GBM Blog Archive: March 2012

Wangari Maathai, Our Hero

March 22, 2012 - 11:45PM
Published by Samantha Wilde

On Wednesday, the Green Belt Movement (GBM) with the Ministry of Forestry and WildlifeKenya Forest Service (KFS) and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) celebrated Wangari Maathai Day. Last month the African Union, in recognition of the work of the late Professor Wangari Maathai, designated the 3rd of March as Wangari Maathai Day to be observed each year with Africa Environmental Day.

Reflections from the Aberdares: Women are the cornerstones

March 6, 2012 - 02:00AM
Published by Mercy Karunditu

Women, the cornerstones of African families, raise their children and nurture their families against many odds. Rural women have to overcome poverty, unemployment, gender discrimination, poor access to resources, illiteracy, and lack of empowerment on how to engage in leadership. At times the challenges can be even greater as women who are already disadvantaged face greater violence in their lives.

Rehabilitating the Aberdares: GBM’s Upcoming Documentary

March 6, 2012 - 12:20AM
Published by Samantha Wilde

This January, the Green Belt Movement (GBM), with support from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), began filming our upcoming documentary to show the lessons learned from the AFD Aberdares Rehabilitation Project that started in 2006. The objective of the project was to plant 2,000 hectares of degraded forestland with indigenous trees. To date 3.8 million trees have been planted on 3,800 hectares of public and forestlands. Nearly double the project objective! GBM tree nursery groups grew indigenous trees and planted them in strategic areas that will in time increase tree cover, having a positive impact on ecosystem services like water volume and biodiversity.