Mazingira Day, Kenya's annual celebration of environmental conservation, is here.
While tree planting remains a cornerstone of the holiday, there's so much more to explore. This weekend, think beyond seedlings and embrace fun, engaging ways to honour our planet.
From community cleanups to eco-friendly adventures, here's how to make Mazingira Day 2025 a vibrant celebration of sustainability.
While Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, in a circular dated Thursday, October 9, directed regional, county, and sub-county education officers to ensure learners participate in the tree-planting exercise from 8 am to 12 pm, despite the public holiday, you can also think beyond greening.
"The government has directed all schools to actively take part in tree planting to mark Mazingira Day. This year's focus will be on fruit trees to support both environmental care and school-based nutrition," he said.
Make cleanups fun
Cleaning up your community doesn't have to feel like a chore. Organise a "trash bash" at a local park, beach, or riverbank with friends, family, or neighbours. Arm yourselves with gloves, reusable bags, and a playlist of upbeat tunes to keep spirits high.
Turn it into a competition, who can collect the most litter or find the quirkiest discarded item? Local groups, such as the Nairobi River Regeneration Initiative, often host such events, and joining one can amplify your impact.
Afterward, celebrate with a picnic featuring locally sourced, plant-based snacks. Not only does this clean up your surroundings, but it also fosters community spirit and raises awareness about proper waste management. Small actions, done collectively, can spark long-term habits that benefit both people and the planet.
Reconnect with nature
For a dose of adventure, try a "green hike." Kenya's stunning landscapes, Ngong Hills, Karura Forest, or Aberdare National Park, offer trails for all fitness levels. Turn the hike into an educational experience: bring a field guide to identify native plants or birds, or use apps like iNaturalist to log sightings and contribute to citizen science.
Pack zero-waste snacks in reusable containers and encourage participants to leave no trace. This approach blends fun, fitness, and a deeper appreciation for Kenya's biodiversity, making Mazingira Day memorable while teaching respect for the natural environment.
Get creative and go digital
If you're artistically inclined, host an upcycling workshop. Transform old clothes, bottles, or scrap materials into something new, a tote bag from a T-shirt, a planter from a plastic container, or art from bottle caps. Collaborating with local artisans or organisations like Ocean Sole, which turns flip-flops into colourful sculptures, highlights the value of reusing materials while sparking creativity.
Families can also host a "mini eco-fair" in the backyard or community space. Activities such as making seed bombs, eco-friendly face painting, storytelling, or a swap shop for gently used items make sustainability fun for kids.
Tech-savvy celebrants can take Mazingira Day online. Host a virtual eco-challenge on social media, encouraging followers to share sustainable actions -- like swapping to reusable straws, composting food scraps, or biking to work. Use hashtags such as #MazingiraDay2025 to connect with others across Kenya and spark conversations about collective action.
Finally, celebrate with food. Host a "green feast" featuring locally grown ingredients from farmers' markets like Nairobi Farmers Market. Cook dishes such as ugali with sukuma wiki or a vegan githeri, and share recipes to highlight the benefits of eating local. Pair the meal with a documentary screening, such as The Elephant Queen, to spark meaningful discussions about wildlife conservation.
Mazingira Day is more than a date on the calendar; it's a call to action. By blending fun, creativity, and purpose, we can honour our environment while bringing people together. This weekend, skip the usual and try something new. Your planet and your community will thank you.