About Our Projects
Sponsor Trees focus on community based tree planting projects, including fruit tree nurseries as these provide the most direct benefits to the local families and communities. The seedlings are planted for their direct and our indirect benefit, and this also makes theses projects the most sustainable. To read more about the benefits of trees, click here.
For tree planting projects to be sustainable, a range of tree species suitable to the local eco-system must be planted. No less than 6 different types of indigenous trees must be planted in open areas, so they absorb and replenish different nutrients from different levels underground.
By partnering with a range of tree planting organizations around developing countries, trees have been sponsored in Honduras, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malawi, Panama, Haiti and Ethiopia. Locations of nurseries and types of trees within depend up on the time of year, quantities being planted, climate variations, water supply, cost efficiencies, availability of seeds, general demographics and demand from villagers for crops, nutrition, shelter etc.
Criteria for projects:
- The projects must aim for long term benefits to the environment
- The projects need to show socio-economic benefits to the locals
- The projects must have all costs covered, and not require the community to spend their own money
- The projects must be monitored to ensure at least enough trees survive
- The projects should be sustainable, showing improvement and annual growth
- They should include education so the trees are managed correctly
Why Africa?
Ethiopia High Street out of town
Africa was once predominantly rainforest, much like South America still is today. Due to our global demand and exploitation of natural resources, now barely 5% of the original forest remains across the continent of Africa. Africa is the one continent which has already suffered the most from climate change. The rain seasons are shorter and the droughts are more frequent. Far too many people throughout the whole of Africa struggle to find drinking water and live below the poverty line of $1 a day. You can read more about our specific tree planting projects on our pages tree planting in Ethiopia and tree planting in Malawi.
Trees are also more affordable in Africa, absorb more carbon dioxide due to a high rate of photosynthesis and there is no shortage of land on which to grow many. When families are given 10-20 trees each, it is enough to make a difference and help support them to generate their own much needed sustainable income. These trees are planted in barren landscapes where human desperation has cleared areas with currently very little natural resources. Unlike most areas which have other uses, these areas may only survive with our help, and these trees as conditions can be too tough even for farming use. Within areas home to natural forest are dormant seeds lying in the ground. With soil stabilisation and new tree roots, these can grow back, and planting trees or not in these areas, can have huge implications. Read about how many benefits trees can provide!
Mango Tree
Happy workers in nursery
- One tree absorbs about 1 ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime, and can produce enough oxygen for 10 people in a year.
- Each person on average produces about 10 tons of carbon dioxide every year, which amounts to 10 trees!
- Trees can help cool the earth by approximately 5F by shading the ground around them and, evaporating moisture from their leaves.
- Tree roots stabilise worn soil, prevent erosion and guide water down to under ground aquifers supporting surrounding growth.
- Trees can help balance the eco-system, enhance bio-diversity and provide homes for wildlife and endangered species.
- Many trees coppice (grow back after cutting) and can therefore produce many times the benefits by being managed correctly.
- Trees produce fruit and valuable medicines
- Trees can live for over 100 yrs and are self-sustainable
- For every 50 trees planted in deforested areas, 150 are likely to grow back.
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