With the powerful conviction that "Youth are not the future but the present," Christine Bonareri, representing YPARD Kenya, joined other young leaders for the immersive Youth in Landscapes Workshop, held from June 16–19, 2025, at the World Agroforestry (ICRAF) campus in Nairobi. The workshop served as a precursor to the GLF Africa 2025 conference. YPARD is part of the Youth in Landscapes Steering Committee along with other organizations, and was involved in the setting up of this workshop.
As a representative of YPARD Kenya, Christine delivered a presentation highlighting the organization’s mission and impact. YPARD Kenya is a dynamic network of over 2,500 members—including farmers, students, researchers, and agripreneurs—working together to advance youth engagement in agriculture. Her presentation emphasized YPARD’s core pillars: advocacy, capacity building, and networking, which create opportunities for professional growth, training, and global visibility for young people.
A key component of the workshop was a field visit to the Lari Landscape in Kiambu County, where participants observed the work of Kijabe Environment Volunteers (KENVO). This community-based organization has played a central role in conserving and restoring the Kikuyu Escarpment Forest. KENVO demonstrates how conservation and community livelihoods can go hand-in-hand by supporting eco-friendly, income-generating activities such as beekeeping, ecotourism, and the cultivation of herbal medicines. Their success in restoring large tracts of indigenous forest underscores a powerful truth: "When you give back to nature, it gives back to you."
The workshop offered profound learning experiences, crystallizing key insights for participants:
These takeaways reinforced a central message shared during the sessions: “Land is not just property—it’s life.”
Following the workshop, Christine took part in the main GLF Africa 2025 conference, themed “Innovate, Restore, Prosper.” She served as a Creative Volunteer for the Vision Wall, where she facilitated an interactive space allowing attendees to share their aspirations for Africa’s landscapes. This exercise embodied the belief that “If knowledge is power, then shared knowledge is shared power,” contributing to a collective vision for a sustainable and inclusive continent.
For youth who couldn’t attend, Christine shared this message:
"Be present. Connect, learn, and share. Each of us has a role to play in bringing about change."
Closing her presentation, she affirmed:
"The challenges are real—but so is our capacity to cultivate landscapes that heal both land and lives. Every site we touch is a chance to restore connection between people and place, between past and future."
This experience reaffirms a vital truth: Young people are not just waiting in the wings—they are leading the way today.
Five additional YPARD Kenya members—Emily Dacha, Fredrick Obiero, Enock Mogaka, Irene Kagera, and Lordestus Otuoma—attended the Global Landscapes Forum in person and shared powerful reflections on the experience. For the delegation, GLF Africa 2025 was more than just a conference—it was a bold call to action for the continent’s future. Under the theme “Innovate, Restore, Prosper,” leaders, scientists, Indigenous communities, youth, and investors united around a common vision: Africa’s landscapes are central to its prosperity.
Nature is our greatest economic asset
Restoration, agroforestry, and biodiversity aren’t just environmental concerns—they’re the backbone of a strong, resilient African economy. Investing in nature means investing in jobs, food security, and climate resilience.
Rights matter as much as trees
Without secure land and tree rights—especially for women, youth, and Indigenous peoples—restoration efforts are unsustainable. Equity and inclusion must be at the heart of all initiatives.
Finance must reach the people
While climate finance, blended finance, and investment models were widely discussed, the key takeaway was clear: funds must reach local communities, smallholder farmers, and grassroots entrepreneurs.
Tech is powerful—when co-created
AI, satellite imagery, and digital tools are transforming how landscapes are monitored and restored. But these innovations must be co-developed with communities, respecting local knowledge and cultural context.
Success stories give hope
Examples like Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) and the Great Green Wall prove that large-scale, low-cost restoration is possible when local leadership and enabling policies align.
✅ Secure land and tree tenure—especially for women and Indigenous groups
✅ Scale up proven models like FMNR
✅ Simplify and democratize climate finance for local actors
✅ Use AI and digital tools to support, not replace, communities
✅ Put youth and local leaders at the center
✅ Build strong monitoring and accountability systems
GLF Africa 2025 made one thing clear: Africa’s restoration journey has already begun. Scaling it up demands courage, collaboration, and commitment. The real work starts now—transforming powerful ideas into concrete action on the ground.
Keep going, despite the obstacles. The future of Africa’s landscapes depends on it.
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