Collective Action for Environmental Change: World Conservation Day

Conserving and restoring the natural world will require systematic and enduring action from governments, institutions and companies. But while the role of the individual in efforts towards a more sustainable future have often been overplayed, it shouldn’t be overlooked entirely. 

Formally created in 1972 at the UN Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, World Conservation Day (July 28th) recognises the need for global environmental action, and aims to inspire individuals to take action and protect the planet for future generations.

It serves as a reminder of the role each individual can, and should, play in the effort to safeguard the planet. 

In that spirit, we’ve laid out just some of the ways we’re working with individual farmers and smallholder communities across the world to build sustainability into the heart of their work. 

Tree planting 

Simple, but highly impactful. Since our founding, Haller has worked with smallholders to plant over 2.5 million trees. Kenya is the least forested country in Africa, with just 7% of the country covered by trees. Tree planting helps to combat rising carbon dioxide levels as forests act as carbon sinks, but also supports biodiversity and soil health. 

These individual and community led actions contribute to much bigger goals. In 2022 the Kenyan government launched a campaign to plant 15 billion trees over the course of 10 years, aiming to increase national forest cover to 30%. This goal will never be realised without smallholder farmers across the country committing to their own tree planting initiatives. 

Clean up the environment 

As part of our community outreach programme in Kenya, our team runs regular environmental clean up activities. Focused on collecting rubbish and engaging communities in collective environmental action. The collected plastic is then transformed and repurposed, reducing reliance on external resources. 

Lasting impacts are built upon small, frequent actions that add up over time. Engaging young people in clean ups helps to build an understanding and appreciation of the natural world, and the steps that can be taken to conserve it. 

Educate and advocate

A large part of Haller’s efforts in Kenya, and more broadly around the world, are focused on educating smallholder communities about the importance of sustainability, and advocating for the incorporation of regenerative methods within everyday agricultural practices. 

Education is delivered in person, at our training plot and on community outreaches. But our program of education extends beyond communities in Kenya through our Haller Farmers App. With smallholders from over 180 countries accessing the app, we’ve scaled the potential impact of this sustainable education through technology. 

The ultimate aim? Turn smallholder farmers into educators, who can take the knowledge and skills developed through work with Haller to their communities and beyond.  

Interested in learning more about our work in East Africa and beyond? Get in touch.