Green Belt Movement

African organization

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July 16, 2026

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The Green Belt Movement is an African environmental organization founded in 1977 by Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai. The movement's primary goal is to combat deforestation and desertification by encouraging rural women to plant trees. By the early 21st century, the organization had successfully planted approximately 30 million trees. This initiative has inspired similar environmental efforts in other African nations, such as Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe. Maathai, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, also advocated for human rights, women's rights, and AIDS prevention.1

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Kenya
Plant and animal life
…of deforestation and desertification, the Green Belt Movement, an organization founded in 1977 by environmentalist Wangari Maathai (winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize), had planted some 30 million trees by the early 21st century.
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…of deforestation and desertification, the Green Belt Movement, an organization founded in 1977 by environmentalist Wangari Maathai (winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize), had planted some 30 million trees by the early 21st century.
Read More

Wangari Maathai
The Green Belt Movement, an organization she founded in 1977, had by the early 21st century planted some 30 million trees. Leaders of the Green Belt Movement established the Pan African Green Belt Network in 1986 in order to educate world leaders about conservation and environmental…
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The Green Belt Movement, an organization she founded in 1977, had by the early 21st century planted some 30 million trees. Leaders of the Green Belt Movement established the Pan African Green Belt Network in 1986 in order to educate world leaders about conservation and environmental…
Read More