a testament to the power of partnerships, showing that through joint action, significant strides can be made towards achieving long-term environmental goals.
Events like the Forest Challenge are vital in raising public awareness about the ongoing battle against deforestation. The challenges presented by forest degradation are not just environmental; they have socio-economic consequences as well.
Forests are not only crucial for water supply and biodiversity but also for the livelihoods of many communities. The loss of forests affects agriculture, water availability, and the overall health of the population.
By raising awareness through fun and engaging activities, the Forest Challenge 2025 aims to mobilise support for forest conservation and restoration initiatives. Public participation in such events fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment, creating a culture of conservation that can extend beyond the event itself.
The awareness generated from events like this can also push for policy change and the implementation of sustainable practices by both the government and corporate sectors.
At a time when the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, the Forest Challenge encourages proactive measures, such as tree planting and forest restoration, which can have significant benefits for carbon sequestration, water retention, and biodiversity.
The 10th Edition of the Forest Challenge 2025 offers more than just a competitive event; it’s a powerful call to action. The challenge reminds us all that every effort counts in the battle to save Kenya’s forests.
Whether it’s planting a single tree, supporting forest protection initiatives, or simply changing our attitudes towards nature, every step counts towards creating a greener, more sustainable future for Kenya.
As the event unfolds on November 29, 2025, participants, sponsors, and organisers will stand united in their commitment to “greening Kenya”.
Together, they will not only raise awareness about the importance of Kenya’s forests but also contribute to tangible solutions that can help restore the country’s vital ecosystems—one tree at a time.
The Forest Challenge is an annual event designed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting Kenya’s forests. Organised by the East African Wildlife Society, Kenya Forest Service, and Kijabe Environment Volunteers, the challenge has grown to become one of the most anticipated conservation events in Kenya, drawing participants from all walks of life.
