Reforesting Senegal, one tree at a time.
The Great Green Wall was conceptualized in the 1970s as an effort to halt land degradation amid record droughts and concerns of deforestation. In 2007, The Africa Union expanded the vision for the Great Green Wall to an integrated approach to landscape restoration that incorporates regenerative agriculture to reach environmental and socio-economic goals. Senegal is part of the GGW zone and embodies the compounding and interconnected issues that face smallholder farmers and pastoralist communities across the region including:
1) Severe food insecurity: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that by 2030 Africa will lose two-thirds of its arable land if the march of desertification — the spread of arid, desert-like areas of land — is not stopped
2) Increasing dryland: disappearance of trees and vegetation due to overgrazing, loss of soil fertility, need for fuelwood, and climate impacts.
3) Increased conflicts: clashes between farmers and herder over limited natural resources
4) Livelihoods challenges: loss of livestock; dropping production and productivity of agricultural activities and malnutrition
5) Migration: due to all of the problems above, and a growing youth population with no access to meaningful work.
The forest garden aims to solve each of these problems with a single solution planted on 1 hectare of land. TreeLift, in partnership with Trees for the Future, is working with thousands of farmers in the area to develop forest garden projects, that not only restore the landscape through tree planting in diverse forest gardens, but also equip farmers with the skills to improve soils, produce an abundance of fruits and vegetables and grow the natural resources they need most.
Trees for the Future (TREES) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving livelihoods and restoring the environment through the power of tree planting. Since its founding in 1989, TREES has planted over 370 million trees across dozens of countries, working directly with farmers to transform degraded lands into thriving ecosystems.
TREES specializes in agroforestry, integrating trees with agricultural practices to create sustainable farming systems. By providing farmers with tree seeds, training, and technical support, they empower communities to combat deforestation, increase food security, and enhance soil health. Their signature "Forest Garden Approach" helps farmers establish diverse, multi-layered tree systems that provide both environmental benefits and economic opportunities.
Through partnerships with local organizations and initiatives like the Clinton Development Initiative, TREES delivers practical solutions, including seeds, tools, and training. These efforts focus on creating sustainable livelihoods while contributing to global reforestation and climate change mitigation. By supporting communities, TREES builds resilience and ensures a healthier, greener future for generations to come.
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1,776trees planted
Senegal
