Youth for Climate Action; Ngong Restoration Project
In the shadow of the majestic Ngong Hills, a generation of environmental champions is rising—armed not with plaque cards and protest songs, but with tree seedlings, science-backed strategies, and a deep resolve to do good and justice to mother nature and the environment and restore what generations past before have lost.
Team Environment Kenya, “The National Youth Environment and Conservation Movement” a youth-led climate action group, has launched an ambitious conservation mission aimed at restoring the degraded ecosystem of the Ngong Hills—a once-pristine landscape now at the verge of extinction as a result of deforestation, degradation, and climate change.
This initiative, according to Mr. Yassin Ali the Communication Director Team Environment Kenya, is more than just about planting trees. “It’s about planting hope, restoring ecosystems, reclaiming our future, and building a movement that connects young people to nature and empowers them to become stewards of common home, “planet earth,” he says.
Ngong Hills, is one of the water towers and therefore the source of Ngong River that flows through Nairobi. It is famed for their natural beauty, breathtaking view and cultural significance to the maa community, it however has not been spared from the impacts of human activity. Unsustainable utilization of these natural resources by the community through activities such as; – charcoal burning, and uncontrolled grazing have caused erosion and affected the Ngong hills ecosystems biodiversity. The mission to rehabilitate the area is timely—not only for Kenya’s climate resilience goals but also in line with global efforts to combat climate change and mitigate the devastating effects of global warming.
This year’s conservation mission is being undertaken under the theme: – “Limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C is a Collective Responsibility: Leaving No One Behind,” a theme that captures the crisis and the urgency that is needed to do something individually and collectively through a concerted effort.
To amplify the conversation, Team Environment Kenya in partnership with Strathmore University and the National Youth Council will be hosting the SDG’s Conclave-dialogue, climate action, agro-ecology, agro-forestry conference that is scheduled for Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th October 2025 at the Strathmore University, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM daily.
The two days conference will bring together climate actors, environments scientists, youth leaders, policymakers, community representatives, and private sector players to discuss how communities—especially the youth—can actively contribute to keeping global warming below the critical 1.5°C threshold.
“SDG’s Conclave dialogue shall provide and a platform to bridge the gap between policy makers, climate actors and grassroots players” says Yassin. “It will also challenge the narrative that climate change solutions are only for governments or big corporations. But that everyone of us has a role to play, “Leaving No One Behind.”
Topics an thematic areas to addressed include; – climate-smart agriculture (agro-ecology), agro-forestry, circular economy, clean green and renewable energy adoption, youth policy inclusion, and community-led conservation. There will also be breakout sessions, interactive exhibitions, and live testimonies from communities directly impacted by climate-related disasters.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C is critical to avoid the worst effects of climate change—ranging from extreme droughts and food insecurity to rising sea levels and loss of biodiversity.
“The 1.5°C goal is not just a number. It’s about human survival and other biodiversity’s in different ecosystem on the planet earth one of which is the Ngong Hills, says environmental scientist and event speaker Dr. Lorna Waithera.
Team Environment Kenya proactive engagement in their conservation efforts, bring about landscape restoration – agro-foresty, agro-ecology and policy dialogue and the aim of increasing awareness and in the process encourage many young people to engage in the addressing the climate crisis—not just as activists, but as thought leaders, opinion shapers, innovators, and solution-providers.
Backed by a vast network of youthful environmental enthusiasts, volunteers in schools, institution & communities across the different counties in the country and strategic partners, the organization public and private, Team Environment Kenya has mobilized hundreds of youth to take part in reforestation drives, clean-up campaigns, and environmental education programs across the country.
“This is our time,” Yassin adds. “We’re not waiting to inherit leadership—we’re already leading by transforming our environment and impacting lives.” In our little and small ways.
As the countdown to the October SDGs Conclave Month dialogue begins, we (TEK) are calling on students, professionals, civil society groups, government departments, and the private sector to participate, and support the events.
Whether by joining to participate in the Webinars, and online engagements that we shall be having from the 1st to 17th of Oct, for the Two days conference Wed 8th and Thur 9th at the Kabarak University, for the Cycling 4 a Cause; Climate Action Event on Sat 11th Oct and finally a three day tree planting (growing) expedition Wed 15th, Thur 16th, Fri 17th and Sat 18th at the Ngong Hills for the Family Fun and Children Environmental Day.
Our Mission is One to Combat CLIMATE CHANGE, it’s a collective responsibility. Our Clarion is, “Let Us Go Green with You.”
As the world races against time to cap the rising temperatures, the youth of Kenya are showing what is possible when, “vision meets action”—in the above regard we are determined to, “Leave No One Behind.”
Authored by,
Communication Director TEK,
Yassin Ali
