Elsaphan Njora: Conservation: a love story

Conservation: a love story

What if the key to saving nature isn't just about science or policy, but love? Love for the land, for the people who depend on it, for the world we leave behind. Artist Elsaphan Njora has journeyed across Kenya witnessing ecosystems vanish, from Indigenous forests to sacred lakes. But he's also seen communities breathing life back into rivers, forests and coasts in creative, unexpected ways — showing that conservation can flourish alongside livelihoods, and that even the most threatened landscapes can be reborn.

The path to preserving nature runs deeper than rules or science; it requires love for land, people, and future generations. Decades ago, communities in Kenya were mocked for replanting mangroves, but those same shores now teem with life and prosperity. Restoration projects across the country prove that inspired action can revive ecosystems once thought lost. When people act from love instead of fear or obligation, conservation becomes sustainable and transformative.

Love Fuels Conservation More Powerfully Than Policy Alone

The most powerful force to restore nature is love for land, people, and future generations. Traveling across Kenya, the speaker witnessed both heartbreaking loss—like Lake Ol’ Bolossat at risk of disappearing—and inspiring revival, such as a 20-year mangrove project that turned ridicule into thriving sanctuaries. Communities are finding creative ways to blend conservation with livelihoods, proving that ecosystems and economies can grow together. Real change demands imagination, courage, and a shared sense of responsibility.

Conservation Thrives When Rooted In Love, Not Just Policy

Conservation thrives when driven by deep care for land, people, and future generations. From vanished forests in Machakos to the rebirth of mangroves in Kilifi, communities across Kenya prove that restoration is possible. Indigenous lakes and sacred hills risk disappearing, yet local action breathes new life into threatened ecosystems. True progress comes when imagination and compassion inspire bold stewardship.