In 2021, as Kenya endured its third consecutive year of drought, the once-thriving rangelands of the Tana Delta had been reduced to dust. Even in the heart of the delta—where towering grasses typically flourish in flood-fed clay soils—not a single blade remained standing.
Lameck Kibet, who leads the local community forest association Back to Eden, described the crisis. Prolonged droughts had driven desperate herders from as far as Mandera in the country’s north-easternmost corner into the delta, overwhelming its fragile ecosystem.
“Even if it rained for a month straight, there’s no grass left in the ground to grow back,” he told us then.
Today, a decade after an ambitious ecosystem restoration effort began, life is returning to the delta. Communities that once faced devastation are reclaiming their livelihoods, and degraded lands are teeming with biodiversity once more.
At the heart of this transformation is the Tana Green Heart Initiative—a project designed to drive sustainable economic growth, promote conservation, and bolster climate resilience. Led by Nature Kenya in collaboration with local authorities, the initiative integrates private sector engagement to ensure long-term environmental and economic benefits.
“This approach creates sustainable jobs, supports responsible production, and allows both wildlife and communities to thrive while sharing the same resources,” explains Dr. Paul Matiku, Executive Director of Nature Kenya.
Discover the impact of this ground-breaking initiative. Watch the full documentary here.
