The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) recognizes that bees are incredibly important insects whose pollination services help plants produce some of our most popular foods WWF stories. Pollinator corridor also known as pollinator pathways or highways are a crucial support in biodiversity as they ensure safe passage for pollinators such as bees, birds and butterflies and in the long run healthy ecosystems. The term “pollinator corridors” is widely used to describe the idea of facilitating pollinators movement across diverse landscapes to access food, breeding grounds and shelter. 

In 2024, the Communion Forest has been focusing more on the wider ecosystems’ conservation, protection and restoration. Let’s commence with the inspiring story of St. Michael’s Nabkoi Parish in the Diocese of Eldoret within the Anglican Church of Kenya, where a remarkable project intertwines forest protection, tree growing and beekeeping. 

The Ebenezar tree nursery was established in November 2022 to motivate the Parishioners to embrace environmental conservation as well as a practical action through the Green Anglicans Movement of Kenya.  The tree nursery features 5000 seedlings with 8000 indigenous tree species and 7000 exotic tree species. The tree seedlings are sold to the Church members and the Community, and the income generated sustains the project and ensures continuity.  

On October 24th, 2023, the Parish’s apiary project was launched by Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit and hosted by the diocesan Bishop, the Rt Rev. Dr. Christopher Ruto for additional income generation.

The launch was in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Services and the Anglican Development Services which provided modern beehives.

The Beehives are situated in Nabkoi Forest, a possibility made through Community Forest Association which affords the church the rights to conserve, protect and restore the forest. 

Currently, the project has 25 beehives with a long-term plan of increasing them to 1000 set up in various locations. Through the Beehives, the church harvests honey sold to members of the church and the community. 

Photos and information provided by Benjamin Koech, Layreader at St. Michael’s Nabkoi Parish, Eldoret Diocese.