The Media Council of Kenya and Kenya Forest Services have teamed up to support efforts towards achieving the national 10 per cent forest cover.
MCK CEO Mr David Omwoyo and the Chief Conservator of Forests Mr Julius Kamau have today signed a Framework for Collaboration for Forest Restoration and Creation of Awareness of Forest Conservation and Management efforts in Kenya.
Under the partnership, the Media Council of Kenya will adopt five (5) hectares of Ndoinet Forest in Bomet County, where it will plant and maintain over five thousand indigenous tree seedlings in collaboration with the Community Forest Association.
By leveraging on its membership, the Media Council of Kenya will collaborate with Editors and Journalists to increase public awareness on forest conservation and management and mobilise public support in tree growing initiatives.
The Media Council of Kenya CEO Mr Omwoyo said the Council will advance the power of the media to enhance awareness on environmental conservation. He noted the importance of forest conservation and tree growing to Climate Change mitigation, noting that the media is a vital partner in informing the public and mobilising support.
He called upon media stakeholders to join efforts to increase Kenya’s forest cover, saying a healthy environment is a major contributor to a “society that will accord media a conducive environment to remain free and fair in its reporting”.
“I urge journalists in the field of environmental reporting to amplify actions of relevance in the society and facilitate story ideas aimed at conserving the environment. Correspondingly, I call upon media Owners to join the adopt-a-forest framework as part of their corporate social responsibility”, said Mr Omwoyo.
The Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr Kamau said the partnership will be an opportunity for the Service to sensitise members of the Fourth Estate on various aspects of forestry that have often been misunderstood, including the percentage of forest cover in Kenya, among other topical issues”.
Through the partnership, the Council and the Service will facilitate forums for Editors and Environmental Journalists to create awareness on forestry issues. Tree planting by the two organisations will take place during the March – April – May long rainfall season.