Global Impact

From seven trees in Kenya to a worldwide movement for environmental justice

51M+
Trees Planted
50+
Countries Reached
30,000+
Women Employed
6,000+
Tree Nurseries

Green Belt Movement Impact Across Africa

★ KENYA Origin

🌳 Trees Planted
🌱 Tree Nurseries
👩 Women Employed

Map Legend

Origin - Kenya (1977)
Major Impact (1M+ trees)
Moderate Impact (500K+ trees)
Growing Movement
Movement Expansion Path

Click on any marker to see detailed impact statistics

Movement Expansion Timeline

1977

Kenya - The Beginning

Wangari Maathai plants seven trees in Nairobi, launching the Green Belt Movement with a focus on women's empowerment and environmental conservation.

1986

Pan-African Expansion

The Pan African Green Belt Network established, spreading the movement's methodology to Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, and other African nations.

1992

Rio Earth Summit

Global recognition at the UN Earth Summit leads to partnerships with international environmental organizations and expansion beyond Africa.

2004

Nobel Peace Prize

Wangari becomes the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, catalyzing worldwide adoption of community-based tree planting.

2006

Billion Tree Campaign

Wangari helps launch the UN Billion Tree Campaign, which surpasses its goal and plants over 12 billion trees globally.

Today

Continuing Legacy

Over 51 million trees planted across Africa, with the Green Belt Movement methodology adopted in 50+ countries worldwide.

Regional Impact Stories

Kenya

45M+ trees planted 3,000+ tree nurseries 30,000+ women employed

The birthplace of the Green Belt Movement. Over 45 million trees planted since 1977, restoring degraded landscapes, preventing soil erosion, and providing livelihoods for thousands of rural women.

  • Reforested Mount Kenya region
  • Protected Uhuru Park, Nairobi
  • Saved Karura Forest (1,000+ hectares)
  • Created sustainable firewood sources
  • Improved water catchment areas
  • Trained community leaders in 6,000+ groups

Tanzania

2M+ trees planted 600+ nurseries

Green Belt Movement methodology adopted by Tanzanian communities, focusing on coastal forest restoration and community-led conservation since the late 1980s.

  • Coastal mangrove restoration
  • Community forestry programs
  • Women's economic empowerment
  • Kilimanjaro watershed protection

Uganda

1.5M+ trees planted 400+ nurseries

Grassroots tree planting initiatives inspired by Wangari's model, addressing deforestation and land degradation in the Lake Victoria basin.

  • Lake Victoria watershed protection
  • Agroforestry development
  • School tree planting programs
  • Mabira Forest conservation

Ethiopia

5M+ trees planted 500+ nurseries

Ethiopia's massive reforestation efforts drew inspiration from the Green Belt Movement, leading to nationwide tree planting campaigns addressing highland deforestation.

  • National Green Legacy Initiative
  • Community-based restoration
  • Combating desertification in the north
  • Blue Nile watershed protection

Rwanda

800K+ trees planted 200+ nurseries

Post-genocide reforestation efforts embraced GBM principles, combining environmental restoration with community healing and reconciliation.

  • Nyungwe Forest buffer zones
  • Umuganda community planting days
  • Women-led cooperative nurseries

Global Reach

50+ countries inspired 12B+ trees (UN campaign)

Wangari's message spread worldwide, inspiring environmental movements across continents and catalyzing global climate action through her tireless advocacy.

  • UN Billion Tree Campaign (exceeded 12 billion)
  • International women's environmental movements
  • Global environmental education curriculum
  • Climate justice advocacy framework
  • Grassroots organizing model adopted globally

Multifaceted Impact

🌳

Environmental

  • Reforestation of degraded lands
  • Soil erosion prevention
  • Water catchment protection
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Carbon sequestration
👩

Women's Empowerment

  • Economic independence through tree nurseries
  • Leadership development
  • Skills training programs
  • Political participation
  • Community organizing
🤝

Community Development

  • Job creation in rural areas
  • Food security improvement
  • Access to firewood and clean water
  • Social cohesion building
  • Sustainable livelihoods
🗳️

Democracy & Governance

  • Civic engagement promotion
  • Accountability advocacy
  • Pro-democracy activism
  • Human rights defense
  • Policy reform
🎓

Education

  • Environmental education programs
  • Youth leadership training
  • Academic research support
  • Public awareness campaigns
  • Curriculum development
🌍

Global Influence

  • International climate movement
  • UN environmental initiatives
  • Grassroots organizing model
  • Ecofeminism advancement
  • Environmental justice framework