Vivo Energy Kenya joins Mida Creek Conservation and Awareness Group to conserve Watamu's true hidden treasure.

Mida creek is a marine biosphere reserve found in Kilifi County 88km northeast of Mombasa and 25km southwest of Malindi town. It is one of the protected marine reserves under the Kenya wildlife service.

The reserve is connected to Watamu Marine Park, which has a seagrass bed in the subtidal and coral reef further offshore, thus encompassing interconnected diversity.

 

The mangrove forest covers an area of 32km2, mainly composed of ceriops tagal (Spurred Mangrove) and rhizophora mucronata (red mangrove or Asiatic mangrove) species.

The creek has a complex habitat diversity due to mangrove forests. It is an important breeding site for marine fish and an important bird sanctuary for Palearctic migrants, with at least 124 bird species recorded over the years. The creek attracts visitors, such as local and international researchers and students. The creek also supports the livelihood of different players such as fishermen and ecotourism groups.

Mida Creek Conservation Awareness Group (MACCAG) was formed by ASSETS (ARABUKO SOKOKE SCHOOLS AND ECOTOURISM SCHEME) guides. They constructed a boardwalk and bird hide in 2004 to create sustaining generation of livelihood for the youth through conservation activities of marine resources found at Mida creek.

The group has an office at the entry point of the Mida creek boardwalk and bird hide. The group has been working with many stakeholders toward conservation. The group works with Nature Kenya, Africa's oldest environmental society. Nature Kenya was established in 1909 to promote the study and conservation of nature in eastern Africa. Its mission is to connect people with nature and take action for biodiversity conservation. 

Vivo Energy Kenya supports Nature Kenya's efforts to conserve the environment, and the Mida Creek project is one of the many projects the Company supports. In 2022 Vivo Energy Kenya donated 2000 mangrove seedlings that have been planted at the creek as part of the Company's environment conservation efforts. The MACCAG community will manage the seedlings to maturity. In addition to planting the mangrove seedlings, the company conducted a beach cleaning exercise.

  

 

Mangrove forests support the following items in the environment,

• Carbon Absorption – Mangroves hold up to four times more carbon than other tropical rainforests.
• They protect shorelines from erosion
• Provide habitat to many fish, birds, and other ocean species.
• Source of livelihood - People use them for medicine, fodder, construction materials, fuel, and making furniture.
• Source of food – Fishermen get a good supply of fish, crabs, and oysters.
• They encourage ecotourism – sport fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, boardwalks, birdwatching, and boat rides.
• Rich in biodiversity - provide a nutrient-rich breeding ground for numerous birds, turtles, shrimp, fish, and other microorganisms to thrive.

What does MIDA CREEK have to offer a visitor:

• Learn about mangroves at their benefits to the marine life
• Boardwalk as you search for birds 
• Relaxing walks on the white sandy beach
• Boat ride 
• Camping at Garden of Eden.

The conservation agenda goes on for Vivo Energy Kenya at Mida Creek and other areas of our beautiful country.