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Today, we celebrate the life and work of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai.

Professor Maathai lived a life of firsts - the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree; the first woman to be appointed professor at the University of Nairobi; the first environmentalist and the first African woman Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

In January 2012, the African Union adopted a decision calling for the joint celebrations of the African Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day in recognition of the work and life of the late Wangari Maathai. The celebration of the Wangari Maathai Day is in recognition of the work and life of the late Prof. Wangari Maathai who dedicated her life to promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development in Africa.

At the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, women representatives from all regions of Africa and other stakeholders at national, regional and continental levels marked the day. The Green Belt Movement was represented by our Executive Director, Aisha Karanja. Back home, we held a tree planting activity at Lavington Mixed Secondary School Nairobi, as part of the ocassion.

100 ceremonial trees were planted at the event with the Chief Guest, Achim Steiner, UNEP's Executive Director, kicking it off.

This year, the Green Belt Movement aims to plant a further 3,000 trees in this school and 15,000 trees in schools within Nairobi County in partnership with Oikocredit International-Kenya. Click here for more photos. #‎WangariMaathaiDay‬