Brackenhurst Botanic Garden is situated in Limuru, Kenya. The forest in the region was once so extensive that it hosted leopard, buffalo and elephant. Less than 2% of original forest remained before restoration work began at Brackenhurst Botanic Garden, with the rest mostly transformed into tea and eucalyptus plantations.
40 hectares of forest has now been replanted at Brackenhurst. Since planting work began in the year 2000, the exotic tree plantations have been replaced with native forest that now reaches 30-foot tall, made up of lianas, orchids and a species-rich understory.
Conservation of threatened trees is a strong focus of the restoration project. Collection of seeds, propagation efforts in the nursery, and subsequent planting in the restored forest at Brackenhurst is providing conservation for some of East Africa’s rarest trees.

Lillian, a forest worker in Limaru, Kenya, holds plants in a nursery of native tree species, Brackenhurst. Credit: Barney Wilczak
Since planting efforts began in 2000, over 100 rare trees have been incorporated in the restored forest at Brackenhurst, including globally threatened species. Collection, propagation and planting efforts are generating increased knowledge about these species, which is vital for their survival as habitat destruction continues.
The restored forest is now home to over 170 species of birds, 120 species of butterfly, as well as fruit bats. The project also provides livelihood opportunities in an area of high unemployment, by training and employing local people.
GTC provides support to Brackenhurst by helping the garden to establish links with funders, government and NGOs, with the aim to scale up the valuable conservation and restoration work of this institution.

Seeds of Pouteria adolfi-friederici. Credit: Barney Wilczak.