Trees for the Future

The latest from The Guardian shines a spotlight on Trees for the Future's agroforestry work. Jon Watts wonderfully details our approach to partnering with farmers to restore land and enhance livelihoods. Dig into the article to learn more:

Across Africa and beyond, forests are disappearing at an alarming rate—much of it due to industrial agriculture and unsustainable farming practices. As trees are cleared for monocrops and grazing land, the soil erodes, biodiversity vanishes, and farmers are left with less fertile land year after year. But deforestation isn’t the only way to grow food. We have a unique opportunity. Farmers have the power to restore landscapes while securing their livelihoods. Through the Forest Garden Approach, tens of thousands of African farmers are proving that agriculture and reforestation can go hand in hand. By planting thousands of diverse trees alongside their crops, farmers in our program regenerate their soil, increase biodiversity, and build long-term climate resilience—while growing more food and boosting their incomes. They’re not just farming; they’re rebuilding ecosystems and food systems. This is our opportunity: to support a movement where agriculture protects forests instead of destroying them. A future where African farmers lead the way in sustainable food production and climate solutions. Let’s choose a future that grows with trees, not against them. #InternationalDayofForests #Agroforestry #ForestGarden #SustainableAgriculture

Thank you for making these smiles possible. #InternationalDayofHappiness

The latest WMO climate report confirms what we already know—climate change is accelerating, and the world is running out of time to act. But there’s good news: farmers can be the frontline heroes in the fight against climate change if we let them. We see it every day: farmers transforming their landscapes, building resilience against extreme weather, sequestering carbon through agroforestry, and securing a more sustainable future for their families and communities. The key? Investing in farmer-led solutions. With the right training, tools, and resources, farmers can be climate champions—protecting biodiversity, regenerating ecosystems, and feeding the world. Let’s shift the narrative. Farmers aren’t just victims of climate change; they’re leaders in the solution. ?? Learn more at trees.org #ClimateAction #Agroforestry #RegenerativeAgriculture #NatureBasedSolutions https://lnkd.in/ev2etq_K

A “living fence” or “green wall” is a thick, layered fence of closely-planted trees. In a Forest Garden, the living fence is key in effecting true, transformational change for the land and the farmer.

Jean has been a great example for many farmers who join our program. Her success has shown the power of hard work and healthy land. On Munchkin podcast ??? we got to share more about our mission and the impact our program has had on farmers like Jean. Head over to https://lnkd.in/eFnzeAzF to listen to the full episode.

Here's why?? 94% of farmers faced food insecurity when they first joined the Forest Garden Program. They reported growing only three crops on average. By the end of the program, farmers reported that ten food crops and a dozen marketable products were growing in their Forest Gardens on average. Not only does this approach provide food security for farmers, but it helps them build additional revenue streams, which in the long run boosts income and economic growth, all while helping the planet! Head over to trees.org to learn more about our mission.

Myth or fact?

Did you know drones play an important role in land restoration? TREES' drone pilots take roughly 200 photos throughout the average 20-minute flight. Then, staff generate high-resolution orthomosaic images, 3-D models, and quantitative measurements of above-ground biomass (ABG) change and leaf area index (LAI). This gives our team the ability to see a more comprehensive picture of each Forest Garden than what is visible from the ground. The end result Is detailed?images collected year after year that can provide an in-depth look at a Forest Garden in a given climate, how quickly tree cover and ABG is restored, and where farmers may need more support from us.

Honored to be a UN Flagship.