Restoring Land, Unlocking Opportunities: Nguuni Nature Sanctuary

As the UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw observed: “Land degradation and drought are major disruptors of our economy, stability, food production, water and quality of life. Land restoration is our chance to reverse these threats and create new possibilities.” 

Desertification describes the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. It’s principally caused by human activities and climate change, and predominantly impacts the world’s most vulnerable populations. 

Land degradation currently impacts 3.2 billion people globally, with an area equivalent to four football fields lost every minute due to desertification. Healthy land underpins strong, thriving economies and populations. With almost half of global GDP dependent on nature, we need to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land and jumpstart a trillion-dollar land restoration economy by 2030 to re-route the course and prevent further damage. 

According to the UNCCD Global Mechanism, the world needs to invest 1 billion every day between 2025 and 2030 to stop and reverse land degradation, with current investments only standing at 66 billion annually.  

In Africa, 65% of total land is impacted by degradation. Rural smallholders are some of the worst impacted, as their livelihoods are so dependent on stable weather conditions, healthy soils, and tree cover. 

Restoring degraded land unlocks economic, environmental, and social opportunities. These benefits inspired the theme of this year’s World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, focused on what the world stands to gain through successful restoration efforts. 

Land restoration can create jobs, boost water and food security, support climate action, and build economic resilience. Every dollar invested in reviving degraded lands brings up to 30 in returns. Efforts to restore desertified land not only provide opportunities for biodiversity but also drive a range of ecosystem services vital for human well-being. These include water purification, soil fertility, flood mitigation, and pollination. 

The Nguuni Nature Sanctuary is a perfect example of the opportunities unlocked through land restoration. Home to a wide range of Kenyan wildlife, an Education Centre, and Health Clinic, it stands as a testament to the power of community-led change. 

50 years ago, Nguuni was an abandoned limescale quarry, unable to support wildlife. Through the efforts of Dr Rene Haller the quarry was restored to a combination of lakes, wetlands, and savannah grasslands. With over 30,000 visitors a year, it now stands as a space for Kenyan communities to enjoy nature, engage in conservation, learn about the environment, and access healthcare services.

Conservation

Nguuni works with local communities to provide education on sustainable land use, and applying regenerative agricultural practices to improve livelihoods and restore degraded landscapes. 

Understanding the importance of the next generation in driving environmental change, Nguuni provides educational sessions, guided sanctuary tours, and creative activities for local school children to foster an interest and sense of guardianship for the natural world. 

Nguuni has run a Sea Turtle Conservation program since 1989, protecting endangered species along Kenya’s North Coast. The team works closely with local fishermen to track nets, rescues, and turtle mortality. 

Education 

Established in 2006 Nguuni’s award-winning, solar-powered education centre is home to Kenya’s first free children’s library. The centre is equipped with an IT suite and a hub for vocational training, acting as a safe space for over 6,000 children a year from Mombasa and its surrounding areas. 

Health 

In 2007, the Nguuni Health Clinic was established, providing services and treatment to over 80,000 patients since then. Open 6 days a week, the centre delivers free health workshops connected to family planning and disease prevention and also runs immunisation programs for young children. 

Learn more about Nguuni, and how you can visit and support the sanctuary here.