The Forest Carbon Champions are at the forefront of environmental conservation, driving impactful change across Kenya. Launched in eight counties, these ten champions have been instrumental in engaging over 10,550 community members and planting more than 150,000 trees in forest restoration efforts since the beginning of the year. Their initiatives have sparked wider collaboration among conservation stakeholders, contributing to Kenya’s ambitious goal of restoring 10.6 million hectares of degraded landscapes by planting and nurturing 15 billion trees by 2032. AIM4Forests aims to replicate this success in other countries, including Uganda, Ghana, and Zambia.
Background
FAO and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) empowered the Forest Carbon Champions through the Improving Measurement for Payments to Reduce Emissions and Strengthen Sinks (IMPRESS) project (2021-2023). This project made significant strides in measuring deforestation, monitoring restoration activities, and extending forest monitoring to include mangroves. As early-career volunteers, the Forest Carbon Champions gained invaluable hands-on experience in forestry, wetlands, and natural resource management.
Building on the achievements of IMPRESS, the AIM4Forests programme (2023-2028) will further strengthen National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS), in alignment with national priorities and policies. These young Champions will continue to play a pivotal role, sharing their expertise and contributing to AIM4Forests' activities both in Kenya and beyond.
Meet our champions
Interview with Olgah Hellens (Kenya) on the e-learning series Forest Monitoring for Climate Action
19/11/2024
Olgah Hellens, Founder and Director of iConserve in Kenya, and Forest Carbon Champion supported by the FAO’s AIM4Forests programme, shares her insights...
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Olgah Hellens
Olgah is an environmentalist with five years' experience in leading and executing community-based projects. She founded iConserve, an initiative dedicated to empowering youths and communities on sustainable use of natural resources within Lake Victoria basin and its surrounding catchment areas. Her work primarily centers on forest monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
Grace Kimaru
Grace, from Nyeri, Kenya, is the founder of Foster Green Community Based Organization. She promotes environmental conservation through tree growing, climate literacy via community capacity building, and advocates for climate-resilient cities. Using social media, she raises awareness on environmental stewardship and drives meaningful climate action in her community.
Eva Kihonge
Eva is a data-driven GIS analyst experienced in leveraging Python tools for geospatial analysis and climate data processing. She conducts environmental impact assessments, applies social vulnerability indices, and engages stakeholders to manage natural resources sustainably. Eva also supports investment projects in forestry, renewable energy, and agriculture across Africa.
Patricia Kombo
Patricia is the founder of the Patree Initiative, which promotes environmental literacy and sustainable land use. She contributed to the National Climate Change Action Plan (2023-2027) and is an alumnus of the International Visitors Leadership Program. Currently pursuing a master’s in Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Nairobi, she has been recognized by the Finnish mission in Kenya for her community work.
Winnie Cheche
Winnie is a Kenya-based climate activist and environmental communication strategist. As founder of The Eco Advocate, she champions sustainability and youth engagement in Africa. She also leads initiatives at Kenya Environment Action Network and the Young Muslim Association.
Theresa Aoko
Theresa, a seasoned environmental policy practitioner, is the national coordinator of Kenya Forests Working Group, a civil society network that advocates for sustainable management of Kenya's forests. She is a founder of Kenya Youth in Forestry, promoting youth entrepreneurship in the forestry sector for climate action and sustainable livelihoods.
Maurine Njeri
Maurine, an Environmentalist and a co-founder of Changers Foundation. She champions for climate change actions and Environmental conservation through creating awareness on climate change adaptation and mitigation measures at grassroot level. Maurine engages her community in tree planting activities and workshops to share knowledge on climate change related issues. She believes youths are the key to building resilient communities.
Wendy Omanga
Wendy is an award winning Climate Storyteller trained by CNN Academy. She is passionate about digital advocacy by producing and directing films that highlight climate stories. She is also The Founder of Moonlight Initiative Media, whose flagship project is riparian land restoration through bamboo afforestation along major rivers in Kenya.
Pauline Owiti
Pauline is a professional agronomist and the founder of The Polly Foundation. She works with small-scale farmers, focusing on sustainable farming practices and facilitating climate education. Passionate about empowering communities, Pauline supports initiatives that enhance environmental stewardship and agricultural resilience.
Teresia Kuria
Teresia is a professional forester working at Kenya Forest Service. Her journey in sustainable management and conservation of forests has been a blend of experiences and achievements. She leads in trainings that enhance relationship between forest conservation and community livelihoods, ensuring both forests and people thrive together harmoniously.
Hybrid Event
Forest and Farm Champions: Rural Youth Shaping Tomorrow's Forests and Farms
17/10/2024
This side event (YL03), taking place on 17 October from 14:00 to 15:00 (CEST) as part of the
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Young women leading conservation efforts in Kenya under the AIM4Forests programme
05/06/2024
On World Environment Day 2024, we celebrate the achievements of ten inspiring young women – the Forest Carbon Champions – who are leading the way for environmental conservation efforts with their local communities across eight counties in Kenya.
Since the start of the year, these champio...
World Forest Voices: Meet the COFO Champions! Part 1
Hear from our COFO Champions in the new World Food Forum podcast series "World Forest Voices"
See also
- #Carbonchampions
- #AIM4Forests