In 2017, the Global Forest Fund supported nine projects in Bangladesh, Tanzania, Ghana, Malta, DR Congo and Nigeria.

Bangladesh- protecting the coast

In Bangladesh, 30 children and 50 villagers planted 1600 trees in a fishing village in the Satkhira region. 500 of the trees planted were native medicinal, fruit or timber species, and the rest were mangrove trees. Mangroves protect coastal ecosystems from erosion and natural disasters. The participants learned about the role of trees in mitigating the effects of climate change and how mangrove trees in particular are beneficial to coastal areas.

DR CONGO - THE BENEFITS OF TREES

In DR Congo, 36 teachers came together for a two-day gathering to establish tree nurseries and learn about biodiversity. The teachers are all leaders of environmental clubs in their schools. The teachers then returned to their communities where they organised campaigns to raise environmental awareness and advocate for forest conservation. Participants discussed how to protect forests from fires, soil erosion and deforestation. After three months, the seedlings from the nurseries were distributed to the communities to be planted in schools and public spaces.

ghana- trees for food

In Ghana, students, teachers and parents from Kete-Krachi Schools planted fruit and shade trees on the school playground. The students were taught about the benefits of trees, in particular how fruit trees provide food that is part of a healthy diet. They were also educated about environmental protection and how trees contribute to a healthy population and economy.

malta - local species for local needs

The Global Forest Fund supported projects at three schools in Malta - San Lawrenz Primary, San Gwann Primary and San Gorg Preca Hamrun Secondary School. All of the projects focused on planting local tree species such as loquat, orange, mulberry, pomegranate, sandarac and olive trees. The fund also supported the installation of drip irrigation systems - a must during Malta’s hot and dry summer months. All of the students were actively involved in the tree planting and engaged in educational follow-up activities, including making their own olive oil!

tanzania - reforestation

In Tanzania, Nyamilanda Primary School worked together with Action for Ngono Basin Reforestation and planted 5,000 trees in just one day! Students were taught about seed storage, weed control, irrigation, the causes and effects of environmental destruction, how to use ecological knowledge to conserve the environment and the benefits of conserving the environment.

nigeria - saving endangered species

The Global Forest Fund partnered with the International Student Environmental Coalition Nigeria to promote projects at three schools. At each school, the day began with educational lectures and activities about the importance of environmental protection and sustainability. The students learned that trees provide services like shade, clean air, erosion prevention, food, medicine, pollution control and timber. The students then planted Ekki tree seedlings - an endangered native species that grows rapidly and is adapted to survive under the hot Nigerian sun.