At 5,199 m (17,000 ft), Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa. It is an ancient extinct volcano, which during its period of activity (3.1-2.6 million years ago) is thought to have risen to 6,500 m. There are 12 remnant glaciers on the mountain, all receding rapidly, and four secondary peaks that sit at the head of the U-shaped glacial valleys. With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa. The evolution and ecology of its afro-alpine flora provide an outstanding example of ecological and biological processes.

 

Mt. Kenya received national conservation recognition in 1932 when it was gazetted as a national reserve. In 1949, Mt. Kenya National Park was established within the mountain to enhance the conservation of its biodiversity covering all the area above 3,200 M.  Mt. Kenya is considered one of the key conservation areas in the country.

 

The conservation of Mount Kenya is not only of local importance, but also of national as well as international importance.

 

 In 1978, Mt. Kenya was recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve under the Man and Biosphere Program further enhancing its conservation status. The mountain’s natural and cultural heritage has been the basis of international recognition of the area as an important conservation area. Hence, in 1997, Mount Kenya was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

 

The protected area of the Mt. Kenya Ecosystem comprises of Mt. Kenya National Park covering an area of 715 square kilometers (276 sq mi), and Mt. Kenya Forest Reserve covering 705 square kilometers (272 sq mi).

 

Both are forested, protected areas and combined, form the UNESCO World Heritage Site 1,420 square kilometers (548 sq mi).

Our programs aim at protecting and promoting conservation of nature with a particular interest in Mt. Kenya ecosystem. For our purposes Eastern Aberdares Ranges are part of Mt. Kenya Ecosystem. Our programs therefore focus on working with stakeholders who interact with Mt. Kenya ecosystem, directly or indirectly.