Hearts of green organization

18/09/2026

🌱 Today, the Hearts of Green team, together with the Wangari Maathai Institute and Pioneer Insurance team, made a routine visit to the restoration site at SOUTH Eastern KENYA University (SEKU) to check on the progress of our work.

A key part of this effort is ensuring that the trees we plant have the support they need to survive. The water storage tank installed at the site is helping address water challenges and provide a more reliable source of water for nurturing the growing trees. 🌳

Because successful restoration is not just about putting a tree in the ground, it’s about giving it the care it needs to grow.

17/09/2026

Driving conversations that inspire action for a greener, more sustainable future. 🌱

Featuring Muya Moses, Director, Hearts of Green Organization; Thuita Thenya, Director, Wangari Maathai Institute; and Environmentalist Gichure, Head of Programs – Hearts of Green. 🎙️

🎥 Watch the conversation:

MOSES MUYA IS THE FOUNDER OF HEARTS OF GREEN ORGANIZATION.Connect...

17/09/2026

A look back at one of our tree-planting activities, together with Wangari Maathai Institute and Pioneer Insurance, where hands came together to plant, water and nurture young trees. 🌳💚

Every seedling is a promise of a greener tomorrow.

16/09/2026

🌳 INDIGENOUS vs EXOTIC

Which tree is better for our environment?

It’s not always that simple.

🌿 INDIGENOUS TREES
Trees that naturally occur in Kenya and are adapted to our local ecosystems.

They can provide food and habitat for native wildlife and play an important role in restoring local biodiversity. In one restoration project near Nairobi, replacing exotic trees with hundreds of indigenous species was associated with a major increase in recorded bird species and the return of colobus monkeys.

🌱 EXOTIC TREES
Trees introduced from other parts of the world.

Some, such as Eucalyptus, pine and cypress, are widely grown in Kenya because they can provide timber, poles and fuelwood.

💡 THE SURPRISING PART?

A fast-growing exotic tree isn't automatically a bad tree — and an indigenous tree isn't automatically the right choice for every situation.

The right tree depends on the purpose and the place.

For forest restoration, biodiversity and protecting natural ecosystems, indigenous species can be particularly valuable.

For timber, poles or other production purposes, some exotic species can have important economic uses when appropriately planted and managed.

So, when planting a tree, don't just ask:
"How fast will it grow?"

Ask:
"What will this tree give back to this ecosystem?" 🌱

15/09/2026

How much of a tree is actually underground? 🌳

When we look at a tree, we mostly see the trunk, branches and leaves.

But beneath the soil is an entire root system that anchors the tree, absorbs water and nutrients, stores energy and supports healthy growth. 🌿

Did you know?

A tree’s roots can spread far beyond the width of its canopy. In many trees, most of the roots are found relatively close to the soil surface, where oxygen, water and nutrients are available.

The part we don't see is just as important as the part we do.

15/09/2026

💧 DID YOU KNOW?

🌽 MAIZE MAY NEED UP TO 800 MM OF WATER DURING ITS GROWING SEASON.

But what does 800 mm actually mean?

That’s roughly 800 litres of water falling on every 1 m² of land over the growing season.

For farmers, understanding water needs can help with better planning, especially where rainfall is unreliable.

🌱 Water needs vary depending on climate, soil type and the growth stage of the maize.

14/09/2026

When we hear “landscape restoration,” we might think of planting trees. But restoration is much more than that. 🌱

It means helping degraded landscapes recover their ability to support people, wildlife and healthy ecosystems.

That can include:
🌳 Growing and caring for trees
🌱 Restoring vegetation and ground cover
💧 Improving soil and water management
🐝 Supporting biodiversity
🤝 Involving communities in caring for the landscape
📊 Monitoring progress and adapting where needed

At LANSRET, restoration doesn't end when a seedling is planted. We focus on what happens afterwards: survival, care, monitoring and long-term growth.

Because true restoration isn't just about putting trees in the ground.

It's about helping landscapes recover and thrive. 🌿

11/09/2026

El Niño is more than rain. What happens when that rain meets the land matters too. 🌱

Read our latest blog on how healthy landscapes can help build resilience.

https://heartsofgreen.org/el-nino-is-more-than-rain-what-does-it-mean-for-kenyas-landscapes/

When we hear El Niño, we often think of heavy rain. But El Niño is more than just rainfall.It is a climate pattern that can influence rainfall and temperature patterns in Kenya

11/09/2026

🌧️ El Niño: It's More Than Just Rain

Think El Niño simply means more rain? Think again.

El Niño is a climate pattern driven by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. Its ripple effects reach far beyond the Pacific, including shifts in rainfall and temperature across parts of Africa.

In Kenya, that can mean heavier rainfall, flooding and soil erosion in some areas, while others face very different conditions entirely.

And when heavy rain meets degraded land, the damage compounds fast: runoff, erosion, loss of fertile soil, and long-term harm to the landscape.

🌱 This is why landscape restoration matters.

Healthy landscapes — with strong vegetation, healthy soils and functioning ecosystems — absorb, slow and manage water far more effectively than degraded ones.

El Niño isn't just about how much rain falls. It's about what happens when that rain hits the ground.

👉 Is your landscape ready for heavy rains?

10/09/2026

🧠Can You Identify the Species?

Here’s a quick challenge for nature lovers!

Can you identify this tree species from the photo? 🌳

Drop your answer in the comments 👇

🌱 Is it indigenous to Kenya?
🗣️ Do you know what it’s called in your local language?