Conservation initiative transforms photography into action as Safal MRM Foundation and Mabati Rolling Mills establish the Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition Green Zone
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, June 5, 2026 — The Safal Eye in the Wild (SEIW) Photography Competition marked World Environment Day by taking conservation beyond photography and into practical action through the launch of the Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition Green Zone at Lenana School.
The initiative, led by the Safal MRM Foundation and supported by Mabati Rolling Mills (MRM), saw the planting of more than 1,000 indigenous and fruit tree seedlings, reinforcing efforts to promote environmental conservation, climate action and sustainability.
Held under this year’s World Environment Day theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” the exercise demonstrated how environmental storytelling can inspire real change and leave a lasting impact on communities.
Speaking during the launch, Head of Safal MRM Foundation Siprosa Rabach said the Green Zone reflects the Foundation’s commitment to turning conservation conversations into measurable environmental action.
“Today is a special day for us because we are launching the Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition Green Zone, a project that demonstrates how environmental awareness can be transformed into meaningful action,” said Rabach.
She noted that the Foundation plans to plant more than 1,000 seedlings as part of efforts to strengthen environmental conservation and encourage active participation in protecting nature.
“Safal Eye in the Wild was founded on the belief that conservation is not simply something we observe through a camera lens; it is something we actively participate in,” she said.
Rabach added that the Foundation is creating opportunities for communities, young people and environmental champions to become active stewards of nature while contributing to a more sustainable future.
The Green Zone serves as a physical expression of the vision behind Safal Eye in the Wild, a conservation-focused photography competition that uses visual storytelling to raise environmental awareness, inspire action and create educational opportunities for future generations.
Dennis Litu, the teacher in charge of environment and climate change at Lenana School, said the tree-planting exercise included a mix of indigenous and fruit trees aimed at strengthening the school’s environmental programme.
“We agreed to plant at least 1,000 trees of different varieties. We have also planted fruit trees in the orchard, including avocados,” said Litu.
The exercise brought together MRM employees, conservation advocates, photographers, community stakeholders and partners, including Chandaria Foundation, in a collective effort to demonstrate that conservation goes beyond awareness and requires practical action.
Rabach also called on more photographers and nature enthusiasts to participate in the Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition, noting that submissions close on June 20.
“Photography has the power to influence how people see the world. Through Safal Eye in the Wild, we are using that power to inspire action, foster environmental responsibility and create lasting impact. Today’s Green Zone proves that conservation storytelling can move beyond awareness and contribute directly to environmental restoration,” she said.
This year’s World Environment Day, led globally by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), calls for accelerated adoption of nature-based solutions to address climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. The Green Zone directly responds to that call by creating a living environmental legacy that will support biodiversity restoration, carbon absorption and environmental education.
The initiative also highlights the growing role of the Safal MRM Foundation as the sustainability and social impact arm supported by Mabati Rolling Mills. Through its four pillars — Education, Health, Environment and Shelter — the Foundation continues to invest in programmes aimed at improving community well-being while addressing long-term development challenges.
Under its Environment Pillar, Safal Eye in the Wild seeks to build a movement that connects conservation, education and opportunity. The competition encourages photographers, nature enthusiasts and communities to document and celebrate the natural world while advancing environmental awareness.
In a demonstration of community-led sustainability, many of the seedlings planted during the exercise were sourced from Lenana School, helping strengthen existing environmental programmes and promote local ownership of the project.
The Green Zone is expected to serve as a living classroom where students can learn about conservation, biodiversity and climate resilience for years to come.
As communities around the world marked World Environment Day, the initiative reinforced the message behind Safal Eye in the Wild — that every image can inspire action, every action can create impact and every effort contributes to building a greener and more sustainable future.
