My trip to Kenya with neon green

A reforestation adventure in Tudor Creek

As a neon green user and a participant in the neon green Council, I had the unique opportunity to visit neon green's mangrove plantations in collaboration with Eden: People+Planet in Tudor Creek, near Mombasa in Kenya. The trip, which took place from 7 to 10 October 2024, was much more than a simple discovery of nature; it was a plunge into the heart of a reforestation project that is transforming lives and rebuilding vital ecosystems. The trip was the result of a collective decision by the neon green community, who were consulted on the advisability of going to the field. I was lucky enough to be selected to accompany Mathias, neon’s Head of Product, and Michèle, neon’s Social Media Manager, on this adventure. Here is my feedback on this rewarding and revealing experience.

A first step in Africa

My adventure began as soon as I arrived at Mombasa airport, after a short stopover in Addis Ababa. It was my first trip to Africa, and I have to admit that I was both excited and a little nervous. Even before setting foot on Kenyan soil, I had the opportunity to fly over the area where we would be going the next day.

The journey from the airport to our hotel immersed me in the local atmosphere: heavy traffic and a tropical heat that contrasted sharply with the climate in Zurich in October.

In the evening, we met up with the Eden: People+Planet team at Severin Sea Lodge, where I met Joan, David, Andrew, as well as Mathias and Michèle from neon, who had arrived a few hours earlier. This convivial moment quickly established a spirit of collaboration and cohesion right from the start.

First day in the field at Tudor Creek

The next day, we got up at 5am to be ready to leave for the pier at 7am, rucksacks on our backs, ready for adventure. The captain was ready to board the boat that took us to Tudor Creek, a mangrove forest near Mombasa. The boat trip, which took around 45 minutes, allowed us to discover the local wildlife: birds of all kinds, little red crabs emerging from wet burrows, and some mangroves in flower. This forest, in which certain areas had been damaged by human exploitation for energy purposes, is coming back to life thanks to reforestation efforts.

On site, Joan and David welcomed us to the plantation and gave us some interesting details about the replanted species. They explained how these local species play a crucial role in soil stabilisation, coastal protection, and carbon storage. I learned that mangroves store CO2 at up to twice the rate of certain species in tropical forests, making these trees a valuable asset in the fight against climate change.

Equipped with our diving boots, we explored the mangroves in greater depth and joined a group of around fifteen planters who were working that day. After a brief introduction, these men and women showed us how they prepared the mangrove stems before planting them by hand. Their energy and dedication were palpable. To maximise their chances of growing, the trees must be planted about 1.5 meters apart. We were able to capture lots of images for the video report.

The human and environmental impact of reforestation

What struck me during this visit was the extent to which the impact of reforestation goes beyond the purely environmental. For the planters we met, these trees are much more than a means of storing carbon. Mangrove plantations provide stable employment for people who often have no other source of income. This employment helps to finance their children's education and improve the living conditions of local families. Andrew, a member of the Eden team, took the time to explain to us how reforestation was helping to revitalise this ecosystem, by showing us the wildlife that lives there.

Part of the land was already covered with mangrove seedlings. Although not all of them survive, due to the higher salinity in some places or a lack of nutrients, Eden applies an adaptive strategy. By replanting the same areas at regular intervals, they ensure that the mangrove cover gradually increases. This patient approach is essential to ensure the sustainability of reforestation efforts. More than two-thirds of the trees planted are growing. It is interesting to note that some trees are growing much faster than others, even though they are barely a meter apart. Here again, it is the nature of the terrain that can make the difference.

The global importance of mangroves

Mangroves, such as those at Tudor Creek, are sometimes underestimated as rich ecosystems, yet their role is absolutely essential. They don't just protect coastlines from erosion; they are remarkably effective carbon sinks, capable of storing more than 1’000 tonnes of carbon per hectare, according to my research.

During our visit, we noticed that these mangroves provide refuge for a wide variety of animal species, from fish to crabs, as well as many species of migratory birds. By restoring these mangroves, Eden is helping to recreate habitats that had been damaged, ensuring the preservation of this biodiversity.

Day 2: Sharing the adventure live with the community

On Wednesday, during a morning dedicated to a new exploration of a second planting site, this time on the northern shore, we took part in a live session on Instagram. Mathias and Michèle, my neon traveling companions, were perfectly at ease in front of the camera to host the live interview for our Instagram followers. For my part, I also had the opportunity to ask Joan and David a few questions, based on the topics that had been suggested by neon green users before the trip.

This live broadcast was interesting because it enabled us to relay the concrete questions asked by neon green users to the Eden team on site: the challenges of the plantation, the impact on the local communities, the future objectives of the project, and the transparency of the actions undertaken. We also filmed additional interviews for the trip summary report. I can't wait to see Michèle's final video (I hope she includes her – fortunately harmless – slip in the mangroves 🫢).

Time for goodbyes and personal reflections

On Thursday, it was time to say goodbye to our hosts and my neon co-adventurers. Mathias and Michèle were heading back to Switzerland, while I had decided to extend my stay by a further three days on my own to discover even more of the Kenyan landscape. I took the opportunity to relax, listen to a few overdue podcasts, do a bit of reading by the Indian Ocean, and start writing this article, still full of recent memories of the visit.

As I reflect on this adventure, I'm particularly pleased to be a neon green customer. This trip has made me realise that the impact of a project like this is measured not just in the number of trees planted, but also in the lives improved, the biodiversity restored, and the hope regenerated for these communities. Knowing that my daily spending, which I try to make as eco-friendly as possible, is contributing to such a significant project fills me with satisfaction and shows that even small actions can have an impact.

The effect of these plantations is not limited to the ecological aspect. The concept developed by Eden over the last few months shows that reforestation has significant economic and educational effects. The overall impact goes far beyond the simple number of trees planted, which, although visible and quantifiable, does not reflect the full extent of neon green’s benefits.

I would urge anyone who is still hesitating to join neon green. The definition that neon gives on its website – «the everyday account with an impact on the future» – is perfectly justified: it's a tangible contribution, a commitment to sustainability, and a way of feeling connected to a community that wants to make a difference.

I appreciate the transparency of neon and its partner Eden in their collaboration. The certificates published by neon on their website are a good reflection of the real work being done in the field. I would like to thank neon again for giving me the opportunity to see the impact of my actions with my own eyes. I was delighted to be able to plant my own tree.

I hope my article has convinced you to become part of the neon green community too!

Arnaud

To read neon’s blog article about the trip and the adventure in video, click here.