The Area

AWG wants to develop sustainably. Setting priorities is also important here. To effectively plant trees and other measures to improve the soil, it is important to know how the landscape works on a larger scale. How does the soil and the water system function in relation to the vegetation, but also the cultural and socio-economic aspects. The local farmers play an important role in restoring this system.

Africa Wood Grow has had an area vision (concept) drawn up by H+N+S Landscape Architects and Witteveen+Bos. Both organizations support AWG’s mission. This page shows the first result. Additional investments are required to achieve a complete area vision.

Tiva river source of life

AWG does not only want to limit itself to the local scale, but also wants to see what it can mean on a regional scale. The area in which AWG is active is very dry and is becoming drier due to climate change, among other things. It receives 300-700 mm of rain per year in two seasons (April and November). In most watercourses there is no water for most of the year. One of these seasonal rivers is the Tiva River. The locals collect water from this river for their household. The Tiva River also supplies the Tsavo National Park with water, which is located downstream. The elephants and other animals depand on the water downstream.

AWG’s mission is to provide the landscape with a canopy, improves soil quality and increases water availability. That is why AWG is currently focusing on converting conventional agriculture (goats and local crops) to agroforestry. By planting more trees, the water is retained longer and released more gradually to the Tiva River. The local population and the animals in Tsavo National Park benefit from this.

Tiva river catchment

Our area of impact

In the Kaw´ongo area, AWG has been operating from august 2010. It developed several example farms and build important infrastructure to support a movement of reforestation

Further south about 60 km AWG has developed two example farms. This area is higher and is very dry, the groundwater is deep. Therefore, one of the goals is to increase water availability for the local people. AWG is doing this, by collecting rain and surface water by means of a dam.

The map shows the 600km2 that AWG is currently active. The idea is to become active in the entire catchment of Tiva river.