Planting for Peace
Jambo! Welcome to Kenya.
Kenya is a magical country. People come from all over the world to see its natural beauty, amazing animals, and friendly people. From the wooded savannas of the Great Rift Valley, to the white sand beaches of Mombasa, it is beautiful place to explore.
People have been wandering through Kenya for thousands of years. Scientists know that like many of the big animals here, people have also "migrated" (moved around from one place to the next) on the land for a very long time. A connection to the natural world here began many years ago. Large and small animals alike depend on the sprawling grasslands, waterholes, and forests of kenya for their survival. Rhinos, leopards, zebras, and buffalo (to name a few) all have made their homes here. The animals and people of Kenya have found ways to live side by side, in what can often be a very challenging environment. For thousands of years, the people, animals and environment found a balance for survival.
As in many East African countries, much has changed in Kenya over the last 100 years. New people moved to the land, big cities developed, and more food, water and shelter were needed to meet the needs of a growing population. In particular, the five great forests, that cling to the rolling hills and mountain sides of Kenya's landscape, have been in great danger over the last fifty years. The trees have been a source of timber, food, charcoal, and money for the growing population. Unfortunately, cutting the trees for these reasons has led to great environmental degradation across the country. "Degradation" means that the land is no longer healthy and productive. These great forests, attract much needed rain, provide shelter for wildlife, and nourish the soil. When the trees were cut, the balance that had existed between people, animals and the environment for thousands of years was greatly disturbed.
Many people in Kenya understand the importance of the forests, and are looking to protect the remaining trees and plant new trees for the future. One woman, named Wangari Maathai, was so passionate about replanting the forests, that she started the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, and helped to plant millions of trees across the country. She understood that without trees, people would be unhealthy, poor and unhappy, and could not live a good life in Kenya. People around the world were so excited by the hard work and thoughtful ideas of Wangari, that she was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She was the first environmentalist and African woman to win the prize. She made the people of her country very proud, and she helped to give Kenya a healthier, happier and more peaceful future.
Kenya is a magical country. People come from all over the world to see its natural beauty, amazing animals, and friendly people. From the wooded savannas of the Great Rift Valley, to the white sand beaches of Mombasa, it is beautiful place to explore.
People have been wandering through Kenya for thousands of years. Scientists know that like many of the big animals here, people have also "migrated" (moved around from one place to the next) on the land for a very long time. A connection to the natural world here began many years ago. Large and small animals alike depend on the sprawling grasslands, waterholes, and forests of kenya for their survival. Rhinos, leopards, zebras, and buffalo (to name a few) all have made their homes here. The animals and people of Kenya have found ways to live side by side, in what can often be a very challenging environment. For thousands of years, the people, animals and environment found a balance for survival.
As in many East African countries, much has changed in Kenya over the last 100 years. New people moved to the land, big cities developed, and more food, water and shelter were needed to meet the needs of a growing population. In particular, the five great forests, that cling to the rolling hills and mountain sides of Kenya's landscape, have been in great danger over the last fifty years. The trees have been a source of timber, food, charcoal, and money for the growing population. Unfortunately, cutting the trees for these reasons has led to great environmental degradation across the country. "Degradation" means that the land is no longer healthy and productive. These great forests, attract much needed rain, provide shelter for wildlife, and nourish the soil. When the trees were cut, the balance that had existed between people, animals and the environment for thousands of years was greatly disturbed.
Many people in Kenya understand the importance of the forests, and are looking to protect the remaining trees and plant new trees for the future. One woman, named Wangari Maathai, was so passionate about replanting the forests, that she started the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, and helped to plant millions of trees across the country. She understood that without trees, people would be unhealthy, poor and unhappy, and could not live a good life in Kenya. People around the world were so excited by the hard work and thoughtful ideas of Wangari, that she was given the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She was the first environmentalist and African woman to win the prize. She made the people of her country very proud, and she helped to give Kenya a healthier, happier and more peaceful future.