In April, our dedication to global climate solutions, in collaboration with our valued partner Ecologi, focuses on impactful tree-planting initiatives. This includes supporting vital reforestation projects right here in the UK, alongside crucial work in Kenya and a significant mangrove restoration project at Kandrany, Madagascar.
UK Reforestation Projects
Our UK partners are making great progress in revitalising native ecosystems across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. By working closely with local communities, they are helping to restore nature in a country facing significant biodiversity loss.
Planting the right tree species in appropriate UK locations offers numerous benefits, including vital protection from increasingly unpredictable weather by reducing flood risks, providing shade, acting as windbreaks, and retaining moisture. Trees also play a key role in land conservation by reducing soil erosion, improving soil quality, and increasing carbon storage. Furthermore, they are essential for supporting native plants and animals, which are under pressure from habitat loss and climate change.
Healthy ecosystems provide us with clean water and air, as well as valuable spaces for recreation and well-being, and help maintain our cultural connection to the land.
Forest Restoration in Kenya
Kenya, an East African country bordering Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean, relies heavily on agriculture and tourism. However, poverty and food insecurity are major challenges, affecting a significant portion of the population.
The Mau Region faces issues such as limited access to clean water, poor infrastructure, and inadequate education. The Mau Forest is a vital water source for Lake Victoria, impacting millions of lives. Deforestation in this region since the 1970s, driven by agriculture, charcoal production, and livestock, has led to extensive land degradation and exacerbated the impact of droughts, causing severe hydrological damage.
Ecologi supports reforestation efforts in Kenya managed by Eden Reforestation Projects, a non-profit that employs local villagers to plant and protect trees, providing fair wages and large-scale forest restoration. Their “Employ to Plant” approach delivers significant socio-economic and environmental benefits.
In the Mau Region, the Kass FM project covers 5,700 hectares across community-owned land. Local people are employed as planters, nursery staff, and forest guards, earning a sustainable income while improving their access to education, nutrition, and healthcare.
Over seven years, approximately 14.25 million afromontane trees will be planted at Kass FM, thanks to the support of Ecologi’s community.
Mangrove Planting at Kandrany, Madagascar
Madagascar, the world’s second-largest island, is a crucial biodiversity hotspot with a vast amount of unique wildlife. Sadly, widespread deforestation has destroyed significant areas of its original forests, displacing animals and impacting local livelihoods.
The loss of vital mangrove estuaries has also led to coastal erosion. These mangrove forests are essential carbon sinks, provide habitats for numerous marine species, and offer critical coastal protection from floods and storms.
Ecologi supports mangrove restoration projects in Madagascar managed by Eden Reforestation Projects, which employs local people to plant and protect trees for fair wages, driving large-scale ecological restoration. Their “Employ to Plant” method provides significant socio-economic and environmental benefits. Mangroves, found in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, are highly effective at absorbing and storing carbon in their extensive root systems – known as blue carbon.
In addition to their carbon sequestration abilities, they offer excellent natural defence against coastal flooding and storms. This project focuses on restoring mangrove forests on coastal land northwest of Madagascar, near Mahajanga.
To date, they have funded the planting of mangroves across approximately 600 hectares of this degraded coastline, with ongoing support for further planting. Since Ecologi’s inception in 2019, their community has supported mangrove planting in this area, and they anticipate funding the planting of 13 million mangrove trees by the project’s completion.
If your business is interested in supporting similar environmental projects in 2025, we recommend exploring a partnership with Ecologi or considering one of our webcasting packages. You can find out more about Enbecom’s contributions by visiting our profile.