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The Haller Way

Published 21st October 2009 - 0 comments - 1849 views -

Back in Copenhagen, the Samso story made a great impact on me. And ever since I returned home and started to blog about local climate related topics, I wanted to share a story of a local climate hero. Although I'm sure we don't have our own Søren Hermansen, I'm still positive that there is someone somewhere in Romania who - at a different level - makes a sustainable difference. There is a tiny problem, though. I still have to find him. Or her. 

Until I do, I'll share the story of another European hero who changed the life of a couple of African communities. Through his holistic views and projects, he planted the seeds of education, healthy life and sustainable living in locations that would otherwise lack everything.

Dr. Rene Haller (born December 18, 1933), is a Swiss naturalist, trained in Horticulture, Landscaping and Tropical Agronomy. Since the 1970s, Rene Haller has been known for his commitment to environmental restoration. 

In 1956, Rene Haller came to Africa to supervise a coffee plantation on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. In 1959, He was recruited by the Bamburi Cement Company to head up their Garden Department. He was assigned to produce food (fruit and vegetables) for Bamburi factory workers. He was also assigned to beautify the area surrounding the site.

In the 1970s he began an incomparable ecological experiment. He endeavored to rehabilitate the limestone quarries scarring the Mombasa coastline. With the backing of Bamburi Portland Cement Company, he rehabilitated the southern part of the Quarry (75 hectares) turning it from an infertile and dusty landscape to an ecological haven. The quarries are now a combination of lakes, wetlands and savannah grasslands with walking and cycling trails. In 2002, nearly 100,000 visitors came to the Nature Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Under Rene’s leadership, the Garden department expanded as poultry, sheep and goats were included in production. By 1977 it had become economically self-sustaining which encouraged Rene to incorporate Baobab Farm.

The Haller way is a model for ecological community development in Africa

With a unique approach to practical economic development, Haller Foundation carries its work on the belief that economy and ecology have to be in balance. Over a short period of time, Haller has empowered rural communities to create abundant, thriving and sustainable eco-systems.  The Foundation works in collaboration with the African people to improve their self sufficiency through initiatives, addressing sustainable food production, safe water, accessible healthcare and education in practical and replicable ways.

References and further info:

  1. The Baobab Trust
  2. The Haller Foundation
  3. Haller Park - nature trail
  4. Story of Rene Haller: Swiss who turned an African wasteland into a green paradise

Category: Climate Heroes, | Tags: environment, rene haller, sustainable eco-systems,



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