Visiting our partner Seedballs Kenya

Visiting our partner Seedballs Kenya is part of our programme RE-GREEN THE PLANET. Few members of our team went in Kenya in October 2021.

Mission: 

Reforesting the country thanks to tree seeds, specially different endemic acacia trees from different regions of the country. 

The process resides in coating the seeds with an uniform coal layer, which represents many advantages : this protects the seeds from predators and sun, until the appropriate natural environmental conditions activate the germination.  This also allows not having to dig the soil, very hard during dry season, in order to plant a seed or a tree which would have already started to grow. The semi-direct process reduces the transplantation shock and helps the young trees to develop stronger roots. 

Seedballs Kenya essentially focuses on the lands rehabilitation, specially damaged by human activity, on which natural reforestation is unlikely, if ever impossible. With the help of seedballs, reintroducing tree species which have been partially or totally withdrawn from their origin environment is also a process as natural as possible. There are 42 endemic acacias species from different regions; the idea being able to plant the good species in the good places to encourage a better environment. 

The seedballs are also not expensive and can be easily disseminated on big surface areas, often difficult to reach. These indigenous seeds, supplied and certified by the Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI), are not treated or modified. 

Teddy works with other local associations to contribute to local communities’ awareness and make them responsible. This is particularly the case of Kibweze Well Wishers, which contributes to clean up and pick up  waste plastics in different areas of Kenya, specifically around Nairobi. These collections are also an occasion to disseminate some seeds.

Seedballs also works to recreate a positive environment in some critical areas (with MEP and Lion Guardians, to also encourage the collaboration with the Wild fauna).

Results: 

His method seduces a lot in Kenya, but also more and more outside the country; other associations based in other African countries contact him on a regular basis to know more about the procedure to follow, in order to make these coal seedballs, and not only buy them. Their reputation goes beyond the continent, as people from Peru contacted him to know more. 

Teddy also succeeded in reforesting a forest in the east of Nairobi which totally became desertic, with the help of the Carnivore restaurant and the Brunson Carlson-Wagonlit company in 2016. Some tests were carried out to plant eucalyptus trees, coming from Australia, which grow very fast. However, after this experimentation, he decided to keep endemic species such as acacia for the next disseminations.

What’s next ? :

Keeping developing new grass and tree seeds, sensitizing communities, working with institutions and other associations.

Moreover, they wish to be cost-effective since unfortunately, it is not the case now. 

Our impression : 

Beside a simple but efficient procedure, Seedballs was able to quickly enforce their position as a reliable partner and stakeholder in Kenya, which collaborates with 2 other of our partners in particular.

Teddy is passionate, very committed, with a very ecological as well as entrepreneurial vision. His commitment is rooted and visceral, which seems to come from his parents. We met his mother who is American and has been living for a long time in Kenya. Unfortunately, his father is no longer here but had a gift and a passion for reforestation. 

No doubt that we need to make this partnership last.

Report by Synthia Miantama