Mangrove Revival in Kenya Restores Nature and Livelihoods Alike
A new wave of hope is sweeping across Kenya’s coastal communities as large-scale mangrove restoration projects transform degraded shorelines into thriving ecosystems — while simultaneously restoring livelihoods.
Spearheaded by Veritree and EarthLungs and funded by Husqvarna Forest and Garden, the initiative is proving that ecological recovery and socio-economic development can grow side by side.
Once devastated by unsustainable harvesting, charcoal production, and rapid coastal development, Kenya’s mangrove forests are now being restored through community-centered efforts. More than 550,000 trees are being planted, with local people at the heart of the work — digging trenches, managing nursery sites, and planting seedlings in nutrient-rich tidal zones.
“For generations, these communities have relied on mangroves for food, medicine, and protection,” said Derrick Emsley, CEO and co-founder of Veritree. “Now, by involving them as leaders in restoration, we’re addressing both environmental decline and poverty.”
The program has already created hundreds of local jobs, empowering residents with new skills while boosting climate resilience and food security. According to Flora Awiro, COO of EarthLungs, “As the mangroves are restored, so is hope. These young forests are creating fresh opportunities for communities long marginalized by environmental degradation.”
Beyond job creation, the mangroves are expected to increase fish stocks by up to 40% over the next decade, while also shielding villages from coastal erosion and storm surges. “We’re rebuilding marine food webs,” said Awiro. “This means more fish, more income, and more stability.”
Husqvarna’s Vice President of Sustainability Affairs, Jonas Willaredt, believes the project sets a global precedent. “This model proves we don’t have to choose between protecting nature and supporting people. When restoration benefits livelihoods, communities become nature’s strongest allies.”
With transparent progress tracking available via Veritree’s monitoring system, the project is also a model of accountability and long-term vision. As trees take root and coastlines revive, Kenya’s mangrove restoration offers a blueprint for sustainable development — one where people and nature thrive together.
