Chapter 4: ENDANGERED SPECIES IN KENYA

 Grevy's Zebra                                                                                        

The long-legged, endangered Grevy’s zebra is distinguished by its unique stripes, which are as distinctive as human fingerprints. Grevy’s also are taller, have larger ears, and have narrower stripes than plains zebras. They are the largest of the zebra species.

Grevy’s zebras have undergone one of the most substantial reductions of range of any African mammal. Habitat loss in an already restricted range is a serious threat to the Grevy’s survival. They have to compete for resources with other grazers, as well as cattle and livestock. Due to overgrazing and competition for water, Grevy’s juveniles have a low survival rate. 

The Black Rhino

Black rhinos are the smaller of the two African rhino species. 

Populations of black rhino declined dramatically in the 20th century at the hands of European hunters and settlers. The black rhino is still considered critically endangered, and a lot of work remains to bring the numbers up to even a fraction of what it once was and to ensure that it stays there. Wildlife crime like poaching and black-market trafficking of rhino horn continues to plague the species and threaten its recovery.

Lesser Kudu

Both the greater kudu and its close cousin, the lesser kudu, have stripes and spots on the body, and most have a chevron of white hair between the eyes. 

Their numbers are affected by humans hunting them for their meat, hides, and horns. Their horns have long been prized in Africa for use as musical instruments, honey containers, and symbolic ritual objects. Kudu habitats are being destroyed as people are taking over their habitats for charcoal burning and farming.

Thomson’s Gazelle

These small gazelles, named for researcher Joseph Thomson, have light-brown coats with dark stripes running down their sides, a white patch on their rumps extending underneath the tail, and ridged horns that curve backward. 

Thomson’s gazelles are victims of hunting. They are often found on ranches and farmlands after many animals have left, feeding on the short grasses exposed by cattle. Here, they are an easy target and are often shot or snared for food.  The Thomson’s gazelle’s habitat is decreasing as human populations grow and agriculture, settlements, and roads expand.

Hirola/Hunter’s Antelope

  Hirolas are antelopes belonging to the family Bovidae (hoofed mammals) that includes buffalo, cattle, goats, and sheep among others. 

The hirola population has declined in the last four decades due to diseases and loss of habitat. Other factors including, predation and competition with livestock have continued to suppress the recovery of hirola.

Here are some of the responses we received from our Instagram about the endangered species: 

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy -

" I would have to say elephants, zebras and giraffes"

@zainab_akadir -

"Black Rhino in Kenya."

@aisha_bagha -

"Northern white rhino"

@_real_rizwana -

"Polar bears north America"

HOW CAN KIDS HELP

Children today leaders tomorrow. 

As parents and teachers we need to educate children about the importance of taking care of our environment and all that surrounds us, teach them to be responsible humans and guide them to make the right decisions in favor of our Earth. 

There are so many ways to guide and nurture them but the best is through example, children learn from actions and follow in our footsteps. Hand on experiences are the best, so take your time to teach them how to care for our nature. 

Here are some ways children can help save trees: 

1. Use paper wisely by making space for reusable paper, using both sides of paper and replacing paper bags to reusable lunchboxes. 

2. Play and create with trash. Instead of throwing out cardboard boxes, paper towels or shoe boxes, children can be creative and play with them by making forts or cardboard cars. Parents can also help them with many DIY activities such as making bird feeders and picture frames. 

3. Borrow, share and donate book is great way to save paper. 

4. Plant a tree. Although planting trees is a popular Earth Day activity, fall is the season to plant trees and shrubs. Do your homework to make sure you pick the right tree for your space.

5.  Visit the forest. Pay homage to trees and forests is to spend time with them. Visit a local state or national park.

6. Staying on the trails during forest visits minimizes impact on wilderness areas, preserving them. 

Thanks to The Seed of Life Facebook family sharing with us some points on how kids can help save trees: 

Christa Turnell -

Teach them to plant and save trees

SeedballsKenya -

 we have seen great success with teaching them about seed based tree planting 

Hive Honey - 

Please involve kids. Kids Love to plant trees. 

 

PROTECTING TREES FROM WINTER FREEZE

Winter is another harsh climatic condition in some parts of the globe, as well protecting ourselves and property, we need to make sure to care for our trees and plants. 

Extreme temperatures below 32 degrees sustained over some period of time are cold enough to freeze your trees' buds/blossoms, fruits, leaves and/or twigs. Trees most likely to be damaged by freeze include Citrus, Jacaranda, Catalpa, Oleander, Eugenia and other tropical/subtropical plants.

These two actions are most important before harsh winter: 

1. Protect your trees and plants by covering them with burlap, sheets, tarps, etc., that extend to the ground to trap in the earth’s accumulated warmth. Use a frame or stakes to minimize contact between the cover and the foliage.
2. Keep plants well-watered.  

How to plan ahead when expecting extreme cold weather: 

• Remove turf/weeds from under trees’ canopies since bare soil absorbs and reflects heat best. Wood chip mulch prevents soil moisture loss and insulates roots.
• Plant frost-sensitive plants near sources of reflective heat (like buildings, walls, etc).

How to help trees recover after freeze: 

• Do not prune anything off immediately. Wait to see what sprouts in the spring; the damage is often not nearly as bad as it initially looks, and new growth may come out of tissue that you thought was dead.
• If the effects are severe enough and your tree has lost “shade,” protect the now-unshaded portions of the trunk/branches from the sun, with a physical cover or with whitewash (1:1 ratio of latex paint and water).
• Remove frosted/mushy fruit while still salvageable, for snacking on or juicing.

PROTECTING NEW TREES

Planting trees is a major solution to combat deforestation. Anyone can plant trees, however trees just like any living organism needs love and care for it to grow and provide us with the infinite benefits.

In this chapter we will focus on taking care of new trees. Trees need to be protected from strong winds, snow, heat and sun, pests, among others. 

WIND PROTECTION

Depending on the type of tree, you may need to protect it during its first two years if it it sited in an open area exposed to prevailing winds. 

If it has a heavy or small canopy, loose rootball or has a large or bare root, newly plated tree may need temporary skating (support plant with stakes). If it seems to be necessary stake trees loosely and for only 6 months to a year. Tree trunk thicken and strengthen faster when they can move freely. 

An alternative to staking is screening. Fasten a length of burlap, snow fencing or commercial garden fabric such as shade cloth to post on the windy side of the tree about 6 feet from the trunk to divert strong wind yet allow air circulation around exposed trees, especially evergreens. 

HEAT AND SUN PROTECTION THROUGH SUMMER

Tree protectors, or tree tubes around each and every seedling helps in protecting them from day 1. They accelerate growth and protect your plants from animals and other plant destroying critters. Make sure to keep enough spacing between the tubes. 

Aggressive weeds, including grasses, will rob your seedlings of necessary moisture and nutrients. You can provide mechanical control with a hoes or weed eater, or chemical control with a contact herbicide. Keep at least a 3-feet radius weed free around your plants. 

Mulch shades the ground around your precious seedlings keeping the soil cool. It also suppresses thirsty weeds and traps moisture that would otherwise evaporate. Natural mulches such as bark, straw or leaves work well and break down into soil-building organic matter. In extremely dry areas, fabric weed mats work well to trap and hold moisture around the roots. 

Like humans, plants need a quality food source to stay healthy and reach their full potential. Proper fertilization encourages a strong root system that is more capable of utilizing available soil moisture than an underfed root system. Consider using manure-based organic fertilizers instead of traditional chemical fertilizers. 

SOIL PROTECTION

The health and longevity of all trees, but especially newly planted ones, is improved if the soil they grow in is improved. Mulching is an effective way to achieve that. However, make sure not to pile the mulch against the trunk. In the winter mulch insulates the soil against extreme temperature fluctuations that sometimes disturb tree roots and heave those of newly planted small trees out of the soil. Also make sure to replace depleted mulch regularly. 

PROTECTION FROM PEST

The tender bark of young trees is often damaged by critters. Both deer and rodents, such as mice, chew on it during the winter when other food sources are scarce. Deer also rub against young trees, abrading their bark.

Surround the thin trunks of newly planted trees with a tree shelter product. These tough covers fit loosely around whips and saplings as a barrier to protect the tree bark. Check periodically to make sure that trunk guards are not too tight. 

We appreciate all the feedback we received regarding this topic. Here is an amazing one share on our Twitter account: 

Soil, Water & Environmental Conservation Foundation - 

The easy way .if you have unity with communities members is easy because they will be watering them .that is when you have large number of trees planted.if few trees planted to manage them is easy by watering them during sunny days until the rains comes back. 

PROTECTING EXISTING TREES part 2

In our last chapter, we listed down the dangers to existing plants and trees and what can damage or kill them. Since we have figured that out we now focus on how to protect them. We will list down the points and highlight others in the coming chapters.

Here is how we can protect plants/trees that are already there:

• Use less paper 
• Prevent unwarranted tree cutting 
• Finding an alternative to the use of wood
• Educating people on the benefits of trees
• Population control
• Curbing industrialization 
• Reducing mining and other harmful activities that lead to natural disasters such as floods and cyclones
• Avoid driving nails into trees to hand bird feeds
• Don't unnecessary pull barks of trees, hit or bend them 
• When moving the lawn avoid bumping of scraping into trees
• Support NGOs that specialize in protecting forests or those that  monitor activities to prevent and control forest fires, insect infestations and disease epidemic

Above all love your trees. Just like any other living organism trees need love and care to survive. 

PROTECTING EXISTING TREES part 1

Before we start planting new trees we need to educate ourselves on how to protect the existing ones.Here is a list of the dangers to existing trees:

• Adverse environment

• Harmful insects and diseases such as Dutch elm disease and the chestnut blight have caused sudden death to entire forests in North America. 

• Catastrophic events 

• Timber harvest 

• Staking (using ropes to support) a tree too much

• Hanging bird feeders with screws or nails on the tree

• Pruning your tree in the wrong season 

• Filling tree cavities with concrete

• Planting too many plants or trees in a small area

Some contributions from our The Seed of Life family from Facebook:

Diane M Tuttle -

Invasive pest, poison ivy, English ivy

Gk KNature - 

Powerful cyclone due to imbalance in sea temperature

Muhammath Zizz - 

Personal gain, cutting trees for sale i.e. timber/charcoals etc..before cutting down one tree, plant at least 3-4

Elizabeth Larkin -

Rot, lightening, climate change, humans and beetle invasions. 

Gwen R. Christopher - 

I think humans upsetting the balance is the root cause of the killing of existing trees, whether it's disease, insect infestation, invasive species or deforestation. Humans are the enemy.

Annette Hein - 

Excessive use of salt in water, constant exposure to herbicides and pesticides for trees that grow in urban and suburban environment. Introduction of invasive vines and insects that kill off our trees. 

Tom Swift - 

Roundup on the ground within the drip line will destroy trees. 

PROTECTING TREES

We all love trees and know why they are important for human and animal survival, yet we cut them down or we let them die. Just like any other living thing , trees also need love and protection.

In these blog articles we will be focusing on how we can protect trees. We start by reminding why trees need to be planted and protected, how we can protect young and ages trees in harsh climatic conditions and finally brush up on the necessity of teaching our future generation the necessity of planting and protecting trees.

A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. - Franklin D. Roosevelt