SEEDBALLS from Kenya for East Africa and beyond
41,949,000 SEEDBALLS DISTRIBUTED SINCE SEP. 2016
Amy is a member of the Seedballs Kenya that features in the BBC and Sir David Attenborough's series The Green Planet (Episode 5 Human Worlds).
Seedballs Kenya
Seedballs Kenya has pioneered a method of mass producing seedballs for low cost and efficient reintroduction of trees and grass species into degraded areas in Africa.
Seedballs are inexpensive and can be easily dispersed over large areas which are often hard to reach. Our indigenous seeds, supplied and certified by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), are not treated or altered in any way.
Simply put, we are giving Mother Nature a helping hand by protecting the seeds from predators and sun until the appropriate natural environmental conditions trigger germination.
WHAT IS A SEEDBALL?
A Seedball is simply that - a seed inside of a ball of charcoal dust mixed with some nutritious binders. We are focusing on helping reduce the costs of planting various useful indigenous plant species (mostly trees and grass) in Kenya.
The biochar coating of the ball helps protect the seed within from predators such as birds, rodents and insects and extremes of temperature until the rains arrive! Once soaked, the seedball will help retain and prolong a moist environment around the seed to encourage germination.
Direct seeding reduces transplant shock and helps the young trees grow stronger roots which inturn helps them grow into stronger trees. We focus on the rehabilitation of land so damaged by man's activity that natural reforestation is unlikely or not possible at all.
Using seedballs, the reintroduction of tree species that have been partially or completely removed from their original environments is as natural a process as can be undertaken.
We assume the role of missing seed-producing 'Mother Trees' and leave nurture to nature.
Seedballs are inexpensive and can be easily dispersed over large areas that are often hard to reach, often piggy backing on existing patrols and conservation operations.
We've been using planes, camels, horses, helicopters, motorcycle taxis, paragliders, hikers, drones, hot air balloons to help disperse Seedballs, as well as engaging schools and communities, local and regional Government, KWS and conservation rangers to help distribute Seedballs in their local area.
Teaching the next generation of the importance of reforestation and the benefits of regenerating degraded areas for thier communities, including water catchment, soil erosion and biodiversity.
We have partnered with 6 select organisations who are active in conservation.
Mara Elephant Project
Big Life Foundation
Miti Alliance
Kibwezi Well Wishers
Kampur Foundation
Lion Guardians
They are eager to recieve your Seedball donations and have commited with us to distribute these Seedballs within their areas of operations that have the greatest need for reforestation and regeneration.
Seedballs are inexpensive.
Seedballs do not require tilling.
Just Throw & grow!
Large quantities of Seedballs can be easily dispersed over wide areas that are often hard to reach.
Biochar coating protects the seed within from predators, such as animals & birds, & extremes of temperatures.
The coating protects the seed until the first rains & then provides a moist environment to encourage germination.
The Biochar coating contains soluble nutritious organic binders that promote successful germination.
Seedballs can be distributed at any time of year and will wait until the first rains to start germination.
Direct seeding with Seedballs results in no transplant shock that is often seen when using plastic bags for planting.
Seedballs allow long healthy tap roots, unconstricted by plastic bags. Long healthy tap roots produce deeper, more robust plants that are also more drought resistant.
Our Seedballs contain indigenous tree & grass seeds, approved & certified by KEFRI that have not been pre-treated in any way.
10 Reasons to use our Seedballs
Seed-balling,
Seed bombing, or in some cases aerial reforestation, is a technique of introducing vegetation to land by throwing or dropping seedballs. Often done with arid or off-limits land (for example privately owned).
The process is usually done as a large-scale project with hundreds dropped in a single area at any one time. Provided enough water, adequate sunlight, and low competition from existing flora and fauna, seed-balled barren land could be host to new plants in as little as a month.
Seedballs have use in nearly any region where plants can grow: for reseeding ecosystems into areas of man-made deserts, avoiding seed eating insects and animals and protecting seeds until rains fall to soak the clay ball and stimulate the seeds. Seeds contained in such balls then germinate in ideal conditions for each climate/region.
It's simple,
JUST THROW AND GROW!
'ACACIA,
the roots of Kenya
Behind the seeds'
Watch the documentary by OCB,
featuring Seedballs Kenya and Teddy.
Sit back, see the work we do and take in the spectacular scenery of magical Kenya.
Director's Cut 10'
Extended Version 20'
