He rallied the fresh graduates to proactively participate in the opening up of the rich forestry value chains for wealth and employment creation, in line with the Kenya Kwanza administration's BETA plan.
According to him, forest-based goods and services are vital to the country's socioeconomic development, providing a suitable environment for rural and urban development.
"The sustainable management of these resources, a task they are now ready to undertake, is essential for our economic growth and environmental conservation," he said.
Duale further advised Community Forest Associations (CFAs) to work closely with KFS, saying that as host communities, they had a key role in sustainable forest management.
In addition to participatory forest management, as required of them by law, Duale urged the CFAs to take a keener interest in other landscapes and ecosystem restoration efforts including the 15 billion tree-growing plan.
"Let us renew our commitment to protecting and restoring our forests, supporting KFS in its mandate, and participating actively in the government's initiatives to safeguard our natural heritage," he said.