NATURE IS NOT A PLACE

TO VISIT, IT IS HOME

Drylands cover more than 40% of the world’s land surface and are home to more than two billion people. These areas, and the people, plants and animals that live in them, are predicted to face unprecedented threats due to climate change

Native Plants for Environment and People(NATIVE PEP)

WHAT WE DO?

Native PEP_Marigat plot Staline
Knowledge Management

Knowlede Management about the sustainability of native grasses, forbs and trees for land restoration

Native PEP Siha Nursery
Demo Trials

Establishing demo trials, creating awareness and training front actors about the benefits of native species for land restoration

strip seeding in grassland
Practices

Seed collection, plant propagation and land restoration

Marigat fodder trial July1
Land Restoration

Mainstraming the use of native plants for land restoration

STRENGTHENING LIVELIHOOD SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

The NATIVE PEP project aims to strengthen livelihood security and environmental health in selected regions in Kenya (Baringo and Isiolo counties) and Tanzania (Arusha and Kilimanjaro region) that are facing challenges such as rangeland degradation, deforestation, water scarcity and the spread of invasive alien plant species.

Through a participatory, community-based approach, the project empowers local stakeholders to identify and prioritize areas of the communal land for the implementation of nature-based solutions that also open up new income-generating opportunities.

To promote holistic and sustainable land use, Native PEP works with women, men and youth to restore native plant diversity across degraded rangelands, crop fields, forests and wetlands. Drawing on traditional and indigenous knowledge, complemented by modern scientific evidence, the project promotes mixtures of locally adapted plant species that improve food and fodder production, increase soil health, enhance resilience to drought, and support development of natural products.

THEORY OF CHANGE

Project Statement

Improving rural livelihoods in East Africa by selecting and using native plants for land regeneration and community forests within a holistic and sustainable land use approach

Inputs

Existing collaboration with stakeholders form national to local scale in both Kenya & Tanzania.

National Prosopis Strategy in Kenya & National Invasive Species Strategy in Tanzania

Scientific & practical expertise in grassland restoration

Outputs

Habitat-specific perfomance of native trees.

Grassland seed mixture and seeding technologies.

Align land management plans.
Dissemination through media & face-to-face exchange.

Training of frontline actors.
Monitoring and evaluation.

Outcomes

Collect and share knowledge of the value of native trees & grassland species for sustainable livelihood.

Real-life demonstrations.

Local stakeholders’ capacity & knowledge enhanced & applied.

Monitoring and evaluation of environmental benefits and proof of business concept.

Impact

Livelihood security & environmental integrity are strengthened in areas affected by deforestation & rangeland degradtion in Kenya & Tanzania, particulary in the target areas.

Mission

To strengthen livelihood security and environmental health in selected regions in Kenya and Tanzania affected by rangeland degradation, deforestation, and invasive alien trees.

FEATURED NEWS

Latest News, News, short stories

Where the Water Came Back, Springs of Hope

Where the Water Came Back, Springs of Hope In semi-arid landscapes, water is not just life; it’s survival, memory, and magic. So, when the springs dried up in places like Kiborgoch, Leparua, and Nasuulu, it felt like more than just a drought. It felt like the land was giving up. But the people didn’t. In […]
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Latest News, News, short stories

Feeding the Future, One Acre at a Time

Feeding the Future, One Acre at a Time In the dry zones of TingaTinga and Mawasiliano, West Kilimanjaro, where trees once stood tall and shade was abundant, the landscape had slowly thinned. Overuse of woodlands and relentless grazing left the soil bare and brittle. In Mawasiliano, the ground cracked and withered under the hooves of […]
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Latest News, News, short stories

Guardians of the Springs: How Communities in Isiolo Are Breathing Life Back into Water Sources

Restoring Nature: How Native PEP Featured at World Wildlife Day in Kenya Nestled in the arid landscapes of Isiolo County, where water is not just a necessity but a lifeline, two springs (Darajani in Leparua and Nomad-Esmit in Nasuulu) are reclaiming their vitality, not through external intervention alone, but through the dedication and stewardship of […]
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Latest News, News, short stories

Restoring Nature: How Native PEP Featured at World Wildlife Day in Kenya

Restoring Nature: How Native PEP Featured at World Wildlife Day in Kenya On 3 March, Kenya joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Wildlife Day 2025. The event/ceremony took place at Kiborgoch Community Conservancy, hosted by Lake Bogoria National Reserve in Baringo County, under this year’s theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People […]
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Latest News, News, short stories

Reviving Rangelands 2: Overseeding degraded rangeland with a diversity of native plant species

Reviving Rangelands 2: Overseeding degraded rangeland with a diversity of native plant species In Kenya, degraded rangeland is often overseed with a single, fast-growing grass species. New scientific evidence suggests, however, that regeneration of degraded land is more successful, faster and sustainable when a diversity of plant species is used, particularly those with complementary traits […]
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Latest News, News, short stories

Reviving Rangelands 1: Empowering Women Groups Through Grass-Legume Fodder Production in Baringo County

Reviving Rangelands 1: Empowering Women Groups Through Grass-Legume Fodder Production in Baringo County In Baringo County, efforts to restore degraded rangelands and support local livelihoods have been gaining momentum through the Native Plants for Environment and People (Native PEP) project. Recently, the project achieved significant milestones, addressing both ecological needs and community empowerment. Over the […]
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IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

Project Management & Coordination

Communication & Training

Capacity Strengthening

Rangeland Knowledge Management

Community Forest

ALL PARTNERS

RESOURCES

POLICY BRIEFS

ANNUAL REPORTS

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Dr David Amudavi Executive Director Biovision Africa Trust

The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing which stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity, and by these I shall not regulate my propositions. And some see no nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself

TEAM

Dr. URS SCHAFFNER

CABI

Dr. DAVID AMUDAVI

BvAT

Dr. BONIFACE KITEME

CETRAD

Dr. STALINE KIBET

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI (UoN)

DICKSON XAVERY

TAFORI

DR JONAS KIZIMA

TALIRI

SIMON NJOROGE

BvAT

DR TUTILO MUDUMBA

CABI

WINNIE NUNDA

CABI

DR JUDITH KOSKEY

CETRAD

DR ELISHA NJOGHOMI

TAFORI

PROF EM. FRITZ HÄNI

HAFL