Ethical Trade

As part of our commitment to conserving the world's natural resources and working with local communities in less developed areas of the world, BlueForest has developed close links with a small, grass roots, development programme in Kenya, The Arabuko-Sokoke Schools and Eco-Tourism Scheme (ASSETS). Coastal dry forest once extended all the way along the East African Coast from northern Mozambique to southern Somalia. Sadly, today the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest in Kenya is the largest surviving remnant (410 km squared). Traditionally, local people would have drawn resources from the forest in order to survive. Currently however, rapid increases in population and extreme poverty are placing immense pressure on the land. Illegal activates, such as the poaching of animals and wood for fuel and building materials endanger the forest and lead to a vicious cycle of degradation. Developed by A Rocha Kenya, the Arabuko-Sokoke Schools and Eco-tourism Scheme (ASSETS), is an exciting new project, which offers a creative solution meeting the needs of local families whilst at the same time encouraging the conservation of the nearby Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. The project uses funds raised from eco-tourism to provide scholarships for secondary school children who cannot afford an education. Members of the BlueForest team helped in the design and construction of eco-tourism attractions, such a tree platform in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and a 200m suspended walkway through the mangroves at nearby Mida Creek. These attractions help raise money to support the work of ASSETS, and were sponsored by the UNDP. For more information please visit: www.assets-kenya.org

« Back to News and Reviews