Australian Environmentalist Plants 30,279 Mangrove Trees in Kilifi for Guinness World Record

30-year-old Australian environmentalist Jimi Cohen has embarked on an ambitious endeavour to achieve the Guinness World Record for the highest number of trees planted by an individual within 24 hours.

In commemoration of Mother Earth Day on April 22nd, Cohen dedicated over 23 hours to planting mangrove seedlings along the coastline in Majoreni, Kwale County, Kenya. Mangroves, known for their ability to thrive in salty water, play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem with their distinctive leaves and roots. Cohen's undertaking commenced precisely at 12:10 PM on Sunday afternoon with a team from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Pongwe-Kikoneni-Majoreni Community Forest Association (CFA), and his organization Tree Gens meticulously documenting the progress through video and written records.

They diligently counted the number of seedlings Cohen planted near existing mangrove plantations in the little-known village, with KFS officials recording the details in a book and a community member maintaining a separate record for cross-checking purposes. After an arduous 24-hour effort, Cohen had successfully planted an astonishing 30,279 mangrove seedlings, spanning several kilometres along the shores of multiple villages. Reflecting on his accomplishment, Cohen expresses satisfaction and excitement for surpassing his initial goal of 30,000 trees.

The team which had been stationed at the site for over 24 hours diligently recorded the progress and joyfully celebrated the completion of this remarkable project. Cohen's decision to undertake this endeavour in Kenya was motivated by the community's willingness to conserve the environment and the ideal conditions offered by the coastal areas for restoring mangroves. In his home country, engaging in similar practices would expose him to the risk of wildlife attacks within such forests.

Kenya Forest Service Warden Livingstone Kitawi who supervised the planting and ensured security during the exercise expresses his enthusiasm for the significant number of trees planted by Cohen. He views this achievement as a testament to the commitment of various individuals to environmental conservation and emphasizes the importance of these trees in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on communities.

The Pongwe Kikoneni Majoreni Community Forest Association (CFA) rewarded its community members with Sh1,000 each for their hard work before and during the tree planting process. CFA Chairperson Mshemanga Hamisi notes the importance of mangroves to the local communities, stating, "Our region is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Many of the mangroves in our villages have been destroyed, while others are submerged in flooded river waters. Restoring these mangroves will greatly benefit us."