Category: Environment
LAMU, Kenya—A growing youth-led environmental movement is taking root along the shores of Lamu, where young people are stepping forward to protect mangrove forests and promote environmental conservation across the coastal county.
At the center of the initiative is Nasoor Mahfudh Mohammed, a youthful environmental activist and leader of the Lamu Youth Organisation, a community group mobilising young people to safeguard the county’s fragile ecosystems.
Through regular mangrove planting drives along the Lamu coastline, Mohammed and fellow volunteers have been working to restore degraded mangrove areas while educating communities on the importance of protecting indigenous coastal vegetation.
“Mangroves are very important for our communities because they protect our shores, support marine life, and help fight climate change,” Mohammed said. “If we take care of them today, we are protecting the future of our ocean and our livelihoods.”
Lamu hosts the largest mangrove ecosystem in Kenya, accounting for more than half of the country’s mangrove forests and supporting thousands of coastal families who depend on marine resources for survival.
Environmental experts note that mangrove forests act as natural barriers against coastal erosion while serving as breeding grounds for fish, crabs, and other marine species that sustain the local fishing economy.
Beyond mangrove restoration, the youth organisation also leads tree planting campaigns across different parts of the county to conserve indigenous tree species and promote climate resilience.
The group has also adopted innovative approaches to environmental awareness by organising community activities such as beach soccer tournaments and youth gatherings aimed at engaging young people in ocean conservation.
According to Mohammed, these activities help bring communities together while spreading the message about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
“Young people must be part of environmental protection. Through sports, community events, and conservation activities, we are building a generation that understands the value of nature,” he said.
Local conservationists say youth-driven initiatives are becoming increasingly important in protecting coastal ecosystems as communities face growing environmental pressures from climate change, population growth, and resource exploitation.
For Mohammed and his fellow volunteers, the mission goes beyond planting trees.
“We are not just planting mangroves,” he said. “We are planting hope for the future of Lamu and the planet.”
