Fr. Hermann Borg is well known for his hard work and charisma. Many also identify with him as a conservationist and lover of nature, with some even nicknaming him “Baba Miti,” the Swahili word meaning "father of trees." The genesis of all these date back to 30 years ago, when he lived in lower Subukia and initiated a tree-planting drive that resulted in a huge change of the environmental situation and transformation of lower Subukia.
This later motivated him to form Mother Earth Network, a Franciscan-based interfaith trust, which provided a platform for the faiths to care for creation. Since the formation of the network, many efforts have been put in place to create awareness among the faiths on stewardship of God's creation and continuity in tree planting and capacity building on conservation for sustainability.
The great efforts of Fr. Borg have captured and motivated many, both the young and the elderly, leading to recognition and awards locally, nationally and globally. His achievement will be rewarded by Total Kenya through the Eco Challenge program in 2013, the first-ever environmental stewardship awards by United Religious Initiative (URI-Africa) in 2016, and is now attracting attention in the international arena.
Fr. Borg is set to receive a Distinguished Service Award by Society for Conservation Biology, in Cartagena, Colombia on 23rd July 2017. Society for Conservation Biology is an international professional organization dedicated to promoting the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity, and is known to have initiated the Assisi Awards that recognize interfaith efforts in care for creation.
The award is to recognize Fr. Borg’s exemplary work in showcasing the true meaning of stewardship, by planting one million trees for forest conservation and community empowerment in Kenya. He has created a great platform to showcase to the world the potential the interfaith community possesses to create change and conserve nature for the well-being of the future generations.
Thanks to CC member Erick Ogallo for this article.
PRESS RELEASE:
NAIROBI MAY 5, 2017 (CISA)- Father Hermann Borg, Patron of Mother Earth Network (a URI Cooperation Circle) -- a Franciscan based interfaith trust -- is set to receive a Distinguished Service Award for his efforts in environmental conservation.
The award will be presented to him in Cartgenia, Colombia on July 23, by the Society for Conservation Biology, an international professional organization dedicated to promoting the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity.
The society is renowned for initiating the Assisi Awards that recognize interfaith efforts in care for creation.
“This award should motivate the faithful on the need to care for creation at any one point regardless of your status in the society,” Fr Borg told CISA May 4.
Fr Borg has planted one million trees for forest conservation and community empowerment in Kenya.
“This is an opportunity to create a great platform to showcase to the world the potential the interfaith community possesses to create change and conserve nature for the well-being of the future generations,” he said.
