We need to protect our healthy forests now for the immediate climate security they provide, but we also plant a diversity of trees to restore lost forests on degraded landscapes. According to the UN Environment Programme, restoring forests and mangroves, along with other natural solutions, can provide over one-third of the greenhouse gas mitigation needed by 2030 to combat the climate crisis.
Wabanaki Forest Restoration
We plant a wide diversity of trees in degraded landscapes to bring back the lost forests for future generations. Trees are important allies in the fight for a climate secure future, and although tree planting does not have an immediate climate impact within 10-15 years newly restored forests begin to draw a significant amount of carbon out of the atmosphere. Not all trees are planted equally. Only when done right will restoration projects have long-term climate and community benefits.
Tree planting is one of the most effective solutions to mitigate climate change. We work in the Canadian Maritime Provinces, within the traditional Indigenous region of Wabanakik, to transform deforested land into thriving forest ecosystems.
Enrichment Planting
In addition to restoring previously clear-cut lands, Community Forests works to increase the biodiversity and climate-resilience of the Wabanaki Forest through enrichment tree planting: a process of adding carefully selected tree seedlings within an existing forest.
We work predominantly in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where forests are being removed from the landscape faster than they can be replaced. In the last 25 years, 36% of New Brunswick’s forest has been cut, which is more than three times Canada’s average.
To regrow these clear-cut forests for improved climate change resilience and mitigation, Community Forests International plants diversity of climate-change resilient, native species on degraded lands. We develop long-term stewardship plans for the reforested lands and conduct outreach activities to increase public awareness of the need to restore forested landscapes.
Visit a planting site!
Mangrove Restoration
The strong interlocking roots of mangrove forests hold soils in place against waves and flooding, but these critical ecosystems are threatened. We work with communities to grow and restore mangroves on Zanzibar’s fragile coast-lines. Mangrove forests and their phenomenal biological productivity are crucial resources for maintaining the livelihoods of nearby communities.
Mangrove forests hug Pemba’s coastline, surrounding the island with a “bio-shield” of trees that live half on the land and half in the sea. Their strong interlocking roots hold soils in place against waves and flooding and provide important habitat for fish and other wildlife. Replanting mangroves forests improves the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities by providing livelihood diversification opportunities, an improved natural resource base, protection from coastal flooding, and greater overall ecological health. Healthy mangrove forests reduce water level surges by up to half a meter for every kilometre of their width, a vital ecosystem service for coastal communities in a changing climate! Currently, Community Forests International supports 16 community nurseries that collectively raise and plant approximately 150,000 trees per year. To date, these nurseries have helped restore over 8 hectares of mangrove forest across Zanzibar.
Community Tree Nurseries
The coastal forest of Eastern Africa is rated highest worldwide for ecological diversity, and 40% of this forest type is found in the coastal regions of Tanzania. We work with local partners to establish community-owned and operated tree nurseries, growing and planting over 30 species of trees for restoration, food production and income generation.
Read more about Community Tree Nurseries!
