Australia experienced one of the largest natural disasters in history. This year’s fire season has brought about unprecedented destruction as wildfires have spread across every Australian state, burning up nearly 6 million hectares (15 million acres) of bush as of January 2020. But the devastation witnessed in the state of New South Wales is nearly unfathomable – 3.6 million hectares (8.8 million acres) have been lost, over 1,500 homes destroyed or damaged, and 24 people have been killed.
This tree planting project links environmental restoration with income generation, providing the local community with the knowledge and tools to conserve their land, protect their water supply, and create a sustainable, diverse economy for future generations. It focuses on the Loka Bedelcha Kebele in Southern Ethiopia, and the Amhara region in the North. Both are areas where environmental degradation is threatening livelihoods and biodiversity. These regions face challenges like dry and unpredictable climates, poor soil fertility, ineffective land management practices, and lenient resource regulations.
The Atlantic Forest, also known as Mata Atlantica, once spanned 130 million hectares across Brazil. Now, this tropical rainforest ecosystem covers only about 12% of its original area and is home to more than half of the country’s population. Centuries of deforestation for timber, sugar cane, coffee, cattle ranching, and urban sprawl have contributed to its current state. Nearly all of the remaining forest is in western São Paulo State, including the Mooro do Diablo State Park, the Black Lion Tamarin Ecological Station, and many smaller forest fragments.
Kenya’s Kijabe Forest is a highland mosaic ‘Afro-alpine’ forest that was once dominated by trees, such as the East African pencil-cedar and African olive. Roughly one-third of the original high-canopy forest still stands and provides important habitat for biodiversity. The forest is only about 5,000 hectares, but a community of almost 200,000 people depend on it for water, wood, and agriculture. Increasing pressure for land poses significant threats to the region, leading to the over-extraction of resources and illegal timber harvesting. Planting trees here will help protect this vital ecosystem, promote environmental education, and foster sustainable livelihoods through seed collection and ecotourism.
Ranging from the Indian Ocean to the Himalayas, from the Bay of Bengal to the Hindu Kush, India is a vast land full of contrasts. India’s forests are a reflection of the subcontinent’s great diversity of landscapes and ecosystems. Moist and dry tropical forests, temperate and subtropical montane forests, alpine forests and mangrove forests are all found here. Recognized as one of the 17 “megadiverse” countries, around 8% of the world’s flora and fauna is found in India, including species like Bengal Tigers. With nearly 3,000, India supports the largest population globally. Additionally, India’s forests support the livelihoods of almost 275 million people, who depend on them for food, fuelwood, fodder and other forest products.
