Bamburi Nature
and Biodiversity

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 calls for all to protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. In line with this call, LES has established world class ecosystems through the restoration of Bamburi Cement coral limestone quarries.

From onset of rehabilitation in 1971, over 452 species of trees, shrubs and lianas have been introduced into the rehabilitated quarries. Over 195 of these species are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List including those designated as Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened.

Many of the indigenous species are now reproducing in the restored ecosystems and forming populations that positively impact on ecosystems services. Food plants as well as flowering plants are introduced to attract and sustain the rich biodiversity, including butterflies and birds. More than 292 species of birds have been recorded in the emergent ecosystems.

Eleven (11) of the bird species are listed as either Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened and some are seasonal or occasional visitors to the sites. To date, 35 mammal species have been recorded, some of which are listed as Vulnerable or Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List and 14-amphibian species. In addition, over 112 species of butterflies and 18 species of dragonflies reside in the ecosystems.

Bamburi’s rehabilitation program has created a functional ecosystem over the years through wildlife integration in the rehabilitation of limestone quarries. Animals, many of them larger mammals, were introduced as orphans or rescued, while others were brought in to occupy specific niches in the ecosystem.

Animal species such as monkeys, bush-babies and antelopes, act as seed dispersers, while butterflies and other insects, bats, bush-babies and others act as pollinators. Diverse insects, millipedes and other arthropods and fungi act as decomposers in the ecosystem, turning the former quarry into a functional ecosystem.

Reptiles and other predators were introduce to regulate populations of other organisms. Bamburi’s rehabilitated quarries are a well-documented success story and act as a showcase for the Kenya and its commitment to environmental conservation and management.

Our environmental education programme promotes continuous learning at our sites in support and fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goals 4, which calls for the provision of inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all.

We have built a vibrant interactive environmental conservation education that is based on Mining and Environmental Management, and material transformation of resource from mining, through rehabilitation, ecosystems management and biodiversity.

Our education guides and technical staff are on hand to receive, interact and provide educational tours to over 170,000 visitors annually at Bamburi Haller Park and Bamburi Forest Trails.

These experiential tours allow individuals (students included) to explore environmental issues in-depth.