What's New
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It was now two weeks since the Mount Kenya fire started and it had almost spread to the peak and the upper part of the forest. Every evening I went out of my house, about 10 km from the foot of the mountain, and just stared at the orange patches on the dark mountain. I wondered how the country seemed so at ease when I could see the mountain burning. I had heard form an Army officer how remains of hyenas, buffaloes and elephants were seen in the burnt areas. Early in the morning, I saw how fast the fire had spread throughout the night. The air smelt smoky and hot. During the day, smoke was so intense that it obscured the whole mountain. We had waited for so long for rain to come. We knew that if the rain did not come soon, the whole forest would go up in flames. In villages, vehicles and towns people were talking about the fire. The radio and TV stations also broadcasted messages about the raging fire.
Recent News
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May 10th, 2012
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May 10th, 2012
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April 29th, 2012
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April 11th, 2012
Upcoming Events
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May 18, 2012 - 4:00pmFreedom Corner, Uhuru Park, Nairobi
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May 17, 2012 - 4:30pmSilver Springs Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya
Our Impact
This interactive map shows the location of more than 3,987 Green Belt Movement-supported tree nurseries across Kenya. These community tree nurseries produce more than 8 million indigenous seedlings annually!
Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) we record the location of the tree nurseries, and monitor the progress of the trees planted to ensure high survival rates. Mapping tree-planting sites ensures that our efforts are helping to restore critical watersheds.
Click on the map to zoom in and see the location of our tree nurseries and information about the community groups which care for them.
Wangari Maathai's Legacy
"Each of us can make a difference, and together accomplish what might seem impossible."
Wangari Maathai (1940–2011) was the founder of the Green Belt Movement and the Wangari Maathai Institute. Her life was a series of firsts: the first woman to gain a Ph.D. in East and Central Africa; the first female chair of a department at the University of Nairobi; and the first African woman and the first environmentalist to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (2004). Honoured throughout the world for her work for the environment, democracy, and peace, Professor Maathai was the author of four books including her autobiography: Unbowed and the subject of a documentary film, Taking Root.
Who We Are
Founded in 1977 by Professor Wangari Maathai, the Green Belt Movement (GBM) has planted over 47 million trees in Kenya. GBM works at the grassroots, national, and international levels to promote environmental conservation; to build climate resilience and empower communities, especially women and girls; to foster democratic space and sustainable livelihoods.
Get Involved
Be a Hummingbird! Plant a tree in your neighborhood, download teaching materials, or help fund our projects in Kenya. However you choose to help, we hope you’ll keep in touch and, as Professor Maathai used to say: do the best you can!
