Community Scouts Lead the Fight Against Deforestation in Marereni
Along Kenya’s northern coastline, the Marereni mangrove forests are more than just a critical ecosystem — they are the lifeblood of the surrounding communities. These coastal forests provide natural defenses against erosion, shelter endangered species like the green sea turtle, and support the livelihoods of hundreds of small-scale fishers. But over the years, unsustainable harvesting, charcoal production, and climate-driven hardship have pushed the mangroves into a state of decline.
To confront these challenges, the COBEC-led Seatrees+ project, which focuses on mangrove restoration, has taken a bold step: empowering local residents to become community scouts, the frontline defenders of the forest.
Currently, 13 scouts — including four women — patrol the 1,248-hectare restoration area. Trained by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), these scouts monitor illegal logging, track biodiversity changes, and engage their neighbors in conservation awareness. Equipped with smartphones and an app for recording data in real time in the field, they log forest incidents, record tree health, and contribute vital intelligence to KFS.
Their impact is already visible. Joint operations have led to 10 successful prosecutions and recovery of illegally harvested mangrove timber. However, the path isn’t easy. Scouts face intense heat, poor accessibility, and occasional hostility from offenders. Lack of patrol vehicles and limited resources often slow response times — and yet, these men and women continue to patrol the muddy mangroves week after week.
Despite the challenges, the community scouts represent a powerful model of community-led conservation. Their presence deters illegal activity, builds local trust, and reinforces the idea that mangrove protection must be rooted in the very communities that depend on them.
In Marereni, restoration isn’t just about planting trees — it’s about growing guardians. As funding tightens, sustaining and expanding the scout program is essential not only for ecological protection but also for long-term community resilience.
