The Hongera Reforestation Project is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: restoring forests by working hand in hand with the people who live closest to them. Our vision goes beyond planting trees—it is about rebuilding ecosystems, securing water resources, protecting biodiversity, and creating opportunities for the communities that sustain these landscapes.
Drone photo of a tree nursery in Kenya. Hongera Reforestation Project, Green Earth.
A cornerstone of this mission is our network of community-run nurseries, which supply the seedlings that make reforestation possible. These nurseries ensure that every tree planted is not only the right species for the land but also nurtured by local expertise and care. They also serve as engines of economic empowerment, giving community members a direct stake in restoration.
Read more: What makes Green Earth’s reforestation projects unique?
At Green Earth we also have our own nurseries where we grow the seedlings which will later become forests, but we also collaborate with local nurseries, especially for sourcing indigenous species. One shining example is the Chaka Gwikuria Women Group, based in Nyeri County’s Kieni West sub-county. Founded in 2014 as a small merry-go-round initiative among 10 women, the group’s original purpose was simple: to support one another with small financial contributions and shared effort. But their ambition quickly grew. By 2015, they had registered with the Muringato Community Forest Association (CFA) and received training on establishing and managing a tree nursery.
Tree seedling nursery. Hongera Reforestation Project, Green Earth.
With an acre of land allocated to them, the group built their capacity step by step, learning nursery management and embracing conservation. Their breakthrough came in 2023, when they became the first group in Muringato CFA to sign a contract to supply seedlings to large-scale reforestation projects in the region. Today, they propagate more than half a million seedlings every year, ranging from indigenous tree species to avocado seedlings.
Read more: A firsthand look at our impact in Kenya
The impact of their work has been transformative. Since 2023, seedling sales have generated more than $11,000 (1.4 million Kenyan shillings). This income has allowed members to invest in land ownership, with a goal of purchasing 10 plots by 2027. They have also gained access to training and financial literacy programmes, equipping them with skills that extend beyond forestry. Through local savings cooperatives, they are building long-term resilience and opening up opportunities for loans and future investments.
What started as a small community group is now a model of how reforestation can uplift lives. By supporting their nursery, the Hongera Project is not only restoring forests but also enabling women to strengthen their families’ futures and achieve financial independence.
The seedlings produced by the Chaka Gwikuria Women Group and other local nurseries are central to the Hongera Project’s reforestation work. These nurseries ensure a reliable supply of high-quality seedlings adapted to local conditions, which is essential for achieving large-scale restoration. By rooting our supply chain in the community, the project creates a cycle of mutual benefit: The forests are restored, biodiversity is protected, and the people driving the change are rewarded with tangible livelihoods.
Two women from a local community on an avocado plantation. Hongera Reforestation Project, Green Earth.
This integrated approach is what makes the Hongera Project unique. It is not only about reversing deforestation but about creating ecosystems—both natural and social—that can thrive for generations.
Read more: Green Earth’s Hongera Reforestation Project: 600 hectares and growing
Like all ambitious projects, there are challenges to overcome. Water shortages, drought, and limited resources occasionally threaten nursery operations, and the demand for manpower sometimes exceeds what local groups can provide. Yet the determination of these communities and the support structures in place ensure that solutions are always within reach.
The Hongera Reforestation Project spans over 41 years. Since the feasibility study in 2021 and the first planting season in 2022, progress has been steady and deeply impactful. With each season, more land is restored, more families benefit from income opportunities, and more biodiversity takes root in previously degraded areas.
Green Earth team members and members from a local community on a project site in Kenya. Hongera Reforestation Project, Green Earth.
The Chaka Gwikuria Women Group embodies the spirit of this project: resilience, community, and vision for a greener future. By working together, we are not only planting forests but also sowing the seeds of sustainable prosperity across Kenya.
Read more: The social impact of Green Earth’s projects
When you choose to support the Hongera Reforestation Project through top-quality carbon units, you’re not just balancing numbers on a report, you’re actively rebuilding forests, protecting endangered ecosystems, and fueling local prosperity. These credits are proof of impact: every unit backed by thriving trees in the ground and stronger communities around them. For businesses, it’s more than compensation—it’s a bold statement of leadership, showing that growth and regeneration can go hand in hand.
