In August, through our partnership with Ecologi, we contributed to two important projects and helped fund the planting of 15 trees. Ecologi ensures that tree planting is done responsibly by supporting community-led initiatives. This involves planting the right species in the right locations at the appropriate time, and ensuring the trees are protected from both natural and human threats.
The tree planting projects we supported in August included mangrove planting in Kandrany, Madagascar, forest gardens in Busoga, Uganda, forest restoration in Kenya, and reforestation in Gewocha Forest, Ethiopia. These efforts also contribute to employment, education, and healthcare improvements in these regions.
Mangroves are coastal trees found in tropical and subtropical areas. They are highly effective at absorbing carbon, storing it in their extensive root systems, contributing to “blue carbon” storage. Mangroves also play a key role in protecting coastal areas from floods and storms. In Madagascar, restoration focuses on planting mangroves in degraded coastal regions around Mahajanga, covering approximately 600 hectares to date. As each area is restored, Ecologi continues planting further along the coast. Since its establishment in 2019, Ecologi’s community has supported the planting of an estimated 13 million mangrove trees in this area.
Since January 2024, TREES, a planting partner of Ecologi, has been collaborating with 400 farmers to plant 1.6 million trees over four years, with each farmer planting 4,000 trees. This includes the forest gardens project in Uganda. Alongside tree planting, farmers practice intercropping, growing crops between the trees suited to local conditions for food and income. Farmers are also trained in tree care, including coppicing and pruning, to encourage healthy growth and provide wood without needing to fell the trees.
In Kenya, food insecurity and poverty remain major issues, with around 36% of the population living below the poverty line. In the Mau Region, locals face challenges such as poor access to clean water, inadequate roads, and limited education. The Kass FM project spans 5,700 hectares of community land, divided into six reforestation zones. The “employ-to-plant” approach provides locals with stable jobs in planting, nursery work, and forest protection, improving access to education, nutrition, and healthcare. Over seven years, an estimated 14.25 million afromontane trees will be planted with support from Ecologi.
The Gewocha Forest project aims to restore 10,000 hectares of degraded land in Ethiopia’s Amhara region by planting 11.9 million trees and promoting assisted natural regeneration and conservation. The project focuses on forest restoration, securing community ownership, and promoting agroforestry for sustainable land use.
Key aspects of the project include empowering women through Self Help Groups, which will eventually become Savings and Credit Cooperatives. It also aims to improve maternal and child health by enhancing Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) services and introducing micro-irrigation for diverse crops. The community will receive title deeds for the forest, ensuring its protection. Around 7,894 farmers and their families will benefit directly, with roughly 42,000 people benefitting indirectly.
If you’d like to see more ways we have supported tree-planting and other projects you can view our profile here to learn more. If you’d like to be a part of the Ecologi community and contribute towards projects like these, you can purchase one of our webcasting services or sign your business up with Ecologi.