Through our partnership with Ecologi, in August, as well as contributing to two valuable projects, we also funded the planting of 15 trees. Ecologi only supports responsible tree planting. This means supporting community-led projects where ecologically appropriate species are planted at the right place and time, and where trees are guarded from natural and man-made threats.
The tree planting projects that we have supported in August included mangrove planting in Kandrany, Madacasgar, forest gardens in Busoga, Uganda, forest restoration in Kenya, and reforestation in Gewocha Forest, Ethiopa. These projects also help to support employment, education and healthcare in these areas.
Mangroves are coastal trees found in tropical and subtropical regions. They excel at absorbing carbon and storing it in their extensive underground root systems, contributing to “blue carbon” storage. Mangroves also offer vital flood and storm protection. The restoration efforts in Madagascar focus on planting mangroves in degraded coastal areas near Mahajanga, covering around 600 hectares so far. As each area is restored, Ecologi continue planting further along the coast. Since their founding in 2019, Ecologi’s community has supported the planting of an estimated 13 million mangrove trees in this region.
Since January 2024, TREES (a planting partner of Ecologi) has been working with 400 farmers with plans 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 these trees, farmers will practice intercropping, growing various crops between the trees based on regional suitability for food and income. Farmers will learn to care for their trees through coppicing and pruning, which ensures healthy growth and provides wood without cutting the trees down.
Food security and poverty remain significant challenges in Kenya, with around 36% of the population living below the poverty line. In the Mau Region, locals face issues like limited access to fresh water, poor roads, and inadequate education facilities. The Kass FM project in this region covers 5,700 hectares of community-owned land, divided into six reforestation areas. The “employ-to-plant” method provides locals with stable income through planting, nursery work, and forest guarding, improving access to education, nutrition, and healthcare. Over seven years, an estimated 14.25 million afromontane trees will be planted, supported by the Ecologi community.
The Gewocha Forest project aims to restore 10,000 hectares of degraded land in Ethiopia’s Amhara region by introducing 11.9 million trees through planting, assisted natural regeneration, and conservation. The focus is on forest restoration, securing communal ownership, and promoting agroforestry for sustainable land use.
Key aspects include empowering women through Self Help Groups, which will evolve into Savings and Credit Cooperatives. The project will also improve maternal and child health through better access to Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) services and micro-irrigation for diverse crops. The local community will gain title deeds to the forest, ensuring its protection. Overall, 7,894 farmers and their families will directly benefit, with around 42,000 people benefiting 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 hosting plans or sign your business up with Ecologi.