Adopt a Tree Executive Summary This is a comprehensive initiative aimed at educating school going children in Bungoma and Kakamega Counties of Western Kenya about climate change and tree planting while engaging communities in sustainable agroforestry practices. By integrating trees with food crops, the project supports climate resilience, enhances biodiversity and improves food security. Through education and action, the project promotes a sustainable future where children and communities actively contribute to protecting the environment and securing their livelihoods. Project Objectives Empower children as climate champions: o Educate children on climate change and the role of trees in mitigating its effects. o Involve children in hands-on tree planting and environmental stewardship activities. Equip communities with sustainable practices: o Provide training on agroforestry to combine tree planting with food crop cultivation for increased resilience and food security. o Raise awareness of climate change impacts and practical adaptation strategies. Enhance food security and ecosystem health: o Promote the integration of trees and crops to restore degraded land, improve soil fertility and boost agricultural productivity. o Increase tree cover for carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Proposed Activities This project is executed in three main phases through the following activities: Education for children: o Interactive climate change workshops:  Conduct age-appropriate lessons using classroom lessons, storytelling, visuals and interactive activities to teach children about climate change, deforestation and the importance of tree planting. o Tree planting in schools:  Establish tree nurseries in schools and organize tree planting events where students learn to plant and care for trees. o Eco-club formation:  Create school-based eco-clubs where students lead activities such as waste management campaigns, water conservation and climate awareness projects. Community training and engagement: o Agroforestry training:  Train farmers and community members on integrating trees with food crops to improve soil health, control erosion, and enhance agricultural yields. o Demonstration farms:  Set up model agroforestry farms to showcase best practices and provide hands-on learning opportunities for local farmers. o Tree seedling distribution:  Supply households with seedlings of native, fruit-bearing, and nitrogen-fixing tree species to support sustainable land use and food production. Collaborative community action: o Tree planting campaigns:  Organize large-scale planting drives involving children, parents, and community leaders to create a collective impact. o Knowledge exchange platforms:  Facilitate farmer-to-farmer learning sessions to share successful practices in agroforestry and climate adaptation. o Climate action days:  Host community events featuring expert talks, exhibitions, and activities to raise awareness about climate change and food security. Implementation plan The project is carried out by Eliud Omutanyi, who is a teacher, together with a team of experts. It is implemented in three main phases. These are: Phase 1: Planning and preparation (1-2 months) o Identify target schools and communities through stakeholder consultations. o Develop culturally relevant educational materials and training modules. o Establish partnerships with local leaders, NGOs and agricultural extension services. Phase 2: Education and training (3-6 months) o Launch school workshops and eco-clubs. o Set up tree nurseries in schools from the lessons o Begin tree planting activities in schools and distribute seedlings to farmers. o Conduct agroforestry training sessions and set up demonstration farms. Phase 3: Community engagement and monitoring (7-12 months) o Organize tree planting campaigns and climate awareness events. o Monitor tree growth and assess the adoption of agroforestry practices. o Collect feedback from participants to evaluate the project’s impact and sustainability. Expected outcomes For children: o Enhanced knowledge of climate change and its solutions. o Active participation in environmental conservation through tree planting. o Long-term environmental stewardship as a result of early education. For the community: o Improved understanding of climate change and practical adaptation strategies. o Adoption of agroforestry practices leading to improved food security and resilience. o Strengthened community collaboration for environmental conservation. For the environment: o Increased tree cover and biodiversity, contributing to carbon sequestration. o Restored degraded lands and improved soil fertility. o Enhanced ecosystems through the integration of trees and crops. Sustainability plan Community ownership: o Train local champions, such as teachers and farmers, to sustain educational and agroforestry activities. o Establish community committees to oversee tree planting and conservation initiatives. Partnerships: o Collaborate with local governments, NGOs and research institutions for ongoing support and resources. o Involve private sector partners for funding and technical assistance. 3. Scaling and replication: o Use the project as a model to replicate in neighboring communities. o Document best practices and lessons learned to guide future initiatives. Conclusion The Adopt a Tree project bridges generations by educating children and empowering communities to address climate change while enhancing food security. Through tree planting and agroforestry, it fosters environmental stewardship, strengthens livelihoods and promotes sustainable development. By uniting education, action and collaboration, this project creates a greener and a more resilient future for all.