The good news - though the press has been slow to tell their readers:

The Forest Bill 2005 was passed by Parliament on the evening of Thursday 28th July 2005.

Rhino Ark joined the NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR THE FOREST BILL 2005 to lobby MPs prior to the tabling of the Bill. The National Alliance was led by the Kenya Forest Working Group and comprised a large number of civil society organisations to create pre-tabling awareness.

In addition a series of advertisements were run in the media.

Rhino Ark would like to thank all who support our work in the Aberdares, thereby influencing public opinion in support of the Forest Bill 2005.

Read about the advantages of the Forest Bill 2005...

Rhino Ark has been awarded a $50,000 (Kshs 3.8 Million) grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the Maintenance of the Aberdare Fence.

The money is for the a Toyota Land Cruiser, its running and maintenance for a year and to install VHF radio base units for the Maintenance Unit.

The support of such an important international conservation body is a reflection of Rhino Ark's value to the Aberdare Project." While we are very circumspect when asked to support fencing projects, you have made a strong case for the Aberdares." Dr. R. Ruggerio of US Fish and Wildlife Service
Rhino Ark would like to thank USFWS for its support.

The European Union's Community Development Trust Fund under its Bio-diversity Conservation Programme (BCP) has approved a grant of Kshs. 13.7 million to start 25kms. of the construction of Phase Six of the Rhino Ark fence project, which runs north from Gatamaiyu through Kereita, Kinari, Kamae (KEKIKA) in Kiambu District.

The grant is as a result of a partnership between the KEKIKA community, Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, KWS and the Forest Department to secure assistance funding for this section of the Aberdare Fence Project.

This is the second such grant from BCP to Rhino Ark and a forest line community. The first one of Kshs.10 Million was for the Gatamaiyu/Karimenu Community fencing project - a 14 km section of fence in which members of the Gatamaiyu/Karimenu farmers community provided Ksh 1.54 million in donated labour charges for fence line clearance and construction. It was completed earlier this year.

It was also the first time that Rhino Ark had teamed with a local community for funding a fence proposal in the Aberdares. In a new departure for Rhino Ark the agreement between the parties included a commitment from each to agro forestry for wood fuel trees to be grown on farm boundaries adjoining the fence line. There was also an indigenous tree planting requirement inside the fence under Forest Department involvement working with the communities.

Mr. Colin Church, Chairman of Rhino Ark Management Committee said: “The KEKIKA Community have followed the example of the Gatamaiyu-Karimenu community, where human/wildlife conflicts are now contained and the Forest Department can more effectively manage the forest for permitted activities.

As a bold step to stop the destruction of forests, a new forest management bill has been drafted and now only awaits parliamentary approval, the Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Wildlife has disclosed.

Speaking while commissioning the Aberdare's Gatamaiyu - Kariminu Fence project in Kiambu District recently, the Minister said the bill is structured to safeguard the integrity of forests and completely
restructure the forest department to increase efficiency.

He said an aerial survey commissioned by the Rhino Ark and KWS 2003 painted a graphic and painful picture of the extent of destruction occasioned on the Aberdares by irresponsible human activity.

"The government is particularly concerned about the shrinkage of the wet montane forest, especially the few remaining pockets in the South and although this section has the richest assemblage of biodiverstity, it faces the greatest risk from destruction" the Minister lamented.

He said the Government was seeking funds to rehabilitate and increase the national forest cover and singled out the Aberdares where he said an integrated management plan will be put in place for the entire ecosystem mobilizing all stakeholders into active partners engaged in the protection of the forest.

Our Chairman, Rhino Ark (UK), Guy Tritton, has registered with justgiving.com website which permits people to make online donations. It will arrange for the reclamation of 28% tax on all donations to Rhino Ark. This is a Tax free status for UK tax payers making contributions to Rhino Ark. This is a fast and safe way to sponsor people, and is a beneficial to Rhino Ark as we are credited with the 28% tax incentive immediately. Try it, it really is easy! You can also find account details