-
Tuko Pamoja – We Are Together
Tree planters are Community Forests’ roots. Back in 2006, co-founder Mbarouk Mussa Omar approached a young group of Canadian tree planters to discuss how to make tree planting a source of environmental and economic sustainability for communities of Pemba Island, Zanzibar. As Mbarouk said, “We started with an idea and then worked each and every Read more »
-
Uplifting Women’s Equality
Translating to “ingredients” in Swahili, the VIUNGO Project is a four-year collaborative effort between local and international organizations in Zanzibar. Community Forests and our partners are working to support small-scale farmers, empower women and youth, and boost economic growth and opportunity – key ingredients in a recipe for resilience! In celebration of International Women’s Day, Read more »
-
Unlocking the potential of Zanzibar’s horticulture sector
At the end of 2020, Community Forests International was excited to announce the anticipated launch of the VIUNGO Project in Zanzibar. Translating to “ingredients” in Swahili, VIUNGO is a four-year collaborative effort between local and international organizations in the region. Community Forests and our partners are working to support small-scale farmers, empower women and youth, Read more »
-
Innovative Forest Management on the Chignecto Isthmus
The Chignecto Isthmus is the narrow strip of land bridging Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. As the only transportation corridor between Nova Scotia and mainland Canada, the isthmus is vitally important for local communities and nature alike. Unfortunately, the region faces many threats–from natural habitat fragmentation to risk of flooding exacerbated by rising sea levels. Read more »
-
Can forests protect us from flooding?
Climate change is causing more frequent and extreme storms. For much of Canada, this will likely mean more flooding. Flood damages in Canada exceeded $1.8 billion between 2009 and 2017. Here in New Brunswick, the province has been forced to access federal disaster relief funding more than any other jurisdiction in Canada. Recent data shows Read more »
-
What are forest regeneration surveys and why are they important?
Healthy Acadian forests provide essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, wildlife habitat, and recreation. Today, however, less than 5% of the Acadian forest remains in a pre-colonial condition. This is due to long-term intensive land-use and forestry practices that favour single-aged, softwood-dominated forests. We need to protect healthy forests for the immediate Read more »
-
The Future of Nova Scotia’s Forests
In March, we visited Caledonia, Nova Scotia, to understand the challenges facing small private woodlot owners in the region Making a living off of the land is a rewarding, but challenging commitment. Small private woodlot owners, of which there are approximately 80,000 in Canada’s Maritime Provinces, face both new and persisting challenges in managing their forests. Read more »
-
Sustainable Forest Management
At Community Forests International, we talk a lot about the importance about sustainable forest management. But what does “sustainable management” actually mean? Here in the the Maritime Provinces, the forestry industry has a long history of managing forests for a narrow set of goals, mostly to do with producing timber, which is then processed to Read more »
-
We Adapt
As we wrapped up a video meeting with the Zanzibar team this morning, my colleague Omar chimed in with a question that’s been in the back of everyone’s mind: “I want to ask, what is our real plan for this planting season? Because of course so many people are still depending on us.” Omar is Read more »
-
A Family Forest Preserved
Community Forests International has acquired a 115-acre forest in Waterford, New Brunswick, about 15 kilometers from Sussex. The Sackville-based charity has now protected more than 1,170 acres of old forest in New Brunswick. The forest was donated to Community Forests International by Elizabeth (Betty) Lucas, née Buchanan. The forest belonged to her family since 1855, Read more »
-
A Time for Community and Compassion
Our team has received some thoughtful notes of solidarity from colleagues and partners around the world these last few days, and it’s really heartened us. We wanted to share some of our own thoughts in hopes they might help you all get through these stressful times. Like many of you, we are trying to process Read more »
-
Gender Equality and Climate Change
Anne and Daimen were recently invited onto the Femme Wonk podcast Katie Davey podcast to discuss the interplay between gender inequality and climate change vulnerability with host Katie Davey, drawing from our work in Zanzibar. “Without women being able to participate fully in income-diversifying activities and learning skills that will help them build resilience, whole Read more »
Subscribe To Your Favourite Forests
Stories from the Wabanaki forest of the Maritimes, the Spice Forests of Zanzibar, and the mangrove forests of Mozambique.
Sign Me Up