Green the Desert podcast
as guest
Green Belt Movement: From Ground to Growth
Dorothy Aseyo
In this episode of Green the Desert, host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Dorothy Aseyo, Executive Director of the Green Belt Movement, one of Africa’s environmental organizations.
Dorothy shares the movement’s mission to combat desertification through grassroots action, community empowerment, and ecological restoration — continuing the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai. She offers deep insights into the watershed approach to ecosystem restoration, the power of community engagement, and how technology is being used to monitor and scale impact.
This episode dives into:
• The importance of celebrating conservation efforts to sustain motivation
• The value chain approach to environmental investment
• Stories of transformation across communities
• The need for global solidarity in facing climate change
• Dorothy’s own inspiring journey in the field of regeneration
A conversation about hope, leadership, and the grounded work of healing both land and society.
Key takeaways
- • The Green Belt Movement began as a grassroots initiative to empower women through environmental action.
• Community involvement is not optional — it’s the foundation of every successful conservation effort.
• A watershed-based approach guides large-scale ecosystem restoration across Kenya.
• The movement supports a network of over 5,000 community-run tree nurseries, fostering local ownership.
• Technology tools like GIS play an increasingly important role in tracking and scaling impact.
• Celebrating small wins keeps communities motivated and committed to long-term change.
• Sustainability must be locally grounded — one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work.
• Restoration is a long game — rebuilding degraded landscapes can take decades of care.
• Community resistance can be transformed through dialogue, education, and shared vision.
• Elevating local environmental leaders — or “green champions” — is key to driving lasting change.
Useful links
