ReforestationKulal Indigenous Tree Initiative
Restoring 50 hectares of degraded forest with indigenous species nurtured by local women’s groups.
Community-Based Organisation · Marsabit, KenyaProtecting Mount Kulal.
Protecting Mount Kulal.
Empowering Communities.
Preserving Nature.
Wazee wa Mazingira is a grassroots conservation movement safeguarding the sacred forests, biodiversity, and pastoralist heritage of Mount Kulal — through youth leadership, indigenous knowledge, and sustainable community development.
About the Organisation
A movement rooted in the highlands of Marsabit.
For generations, the elders of the Mount Kulal region have been the silent guardians of one of Kenya’s most fragile and biodiverse landscapes. Wazee wa Mazingira, “Elders of the Environment,” carries that legacy forward, uniting indigenous stewardship with modern conservation science to protect forests, water sources, and the communities that depend on them.
We work alongside pastoralist families, schools, and youth across the Gabra, Rendille and Samburu communities to restore degraded ecosystems, champion biodiversity, and create dignified livelihoods grounded in the land.
Our Mission
To protect the ecological integrity of Mount Kulal and empower communities to lead sustainable, dignified lives.
Our Vision
A thriving, resilient Mount Kulal ecosystem stewarded by empowered communities for generations to come.
Our Values
Indigenous wisdom · Integrity · Community leadership · Stewardship · Inclusion of women and youth.
“The mountain feeds us. Now we rise to protect her.”
— A Gabra elder, Mount Kulal
Our Impact
Conservation that is lived, not lectured.
Six interlocking pillars of work that protect Mount Kulal’s ecosystem while improving the lives of the people who call it home.
Forest Protection
Patrolling, restoring and defending the indigenous cloud forest of Mount Kulal against deforestation and degradation.
Biodiversity Conservation
Safeguarding rare species, endemic flora and migratory wildlife corridors across the Kulal ecosystem.
Community Awareness
Convening barazas, radio dialogues and village forums that put conservation in the hands of local people.
Environmental Education
Training the next generation of stewards through school clubs, youth fellowships and field mentorship.
Sustainable Livelihoods
Beekeeping, agroforestry and dryland farming that turn conservation into dignified household income.
Water & Catchments
Protecting springs, rehabilitating water pans and restoring the catchment systems that sustain pastoralist life.
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Indigenous trees planted
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Villages engaged
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Youth mobilised
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Years on the ground
The Sacred Mountain
Mount Kulal — a living biosphere reserve.
Rising more than 2,300 metres above the Chalbi desert, Mount Kulal is a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve and an ecological island. Its montane cloud forest captures moisture from the air, feeds springs that sustain entire pastoralist communities, and shelters species found nowhere else on Earth.
For the Gabra, Rendille and Samburu peoples, Kulal is sacred ground — the source of life, story, and identity. Protecting it is not an environmental choice; it is a cultural inheritance.
- 2,335 m
- Peak elevation
- 1979
- Designated Biosphere Reserve
- 700+
- Documented plant species
- 180+
- Resident & migratory birds
Projects & Programs
Work that takes root in the soil and the soul of Kulal.
Reforestation
BiodiversityKulal Wildlife Watch
Citizen-science monitoring of birds, mammals and pollinators across the Kulal ecosystem.
EducationGreen Schools of Kulal
Environmental clubs in 14 primary and secondary schools across Loiyangalani, Gatab and Kargi wards.
CommunityElders & Indigenous Knowledge
Documenting traditional ecological knowledge and embedding it in modern conservation planning.
Awards & Recognition
Recognised on the world stage. Grounded in community.
Featured Award · November 2025
UNESCO-Greece Melina Mercouri International Prize
USD 30,000 prize for the Safeguarding and Management of Cultural Landscapes — one of the most prestigious international honours for community-led conservation, awarded jointly by UNESCO and the Government of Greece.
2025 · November 7
UNESCO-Greece Melina Mercouri International Prize
USD 30,000 award for Safeguarding and Management of Cultural Landscapes — recognising community stewardship of Mount Kulal.
2024
National Environmental Recognition
Honoured by the Ministry of Environment for outstanding contribution to indigenous forest conservation.
2023
County Conservation Partnership
Marsabit County Government partnership for community-led ecosystem restoration.
2022
Community Stewardship Award
Recognised by regional conservation network for grassroots leadership and biodiversity work.
Events & Activities
Moments from the field.
Youth Registration Portal
Become a steward of Mount Kulal.
Join hundreds of young people from the wards and villages of Marsabit shaping the future of conservation in northern Kenya. Training, mentorship and a real role in protecting our land await.
- Field training in forest restoration
- Leadership & community organising
- Mentorship from conservation practitioners
- Stipend-supported field deployments
Community Voices
The mountain speaks through her people.
“Through Wazee wa Mazingira I found a purpose. I now lead a youth group restoring our village water springs.”
Lemarpe K.
Youth Volunteer, Gatab Ward
The future of Mount Kulal is written by hands that protect it.
Become a partner, a donor, a youth volunteer, or simply an advocate. Every story of Kulal’s renewal begins with a single step.
Get in touch
Let’s build a greener Kulal together.
Whether you are a partner organisation, donor, journalist, or community member, we would love to hear from you.