News published: 09 April 2026

Within the framework of the RTRP-Seed Project, “Supplying High-Quality Tree Planting Material of Native Tree Species (NTS) for Landscape Restoration in Sub-Saharan Africa,” funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Government, BGCI organised a three-day restoration workshop focused on the principles and methodologies of ecological restoration.

Representatives from CERK (Centre for Ecosystem Restoration-Kenya), GHK (Green Heart of Kenya), NMK (National Museum of Kenya), FoASK (Friends of Arabuko Sokoke Forest), and ITF (Internation Tree Foundation) in Kenya, along with TBG (Tooro Botanical Garden) from Uganda, came together to exchange knowledge and experiences on ecological restoration. The workshop provided a platform to discuss challenges, share lessons learned, and strengthen collaboration among partners.

All project partners are contributing to the establishment of demonstration restoration plots under the RTRP-Seed project. These plots showcase a range of restoration approaches, methodologies, and strategies for species selection and combination. The ultimate goal is to develop best practices for integrating native tree species into restoration efforts.

Over the three days, key topics included:

• Ecological restoration: definitions, principles, visioning, and goal setting
• The Ten Golden Rules for Restoration
• Rapid site assessment methodologies
• Different restoration approaches
• Introduction to The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS); assessing impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; monitoring and adaptive management.
• Field visit to a demonstration restoration plot managed by GHK.

This workshop represents an important first step in a longer-term collaborative effort. Over the coming years, the RTRP-Seed Project will continue to foster new initiative, strengthening collaboration and advancing restoration practice, and building on shared learning to support the effective integration of native tree species in landscape restoration.