How We Reafforest

HOW WE REAFFOREST

TREES SHOULDN'T JUST BE PLANTED.
THEY HAVE TO BE GROWN.

Harsh dry periods combined with the extreme sunlight intensity in the tropics make it very hard for seedlings of most species to survive their first year. Moreover, many of the species we reintroduce can only survive under a canopy similar to a rainforest. Such that once a forest is clearcut, those species simply disappeared from the region.

Our network of 2,500 beneficiaries, alongside the innovative practices we implement, helps us alleviate these challenges. Our beneficiaries provide the care required for seedlings to reach maturity and the pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) seeds we supply to them build the much-needed canopy.

WE MULTIPLY INDIGENOUS TREES TO ENHANCE LOCAL BIODIVERSITY

Indigenous trees are the basis of ecosystems. Their leaves, bark, and roots host billions of animals, insects, bacteria, mycelium, etc. To give you an example, a cup of soil hosts more micro-organisms than there are humans on earth. And because each species hosts its particular species above or underground, the biggest diversity of trees is needed. We multiply and distribute +60 different tree species that we gather within a radius of 100 km.

You will find in this list all the 64 tree species and their common name that we produced in 2023. The last column describes the percentage that each species makes up this year compared to the overall number of seedlings distributed.

SEE THE LIST OF OUR 64 TREE SPECIES

Species	Common Name	Number of trees	Percentage of the total number of trees
Prunus africana	African cherry	34’000	13.0%
Melia volkensii	Mkilifi	23’040	8.8%
Markhamia lutea	Nile tulip Tree	18’000	6.9%
Acacia polyacantha	White thorn	16’000	6.1%
Maesopsis eminii	Umbrella tree	15’000	5.7%
Trilepisium madagascariense	False fig	14’000	5.3%
Sesbania sesban	Egyptian rattlepod	13’000	5.0%
Harungana madagascariensis	Dragon’s blood Tree	10’000	3.8%
Morus alba	Mulberry	8’000	3.0%
Melia azedarach	Chinaberry	8’000	3.0%
Strombosia scheffleri		7’500	2.9%
Casimiroa edulis	White sapote	7’000	2.7%
Acrocarpus fraxinifolius	Pink cedar	7’000	2.7%
Antiaris toxicaria	False mvule	7’000	2.7%
Ceiba pentandra	Cotton tree	6’000	2.3%
Spathodea campanulata	Nandi flame	5’000	1.9%
Syzygium cumini	Jambolan	5’000	1.9%
Khaya anthotheca	Mahogany	4’600	1.8%
Tamarindus indica	Tamarind	4’000	1.5%
Trema orientalis	Pigeon wood	4’000	1.5%
Olea capensis	African olive	3’500	1.3%
Craibia brownii		3’500	1.3%
Mangifera indica	Mango fruit	3’000	1.1%
Artocarpus heterophyllus	Jackfruit	3’000	1.1%
Acacia sp. “Ekuwam”		3’000	1.1%
Carica papaya	Pawpaw	3’000	1.1%
Citrus limon	Lemon	3’000	1.1%
Croton macrostachyus	Rush foil	2’500	1.0%
Croton megalocarpus	African croton	2’400	0.9%
Ssp. Ekutat		2’400	0.9%
Persia americana	Avocado	2’000	0.8%
Chrysophyllum albidum	African star apple	1’500	0.6%
Ssp. Ebatat		1’200	0.5%
Ssp. Egongot		1’100	0.4%
Albizia coriara	Silk tree	1’000	0.4%
Ssp. Ekarikwei		1’000	0.4%
Ssp. Epapai		1’000	0.4%
Cordia africana	Sudan teak	1’000	0.4%
Aleurites moluccanus	Candlenut tree	1’000	0.4%
Bridelia micrantha	Mitzeerie	1’000	0.4%
Ssp. Esasame		600	0.2%
Ssp. Ekimeng		600	0.2%
Blighia unijugata		600	0.2%
Moringa oleifera	Moringa	500	0.2%
Funtumia africana	Silk rubber Tree	500	0.2%
Kigelia africana	Sausage tree	300	0.1%
Pouteria altissima		300	0.1%
Aningeria altissima	Aningeria	260	0.1%
Polyscias fulva		210	0.1%
Teclea nobilis		200	0.1%
Bequertiodendron oblanceolatum		200	0.1%
Trichilia emetica	Natal mahogany	160	0.1%
Celtis africana	White stink wood	140	0.1%
Celtis durandii	Stink wood	130	0.0%
Zanthoxylum giletii	East African satin wood	120	0.0%
Albizia gumifera	Peacock flower	120	0.0%
Diospyros abyssinica	African ebony	80	0.0%
Morus lactea	African mulberry	70	0.0%
Sapium ellipticum		50	0.0%
Ficus exasperata	Sandpaper fig	40	0.0%
Croton sylvaticus	Forest fever-berry	30	0.0%
Ficus sur	Broom cluster Fig	30	0.0%
Zanthoxylum mildbraedii	African pepper	20	0.0%
Ficus lutea	Giant leaved Fig	20	0.0%
Total		262’520

YES, WE DISTRIBUTE TREE SEEDLINGS FOR FREE

Because 90% of our beneficiaries are low-income farmers, giving free goods or services is part of our DNA. However, giving for free comes with its challenges, and we had to make sure that our tree seedlings are given the best treatment.

Moreover, the first year is the most critical period for tree seedlings’ survival. Therefore, we emphasize following up on each project during this period, which tremendously increases seedlings’ chances of one day reaching the adult stage.

Here are the main steps we follow to ensure that our tree seedlings are handled with the biggest care. It is all about ensuring that our beneficiaries are truly willing to receive and commit to taking care of the seedlings.

1. Sensitization

We visit communities and schools to sensitize them about indigenous trees. Then we take tree orders from potential beneficiaries. Candidates for tree planting are required to form groups of 22 members.

2. Assesment of Applicants

Distribution of Cajanus seeds
Cajanus seeds are distributed to each candidate and within 3 months they will form a canopy to protect our tree seedlings from the harsh sunlight.

Site visit
An assesment of each candidate’s survival of Cajanus seedlings is performed, which determines his/her eligibility to receive the tree seedlings he/she requested.

3. Plantation of Tree Seedlings

We hold a requisition meeting to assign tree species that suit best to each project’s climatic conditions.

An assortment of 80 indigenous tree seedlings with 10% fruit trees is prepared and distributed to each beneficiary. The fruit trees (e.g. mango tree, papaya tree, etc.) are not stricly indigenous, but they have been in Africa for centuries and we distribute them for their nutritional value.

4. Follow-up of Plantation Projects

We keep in touch with each beneficiary and follow up on the health of tree seedlings throughout the year.

We conduct an impact assessment after a year in January, where we visit each project to assess the survival rate of the trees. This activity greatly helps receive feedback from beneficiaries to improve the way we deliver impact.

5. Rewarding commitment

We reward beneficiaries who succeed to keep a high survival rate of our seedlings after a year with a – highly demanded – improved stove (that reduces households’ usage of firewood by 66%). Those beneficiaries also become eligible to receive new seedlings the following year together with lessons of organic farming.

BESIDES TREE PLANTING, WE ALSO DO:

SENSITIZATION

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ROCKET STOVES

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ORGANIC FARMING

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EMAUA

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FINANCIALS

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