100 million trees and counting ??
Welcome to our May highlights, packed with inspiring updates from WeForest’s projects around the world
We have recently released our latest Annual Report, and we can’t wait to share some of our biggest achievements.
Read on to learn more about how we hit our target of growing 100 million trees two years earlier than planned, and what restoration at this scale looks like for the people we’re working with to restore our incredible planet.
People just like The Mothers of the Sacred Kapok Tree in Ziguinchor forest, Senegal, pictured above; Valentine, Marie, Angèle and Sambou.
Measuring progress ??
We have just published our Annual Report for 2023, and we can proudly say that our projects have directly restored over 71 000 hectares of land to date. That’s more than 100 million trees!
WeForest’s work positively impacts both landscapes, and local communities. To date, our projects have ensured 86 000 families are benefiting directly from restoration, with more than 29 000 of those engaged in livelihood activities. This means they’re living off the land in a sustainable way.
People like Beatrice and her son, pictured here and featured on our Annual Report cover, whose participation in sustainable pine production is helping to combat climate change in Zambia.
The reason we have been able to hit such incredible targets, quicker than anticipated, is because we know that the care of a forest requires taking care of the people who depend upon it.
Forests support 1.6 billion people globally and are fundamental for environmental health, social well-being, and economic stability. Our partner communities – the true agents behind successful, sustainable conservation and restoration – lead our mission and impact.
How we began life ??
Have you ever wondered how WeForest started life?
Our organization was born out of one sentence:
“Daddy, you broke the planet. Fix it.”
This heartfelt plea from a daughter to her father ignited Bill Liao's mission to repair our world, leading to the founding of WeForest.
A new short film, featuring our CEO Marie-No?lle Keijzer, details WeForest's transformation from an initial concept into a significant global movement, propelled by passion, scientific research, and the dedication of supporters like you.
News and stories
Climate conscious beauty ??
We’ve made great progress on our Ferlo project’s livelihood strategy in Senegal, holding workshops with communities to identify the products that can be sustainably supplied by our restored forests here, and which will provide the most steady incomes.
One product which demonstrates promise in all the Pastoral Units where we’re working is balanites (desert date) oil from Balanites aegyptiaca, which grows naturally here and is being planted by the project. ?Revered in ancient Egypt, balanites oil is celebrated for its skin-regenerating properties and health benefits, including scar healing and rash relief.
Unlike fruit, which needs to be harvested when trees are mature, oil can be sustainably harvested from younger trees. This means these pastoralist communities of the Sahel – one of the most climate vulnerable ecosystems and populations – will be able to enjoy more secure incomes ?all the sooner.
Meet Mr. Jair ?
At the end of last year we visited Mr. Jair, one of the farmers taking part in our project with Idesam in Apuí, Brazil.
He had around 3 ha of coffee agroforestry which was planted in 2022, and was in the process of preparing another 2 ha to be planted in 2023.
Mr. Jair had never worked with coffee before he started to participate in the project, but after following all the guidelines his agroforestry system is developing well.
While the trees are growing, he has planted crops in between the lines, such as corn, watermelon and pineapple. He is particularly pleased with his watermelons, which he sold in the city of Apuí.
Mr. Jair is the perfect example of why engaging and training local communities to earn a stable income ensures the long-term survival of the trees and builds a solution to deforestation.
领英推荐
A record honey harvest ??
The 2023 numbers from our projects in Zambia where we’re working to introduce sustainable livelihoods to local communities, were inspiring.
Communities celebrated a landmark honey harvest, outperforming 2022 by 28%.
65 tons of high-quality honey brought in $46 per family on average, enough for 7 months’ supply of the main staple food for a family of six.
It’s helped people like Veronica Malunga, pictured here with one of the beehives ordered by WeForest.
This forest-friendly livelihood is supported by a partnership with a company that sells the honey, ensuring a good return for the farmers.
Bees mean honey, and honey means money!
Positive climate news ??
Follow us on social media to get the latest news and updates on both our work and what’s happening in the world of restoration.
We recently started a new series rounding up all the positive climate news from recent weeks.
While it’s crucial to address the immediacy and enormity of the environmental challenges created by climate change, we always try to focus on the positive outcomes and solutions that inspire people.
From eco-conscious fashion to women influencing the future of climate change, read our May edition here.
Dates for your diary ??
There’s a number of international days to celebrate coming up. Each day has a new theme every year.
?? Monday 20th May - World Bee Day
?? Wednesday 22nd May - International Day for Biological Diversity
?? Monday 27th May - Atlantic Forest Day
?? Wednesday 5th June - World Environment Day
?? Monday 17th June - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Make sure you’re following our socials to mark these days with us!
Join our passionate team ??
WeForest is currently advertising a number of vacancies. We might be a little bit biased, but it’s a great place to work!
We’re currently on the lookout for:
Want to make a real difference to the planet?
Let’s chat about teaming up and the ways you can support our work fighting climate change, protecting nature, and lifting up communities ??
Philosopher || Intelligent Design Theorist
2 个月Wonderful WeForest
Engenheiro Ambiental |Sustentabilidade| ESG | Constru??es Sustentáveis | Perito Ambiental | Auditor Interno e Externo | Sistema de Gest?o Ambiental| Licenciamento Ambiental | Consultor Ambiental e ESG , NR's, ISO 14001
6 个月Parabéns, WeForest, pela conquista notável de alcan?ar a meta de 100 milh?es de árvores plantadas antes do previsto! é inspirador ver como seus projetos têm restaurado vastas áreas de terra e beneficiado diretamente milhares de famílias ao redor do mundo. O impacto positivo em comunidades locais, como as M?es da árvore Sagrada em Ziguinchor e os agricultores em Apuí, é uma prova do poder transformador de suas iniciativas. A história de Beatrice e seu filho em Zambia, bem como o sucesso de Jair com a agrofloresta de café no Brasil, ilustram perfeitamente a importancia de envolver e capacitar as comunidades locais. Esses exemplos mostram como a sustentabilidade n?o só protege o meio ambiente, mas também oferece meios de subsistência sustentáveis para quem depende da terra. A abordagem de WeForest, focada em cuidar tanto das florestas quanto das pessoas, é um modelo que deve ser seguido globalmente. Continuem esse excelente trabalho, e saibam que cada árvore plantada e cada vida tocada fazem uma diferen?a imensa para o nosso planeta. #Sustentabilidade #Restora??oFlorestal #ESG #ImpactoPositivo #ComunidadesLocais
Semakin Canggih Jaman. semakin kita terbatasi. nanti, masa depan, akan muncul Penjara Digital.. dengan blokir system..
6 个月World need food from trees
Owner, laxmi biotech
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