The Green Belt Movement (GBM) is a grassroots non-governmental organization (NGO) that has worked in environmental conservation and community development in Kenya for over 25 years. Founded in 1977 by Prof. Wangari Maathai , GBM has used tree planting as an entry point to community development in 9 districts nationwide (Bungoma, Embu, Kisii, Machakos, Maragua/Muranga, Meru, Nyeri, South Nyanza, Trans Nzoia). While tree planting has always been the focal activity, GBM programs have expanded to include projects in indigenous tree planting, civic education, advocacy, food security, greenbelt eco-safaris, and "women and change". Through these projects GBM has succeeded in promoting environmental consciousness, volunteerism, conservation of local biodiversity, self-empowerment, community development and accountability.

For her work, Prof. Maathai and GBM have received numerous awards. Some of these include; The Sophie Prize (2004), Arbor Day award (2004), Conservation Scientist Award (2004), The Petra Kelly Prize for Environment (2004), WANGO Environment Award (2003), Outstanding Vision and Commitment Award (2002), Excellence Award from the Kenyan Community Abroad (2001), the Juliet Hollister Award (2001), the Golden Ark Award (1994), the Jane Adams Leadership Award (1993), the Edinburgh Medal (1993), UN's Africa Prize for Leadership (1991), the Goldman Environmental prize (1991), the Woman of the World (1989), the Windstar Award for the Environment (1988), the Better World Society Award (1986), the Right Livelihood Award (1984) and the Woman of the Year award (1983). Prof. Maathai was also listed on UNEP's Global 500 Hall of Fame and named one of the 100 heroines of the world. In June 1997, Wangari was elected by Earth Times as one of 100 persons in the World who have made a difference in the environmental arena. She has also received honorary doctoral degrees from several institutions around the world.

CORE PROGRAMS

Environmental Conservation/Tree Planting:

Since 1977, GBM has led a nationwide campaign to conserve local biodiversity, enhance natural beauty and prevent soil erosion. Experts say that a forest cover of 10% is required for a country to sustain life naturally - availability of rain, availability of underground water, soil fertility, and clean air and prevention of soil erosion and beauty. At present Kenya's forest cover is less than 2%. The GBM is therefore fully engaged in the campaign, promoting the planting of indigenous trees in forest catchment areas, private farms and public spaces to preserve local biological diversity. The GBM strategy is based on a ten-step procedure that culminates in the purchase of seedlings by GBM from groups. The groups benefit from the income generated through the sale of their seedlings, and the goal towards reforestation is advanced.

In Muthetheni division of Machakos District, a water-harvesting project has been initiated to support conservation and food security activities in the area. In this semi-arid area, water is abundant at some times of the year and completely lacking in others. As a result GBM in collaboration with the Embassy of Germany, has piloted the construction of sand dams to capture water during rainy seasons.

Civic & Environmental Education

Recognizing the need to strengthen civil society's concern for the environment, GBM established a pilot civic education and advocacy project to raise public awareness on the need to protect the environment and be active participants in the political process by voting. Through seminars offered at the GBM Learning Center in Nairobi, participants have received information on good governance, culture & the environment, advocacy and environmental justice since 1992. Most seminars involve resource persons conversant with the linkages between poor governance, bottlenecks to development and the environment. To date, close to 10,000 people have been trained to date

Advocacy & Networking

Advocacy activities within GBM began in the late 1980s when gross mismanagement and abuse of the environment was tolerated by the government. In response to this GBM directed its advocacy efforts towards preventing forest destruction, ending poor governance and ending human rights atrocities such as tribal clashes and corruption (especially the illegal allocation of public land). To date, GBM has made significant contributions not only in rehabilitating the physical environment but also in raising environmental consciousness through myriads of workshops and seminars on civic and environmental education. Throughout the country the public recalls with deep appreciation, GBM's successful efforts to save Uhuru Park, Karura Forest and Jivanjee Gardens - all major green spaces in the city of Nairobi that were threatened by illegal allocation.

Pan-African Training Workshops

The environmental problems that GBM addresses are not unique to Kenya. They can be found among communities in numerous countries. There is therefore a need for a systematic approach to the deforestation challenge. In recognition of this need, Dr. Mostafa Tolba (then Executive Director, United Nations Environmental Program- UNEP) challenged GBM to share its methodologies and approach with development workers and stakeholders in Africa and beyond. In 1997, GBM established a Pan-African Green Network to share the GBM approach through two-week training workshops. The overall goal of the program was to share the approach while raising awareness on the importance of conserving local biodiversity. Since 1998, 3 Pan-African workshops have been held during which 55 persons from 36 organizations of 15 African countries have participated.

Green Belt Safaris

Given the growing outside interest in the success of GBM's community-based approach to environmental conservation, GBM organized for visits to the community projects where guests experience the work by staying and working with communities for 5-7 days. This followed by a few days of conventional tourism developed into Green Belt Safaris (GBS). The mission is to offer a unique cultural experience through community home stays where guests enjoy a rich exchange with their host-families while participating in field activities (seed collection, nursery preparation, tree planting, food security/processing and civic education), community projects, harvesting, meal preparation etc. Since 2000, GBS has hosted 10 groups for community-based safaris.

In 2003, The GAIA Foundation facilitated the establishment of the Earth Community Network to create experiential learning opportunities for individuals and institutions interested in exploring ways in which we can live in a mutually beneficial manner with nature. The network comprises organizations from 7 countries (Botswana, Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and South Africa) that are involved in inspiring individuals and communities to protect and appreciate the natural world. In Kenya, the learning opportunity is offered through the Green Belt Movement. Through this program participants engage in a two-week experience that combines participatory discussions with local leaders at the GBM learning Center, community home stays with GBM groups and a wilderness excursion (Aberdare National Park). The first of these courses is scheduled for January 2004.

Focusing on culture, the Kenyan experience will explore the various elements of culture: language, food (seeds, preparation, storage, tools, eating habits), clothing, names, songs (dances and music), greetings, symbols, agriculture & wildlife, architecture, tools/technology, rituals (ceremonies, myths, religion), stories, system of governance, traditional medicine (healers, tools), art of writing, and values. All of these attributes, in their collectivity, form an intricate web, which gives every community its identity, character, self-pride, self-respect and purpose.

Women for Change (Capacity Building)

"Women and Girls" is the newest GBM program. Commissioned in early 2003, the program aims to:

· Assist, especially young girls and women, to face the challenges of growing up, making complex decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, and gaining knowledge and skills to protect themselves from HIV and AIDS

· Facilitate the establishment of income generating activities (IGAs) such as tree planting, bee keeping and food processing to engender economic empowerment

· Promote healthy eating habits, especially of indigenous food crops known to have high nutritional value, through food production and processing