Factors influencing sustainability of tree planting programmes in primary schools in Kinangop Constituency Nyandarua County, Kenya

Abstract

Tree planting is an important endeavor which contributes to conservation of environment and maintenance of balance in the ecosystem, fighting soil erosion and absorption of carbon dioxide hence stabilizing the global temperatures. Trees improve the air we breathe and provide food and shelter. In spite of their great contribution to the world and its surrounding, World tree cover has been on the decline due problem of deforestation and increasing population which exert pressure on forest resources hence the need to plant more trees sustainably. In recognition of the need to increase tree cover across the country, the government of Kenya provided funds to schools to establish tree nursery programmes that were meant to be self- sustaining. In Kinangop constituency 20 schools were selected for the programmes. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing sustainability of tree planting programmes in Kinangop Constituency Nyandarua County. The objectives of study were: to assess the influence of community participation in sustainability of tree nursery programmes, to determine how training of project teams influence sustainability of tree nursery programmes, to determine how financial administration practices influence sustainability of tree planting programmes and to establish how marketing strategies influence sustainability of tree nursery programmes in primary schools in Kinangop constituency Nyandarua County, Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey research design. A sample size of 70 members of school community respondents was used, which comprised of chairmen, treasurers, District Education Members, head teachers and teachers of school participating in tree planting programmes. The researcher used purposive sampling method while data was collected by use of questionnaires. Data obtained from the field was sorted, edited and organize using Statistical Package of Social Sciences and the results were presented using tables, percentages and a brief explanation. The results of the study showed that majority of the respondent agreed that community participation influenced sustainability of tree nursery programmes and that training of project teams also influenced tree sustainability of tree nursery programmes in Kinangop Constituency. The study further showed that financial administration practices and marketing strategies significantly influences the sustainability of tree nursery programmes in schools. The recommendations made are that to enhance community participation, communities should be sensitized and educated on the importance of participating in the tree nursery programmes and that aggressive training and marketing campaigns should be embarked followed by constant follow ups from the relevant bodies if the tree nursery programmes will be sustainable in the long run. The findings of this study will be of benefit to the Government in policy formulation in areas of implementing tree programmes in schools. It will also benefit the private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations involved in conservation of the environment through sustainable tree planting programmes and will also contribute to Knowledge on sustainable tree planting.