A Conservation Model Worth Sharing: Nguuni Nature Sanctuary
Nguuni Nature Sanctuary is not a protected park in the traditional sense. It is not state-funded, fenced off from community use, or limited to tourism. Instead, Nguuni operates as a living example of conservation done differently. Integrated with public education, farming, and local livelihoods, we’ve developed a model that fully integrates the communities it serves. And it’s this model that makes it so valuable, not just to Kenya, but to the global conversation on nature-based solutions.
Conservation That Works With People, Not Against Them
Conservation across Africa has often followed extractive patterns: removing communities from ancestral lands, introducing militarised protection, and prioritising external tourism over local access. This contrasts entirely with the Haller approach; Nguuni is the opposite and proof of a better way.
Here, conservation is built from the ground up, beginning with community needs. The site was restored from degraded land and now supports diverse wildlife, water catchment zones, and native tree cover. But what sets it apart is that the space is open, used daily by students, farmers, and families from across the Mombasa region. Nguuni does not ask people to stay out to protect biodiversity but strives to invite them in to protect it together.
A Dynamic Low-Cost, High-Impact Model
Nguuni is also home to Haller’s demonstration farm, tyre gardens, nature education centre, and health clinic, all of which operate in tandem with conservation goals. In March 2025, we welcomed 54 trainers to our demo farm to learn about regenerative methods through in-depth workshops. Students who visit track pollinators and learn why they matter, long before such lessons are introduced in formal schooling. Young people learn about ecosystems by walking through them.
What makes this model scalable is its affordability. The site runs on solar energy, utilises upcycled and recycled materials (such as tires and plastic bottles), and repurposes land that would otherwise remain underutilised. Tree planting is led by trained volunteers and local school groups, reducing overheads and reinforcing community ownership. Native trees, selected for their resilience and role in restoring biodiversity, are chosen based on expert and local knowledge alike. Unlike top-down, tourism-led models that require large capital investments and high maintenance, Nguuni shows how conservation can be affordable, participatory, and locally managed.
Why It Matters Now
As the effects of climate change accelerate, East Africa faces mounting pressure on land, water, and food systems. At the same time, youth unemployment remains high and public green space is shrinking, especially in growing urban areas like Mombasa.
Nguuni’s model addresses all of these challenges at once. It:
Protects biodiversity while remaining accessible,
Provides green skills training for young people and farmers,
Improves public health through nature-based education,
Restores degraded land using replicable, low-tech methods.
These are not theoretical benefits; they’re documented, measurable, and already happening. For governments, NGOs, and education institutions looking to invest in conservation that delivers co-benefits, Nguuni offers a blueprint worth studying and adapting.
An Open Invitation
At its heart, Nguuni is proof that conservation doesn't need to be exclusionary or expensive. Haller welcomes collaboration across Africa and beyond. Whether you're a policymaker, donor, researcher, or teacher, Nguuni is open to partnerships that help this model grow, not just for Mombasa, but for other cities and communities facing similar pressures. Come and see for yourself! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to organise your trip or school visit.