why it matters
Guardians of Nature & People
Mangroves and terrestrial forests are vital ecosystems that provide a wide array of environmental, social, and economic benefits. Mangroves sequester up to four times more carbon than terrestrial forests, making them powerful allies in the fight against climate change. They also act as natural nurseries for marine life, protect coastlines from storms and erosion, and support sustainable livelihoods through activities like fishing, honey production, and ecotourism. Terrestrial forests, on the other hand, store immense amounts of carbon, provide habitat for the majority of Earth’s land-based species, and play a critical role in regulating water cycles, preventing floods and landslides. They, too, support local economies through sustainable use of resources such as timber, medicinal plants, and non-timber forest products.
Restoring both mangrove and terrestrial forests is not just about reviving degraded landscapes, it’s about safeguarding the future for people and the planet. Agroforestry plays a key role in this effort. As a nature-based solution, agroforestry enhances agricultural productivity while delivering environmental gains. By integrating trees into farming systems, smallholder farmers can diversify income, improve food security, and build resilience to climate change. When applied in both mangrove and terrestrial restoration, agroforestry addresses root causes of land degradation and increases carbon storage in biomass and soil, creating more resilient and productive landscapes.
Sustainable Development Goals
Our work aligns with both national policies and legal frameworks, as well as multilateral environmental agreements. Notable national policies and legal frameworks are the Kenya Constitution (2010), Kenya Vision 2030, the Forest Conservation and Management Act, and the National Forest Programme (2016–2030). On the other hand, some of the multilateral environmental agreements include: i) the Convention on Biological Diversity, ii) the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030)—a global rallying call to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem degradation, and iii) the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:
SDG 13
Climate Action – through carbon sequestration and ecosystem-based adaptation.
SDG 14
Life Below Water – by protecting mangroves, which serve as nurseries for marine biodiversity.
SDG 15
Life on Land – by restoring terrestrial forests and preventing land degradation.
SDG 1 & 2
No Poverty and Zero Hunger – by creating sustainable livelihoods and strengthening food security through agroforestry.
