Along Kenya’s eastern shoreline, a quiet transformation is underway. Once-barren patches of coast in Marereni and Mida Creek are now sprouting with young mangrove seedlings — planted by the hands of local women and youth determined to protect their home.
For decades, mangrove loss from overharvesting and development left communities exposed. Without these coastal forests, fisheries declined, storms hit harder, and valuable carbon stores disappeared. But today, hope is taking root.
Seatrees in Action at Marereni
At the heart of this revival is Seatrees’ partnership with COBEC (Community Based Environmental Conservation) and the local community in Marereni. Together, we’ve planted 1,090,000 mangrove seedlings, successfully restoring 109 hectares of degraded land since 2023. Beyond planting, the project has directly engaged and supported over 800 local community members, creating jobs, supporting livelihoods, and empowering women and youth as environmental leaders.
This is what climate solutions look like on the ground: restoration that heals ecosystems and uplifts people.
Communities Leading the Way
Groups like the Neema Muslim Women Group play a central role — gathering mangrove seeds, raising them in nurseries, and carefully replanting them in degraded areas. Each seedling represents more than just a tree — it’s food security for local fishers, protection for vulnerable shorelines, and a step toward climate resilience.
The benefits ripple outward: restored forests nurture biodiversity, stabilize coastlines, and provide sustainable income opportunities. By weaving ecological restoration with community empowerment, the project ensures long-lasting impact.
Why It Matters
Kenya’s coastal revival is proof of what’s possible when restoration is rooted in local leadership and strengthened by global support. These forests don’t just grow back — they grow stronger, along with the people who care for them.
🌱 Together, we can scale this success. Support community-driven mangrove restoration here.
👉 To dive deeper into this story, read the full article at India Today: Kenya's coastal revival as communities restore mangrove forests
