Prof. Wangari Maathai at 80: Tree Planter, Nobel Prize Laureate, Revolutionary

• This video provides information on Professor Wangari Maathai's tireless effort to establish the Green Belt Movement, a reforestation project in Kenya that has had a tremendous environmental and social impact on the country. 
• The video showcases a variety of people who worked with or were inspired by Wangari Maathai, speaking about how her legacy continues to inspire farmers and empower women in Kenya and around the world. 

Positives

• This inspiring video will show students how a single person can have an extraordinary impact on the lives of many people.
• Students will see the important role that trees play in regulating the water cycle, preventing erosion, and promoting clean rivers.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Students would benefit from learning about the environmental problems that Kenya faced as a result of rapid deforestation in the 1960s prior to watching the video.
• The video shows footage of soldiers attacking protestors (3:32-3:45). The footage is not graphic, but it may not be suitable for all students.
  

Differentiation

• Biology classes or environmental clubs could research native tree species and raise money to plant native trees in their communities.
• Civics, social studies, or government classes could discuss how Wangari Maathai spoke out against the government, was arrested for being vocal about her opposition, and eventually was elected to office.
• Other resources on this topic include this video on Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement, 
  this video on the importance of forests, and this article on how forests can maintain water quality in cities.
  

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.