Cheetah and lion trees
From March through May 2008, the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) and the Ewaso Lions Project (ELP) hosted tree planting projects in Salama (Ukambani) and Samburu schools respectively. In this joint effort, Mary Wykstra (CCF Kenya Director) and Shivani Bhalla (ELP Director) aim to help communities understand that the environment which supports carnivores is the same environment which sustains the livelihoods of the people. Sponsorship from the trees comes from Eco-Sys (Ukambani) and from private donors (Samburu). Indiginous Acacia sp., Lucena, Cassia saimea, Balanites sp. and decorative Neem and Jacaranda were among the species planted.
In order to reduce conflict with predators that live near settlements and pastoral communities, both CCF and ELP are 
conducting research in their respective areas. However, the understanding and support of local people is key if these efforts are to succeed and benefit both wildlife and the communities. In this programme the participating schools are competing amongst themselves with an incentive of a field trip for the children who have the most success in keeping their trees alive and thriving. Salama children will be given the opportunity to visit Samburu Reserve and the schools affiliated with ELP, while ELP winners will be brought to the Nairobi National Park and visit the Salama Schools.
The 400 trees planted in Salama are a portion of the Eco-Sys’ pledge to plant 100,000 as part of their Billion Tree Campaign. The 50 trees planted in Samburu are new additions to the campaign.
Through this opportunity, CCFK and ELP aim to show the children that conservation is bigger than just their community. Educational programmes will be conducted at the schools throughout the year to prepare the children not only for their adventure to a new place, but also to help them understand the role of predators in the ecosystem.
For more information on the research conducted by CCF and ELP in Kenya please visit their web sites. Links on each site will tell you more about how you can support the research and conservation efforts.
www.cheetah.org/(link directly to: http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=3152)