Project Overview

The Sweet Heritage Project is a comprehensive initiative designed to safeguard and revitalize Kenya’s indigenous fruit trees, with a primary hub at the Oreteti Nature Botanical Garden . By focusing on biodiversity conservation and the preservation of cultural heritage, the project addresses the alarming decline of native fruit-bearing species due to deforestation, climate change, habitat loss, and overexploitation. It emphasizes the Laikipia-Samburu-Isiolo-Meru ecosystem—a biodiverse region spanning arid savannas, forests, and highlands—but extends research and knowledge-sharing to encompass all indigenous fruits across Kenya.

Indigenous fruit trees are not merely ecological assets; they are woven into the fabric of Kenyan cultural heritage. They provide nutritional staples rich in vitamins (e.g., vitamin C and A) and minerals (e.g., iron), support traditional medicine, and hold symbolic value in community rituals and livelihoods. b4fn.org +2 For instance, the baobab (known as “mbuyu” in Swahili) is revered as a “tree of life” in many communities, offering fruit pulp for food and leaves for medicine, while also serving as a historical gathering point.

The project aims to reverse apathy toward these species by integrating scientific research, community-driven conservation, and sustainable economic models, ultimately preventing extinction and fostering resilience in endangered ecosystems.