Bangladesh, Belarus, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Philippines, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia.

Overseas Projects

Brief details of some of our recently funded projects by country.  With your donations we can continue to make a difference!!

BANGLADESH

Based in the Dhaka region, around the two villages of Boistabdia and Bangalpara, the project is to establish a plantation of various trees of value to the local people - wood trees for furniture, fruit trees such as Mango, Jackfruit and Coconut, Herbal medicine trees and Flowering trees.  By encouraging the local people to take an interest in the project the hope is that they will, in turn, be encouraged to plant more trees around their own homes, on unused ground and alongside land used for crops.

BELARUS

Based in the village of Golovchitsy, in the Nrovlya region of Belarus, this project was set up to provide a viable and sustainable source of income for local families by regenerating a 200 year old apple orchard. Using modern methods of orchard management and dwarf varieties of winter grade apples, the orchard will generate supplementary income for the families in the area. School children are involved with planting and protecting the young saplings from hare and wild boar grazing. There are now over 1000 apple trees in the orchard - varieties which are commercially more valuable and easier to pick by hand. The orchard is now 2 years old and produced its first crop in summer 2007. Neighbouring villages are keen to develop similar schemes, and ITF is investigating agroforestry potential in the area to improve the productivity of farms and alleviate poverty.

CAMEROON

Reforestation of the Kitiwum Village Watershed with Apiculture and Nature Conservation
Bamenda, North West Cameroon. The problems in this area are unusual. Kitiwum Village was provided with pipe-borne water some 15 years ago but since then the water catchment area has been badly degraded as farming and cattle rearing have resulted in the complete removal of forest cover. Consequently, water tanks have been silted and the quality and quantity of the water greatly reduced. In the dry season water shortages are more common and there has been a marked increase in diseases such as dysentery and typhoid, as a result of impurities in the water. ITF funded seedlings and the establishment of a sample tree nursery, to enable the local community to reforest the area. The project aims to plant 50,000 trees including Prunus Africana, Croton and Dovyalis.

ETHIOPIA

In the Wuf-Washa Forest area, ITF work with our partner organization, Sunarma, to support the establishment of nurseries and the raising of indigenous tree seedlings. This is an on-going project with the long-term objective of helping farming families move from subsistence farming, with its unremitting pressure on forest remnants, to a market economy where income can be earned outside the forest area. Alternative income generation is an important part of the process of alleviating poverty. Community based forestry management also takes the pressure off the remaining indigenous forest where this project is based.

GAMBIA

Community Forest Project
Working with the Kartong Association for Responsible Tourism, in Fajara, ITF is supporting a community owned forest in Kartong. The benefits to the local community are numerous - to replace trees being felled, reduce fire damage, provide fast growing tees for a wood lot, to grow seedlings and trees for sale. Villagers can benefit from the easier availability of firewood but the project is also linked to an initiative to provide fuel efficient stoves that burn rice husks rather than wood. The project employs local people and involves local schools by organising seed collections and teaching the children about the need for forestry preservation.
A student from Cumbria University departed in June 2008 to join the project in Kartong, for six months. Matt will bring up to date theory and knowledge to the project and will in turn obtain experience in the field which can be used later in his career. You can view Kentons blog from his visit to the ITF supported project in Gambia in June 2008 using the link on the right

GHANA

Tree nursery and planting project in Karaga District
This project supports rural farmers in the district with seedlings and training models to engage in tree planting. This is to help conserve the environment and to raise income levels. The main aim of the project is to ensure food security and reduce poverty amongst rural farmers. Mango, cashew, teak, and acacia seedlings are raised and grafted which are then distributed to community members for transplanting after they have received training and orientation on the application of best practices and management procedures including grafting, pest and disease control and planting process. As the savannah grassland has very poor nutrients, a key part of this project is training in preparing compost manure to add value to the soil. This has made a big improvement to the project. Advocacy sessions on bush burning have also made a significant difference to the project success. After 5 years, the nursery becomes self-financing as mangoes and cashews are sold and the acacia and teak are harvested for firewood and electricity poles. There remains a long waiting list of farmers wishing to enrole in this scheme which has seen a steady expansion rate.

Community participation in forestation of Onyaabonsuadze conservation area Tree nursery establishment, community and school biodiversity conservation outreach activities, and local capacity building in nursery establishment programs are taking place in Gyangyandze and Gyahadze in the Effutu district of Central Region Ghana. 16700 Senna siamea, Leucaena leucocephala, Milletia thonningii seedlings have been planted as either woodlots or agroforestry farms which provide the community members with an alternative and sustainable source of biomass energy. Through this project it is hoped that the people in the community have their own sources of firewood, and there will be less or no dependence on the natural forest ecosystem (Onyaabonsuadze sacred grove).

HAITI

Seed Project
This was a small 'seed' project but with a seriously large objective! ITF support for this project will allow for the purchase good quality improved seed from sources outside of Haiti, and provide growers and suppliers in Haiti with a market for seed from individual 'elite' trees and seed from outstanding groves of trees identified through the project. The benefits of improved tree seed is clearly evident, in terms of better trees, grown more successfully on difficult sites; benefits include better trees yielding higher quality products, and trees which grow to useful maturity in shorter amounts of time. Such tree seed will improve the tree stock that poor people are using in Haiti to help conserve and restore their degraded environment, and use in their struggle to survive economically and support families living in poverty.

INDIA

Eco-clubs Schools planting
This project is planting and raising trees in 50 schools throughout Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, South India. This forms part of an environmental education program and teaches the importance of trees to children and general local community through practical work.

KENYA

Although Kenya was once a country rich in trees, the forests have become critically depleted from generations of intrusion by both individuals and commercial concerns. ITF supports several projects in Kenya to plant trees to provide for local needs and so prevent further depletion of mature forest.
In Western Kenya increasing human and livestock population pressures, logging and deforestation of indigenous trees has led to a semi-desert environment, soil erosion and infertile soil. This in turn has resulted in reduced farmland, lack of fuel, and poverty. ITF partnered with SOLAF in 2004 who educate and train communities to maintain the tree nurseries. 2.5 million trees have been successfully established of which 39,000 are indigenous. SOLAF are aiming to raise 6 million seedlings for the community by 2010.
The SOLAF tree nurseries raise tree seedlings, provide seeds to the community, and plant trees on arid land. Matured trees will provide wood for community use as fuel, timber, baskets, clothes, and animal fodder. Indigenous trees are especially important for their high timber quality, and vitamins and nutrients.
ITF supports 8 nurseries, which cover 4 districts (providing seeds to a population of 6 million). 80 nursery attendants now run the 8 SOLAF tree nurseries and have been trained to an experienced level responsible for sound management of seedling growth. There is a high demand for the seedlings from the local communities, who buy them at a reduced rate. Sales of 600,000 seedlings have generated enough income to subsidise 18 SOLAF nursery attendants for up to 8 months. Over 8000 families have directly benefited from this project by receiving 50-150 seedlings each. 200 local groups including churches, mosques, schools, colleges, self help groups and prisons were supplied with seedlings and are in regular contact with the volunteers at SOLAF nurseries for consultation on tree care and management.

MALAWI

Usisya Tree Nursery - TEMWA
This is a tree nursery project with view to increasing the number and variety of fruit trees in Usisya to address the current issue of malnutrition in the area. This will be achieved by developing a better understanding amongst the partner organisation and key persons in the community on the construction of a tree nursery and raising seedlings (propagating, grafting). Our partners are introducing the idea of growing agroforestry-specific trees to assist with soil conservation and improve agriculture outputs to the community, and educating the local population as to the benefits of trees in their community and the importance of good land stewardship.

Horizon Farming
Twenty miles from Malawi's capital, Lililongwe, this project is transforming a former tobacco farm to be available for small-scale food-crop production amongst the 12 indigenous communities which surround the farm. Here, tree production and agroforestry practices have been introduced to the local people and encouraged them to grow trees as part of their agricultural practices.
This past year, the communities produced over 30,000 tree seedlings, for use in the villages and on small farms. These trees will provide cover and protection for agricultural crops, add nitrogen rich organic matter to depleted soils, produce fuelwood sustainably, and supplement local diets with nutritious fruits. The participating villages have organised forestry committees, and the youth clubs and young farmers groups are keenly involved.
The farm is going to be the site for an extensive agroforestry planting and demonstration site. Over half the 10 hectare site was planted in the last rainy season; the site contains nearly 10,000 trees, including acacias, albizia, terminalia, ficus, gliricidia and other useful tropical species. Fodder banks, planted with trees species known for their protein- rich foliage have been planted to produce useful animal food, on a sustainable rotation during the dry season.

The Children's Food Forest
Community owned land which was once dense forest is being re planted to reduce erosion in villages near Chintheche Nkhata Bay, Malawi. School children are taking part in training and practical learning about the benefits of planting trees and plants to help against nutrient deficiency, composting, growing fruit. Along with fruit and exotic species, Indigenous species are being planted through this project such as red mahogany, pod mahogany, silver terminalia, fame tree, njaya, zimamani.

MALI

OMADEZA
ITF are supporting Oeuvre Malienne pour le Developpement des Zones Arides to restore two badly degraded zones of sahelien type forest. Trees are being raised to establish a seed-bank needed to enable reforestation with indigenous species and reduce the pressure on the existing forests. The villagers are trained in tree management and tree grafting. Indigenous species specifically selected to suit the local need and growing conditions include:-

• Baobab - selected for its fruits which are rich in vitamins C and B1. An essential part of the local diet, it is also used commercially in the pharmaceutical industry. It adapts to all soils and resists fires and droughts.
• Gommier (Senegal Acacia) - again tolerates drought and high temperatures. It produces gum arabic which is a much needed source of income.
• Jujube - another tree with multiple uses - a true tree of the Sahel.
• Pourghere - ideal for a double quickset hedge around the perimeter of the nurseries.

SAHEL- ECO
ITF has partnered with a Malian NGO in an innovative approach to increase tree cover. Historically, the forestry service in Mali issued permits to cut timber. A permit holder was free to go into a farmers land and cut down timber, so farmers had little incentive to plant or allow naturally generating trees to grow in their fields. Although the law changed in 1995, the practice is still widespread and accepted. Following a successful pilot project, Sahel-Eco and ITF are developing communication materials and training community advisors to teach and offer practical advice in the management of field trees. The project will use radio broadcasts, video, and brochures in local languages across the Mopti region. The aim is that farmers and community members will protect their field trees from unauthorised felling and to enable selected seedlings (both naturally regenerated and planted) to grow to maturity.
These trees will provide timber, fuel, fruits and income generation activites, thus reducing vulnerability to drought. In the long term, this project will contribute to reversing the devastating effects of deforestation on rural and urban livelihoods in the Sahel.

JOLIBA TRUST
In the Dogon region in Mali the lack of trees is a major cause of migration from the area. ITF is supporting projects in dune stabilisation, tree production and planting, and arboretums in schools.
Dune Stabilisation - This project aims to combat the effects of the wind and prevent the advance of sand dunes onto fertile land in Dogon region of Mali. Local women and men are trained in nursery management and will raise 19,000 trees of local species to plant over 16ha of dunes. The trees will be protected by inter-connecting grids of dead hedgerow. To prevent grazing animals destroying the young trees, this project employs 6 people per hectare to guard the plants on a 24 hour basis for the first year to allow them to become established. After 3-4 yrs the dunes will be stabilised and should attract wildlife back into the area.
Tree Production and Planting - Over 1000 community volunteers in 5 districts will gain sufficient skills to produce and plant 66,000 trees and a sufficient market for their nursery trees so they can continue to work alone after of the end of this project. They will carry out the following planting work: community tree groves, hedgerow planting, field boundary planting, water conservation planting around seasonal ponds, windbreak planting, planting in fields and courtyards of income-generating and fruit trees, planting of trees that will be useful for fuel, construction, medicine, dyes, animal fodder, soil regeneration and household tools and implements. Nursery managers will also receive training in grafting.
Arboretums for Four Schools - Baobab, zizyphus, mango and tamarind are being grown by the school children in this educational project with view to give the children a love and knowledge of trees and skills that will be useful to them throughout their life.

PHILIPPINES

Partnership for Ecological Orientation for the Preservation of Leyte's Environment
This project is rehabilitating 10 hectares of farm lands by planting native forest trees, fruit trees, to reduce poverty in local farmers. The care and maintenance of 5000 trees will be through a food for work scheme where the farmers will receive rice in return for their labour in tree maintenance.

RWANDA

As confirmed by many government leaders, the major problem in the field of environmental protection in Rwanda is the imbalance between the population and the natural resources (land, water, flora and fauna and non-renewable resources, which have been degrading for decades). This degradation is observed through massive deforestation, the depletion of bio-diversity, erosion and land slides, pollution of waterways and the degradation of fragile ecosystems, such as swamps and wetlands. That is why RDIS dioceses are engaged in the strategy of working with the communities in tree planting.

ITF now supports 13 community tree nurseries in Rwanda.

• The six in Cyangugu Diocese produced seedlings in 2007/8 as follows: Mpinga 19,000; Bweyeye 19,000; Ntendezi 19,200; Kamembe 29,000; Nyarusange 18,400 and Gisuma 28,000.
• In Shyogwe Diocese the three nurseries at Rushoka, Shyogwe and Runda (Kiyonza) produced 60,000 seedlings.
• Butare Diocese divided their funding support between two nurseries, at Buhoro and Munovi, where they grew a total of 28,000 trees.
• In Kigeme Diocese the nurseries at Kigeme and Uwinkomo parishes grew 32,000 seedlings.

So a total of 252,600 seedlings were distributed from 13 tree nurseries.

RDIS has a member of staff to supervise the nurseries and carry out training in each of the four Dioceses. The local community members provide the manual work in building the tree nurseries, transport of manure, transplanting seedlings, watering and keeping an eye on seedlings as they grow.

The project is providing trees to local communities for fuel wood, building timber, soil conservation, livestock fodder and fruit to combat malnutrition.

RDIS are trying to encourage the sale of seedlings in order for the nurseries to become self-sustaining in the future. This got off to a slow start in 2007. Some seedlings were sold at between 1p and 5p each to those people who could afford it. As the main aim of the project is to provide tree seedlings to the poorest and most needy people, most seedlings were still given away free of charge. As a result sales only raised just under £120 across the 13 nurseries. RDIS hope to increase this gradually over the next few years so that ITF contributions can decrease proportionately.

One person in Kamembe has sold trees from his wood lot and saved enough money to purchase a cow. The cow will produce milk to improve nutrition and his children will cease to suffer from kwashiorkor, a sickness caused by a lack of nutrients. Also, a cow produces manure that contributes to soil fertility, so the household will be able to grow more crops, have a better diet and maybe have a surplus harvest to sell.

Rwandan coffee has a wonderful flavour and is becoming more popular. The price paid to growers is increasing and the Government of Rwanda is encouraging people to plant more coffee to sell under the Fair Trade label. RDIS tree nurseries will make coffee seedlings available to smallholding farmers.

RDIS is requesting a volunteer to go to Rwanda for 6 months to work with a recently established fruit-processing project - to help market fruit products and develop the business. Please contact ITF for more details.

Calliandra saplings growing in Banda Nursery which increase soil fertility, is a good source of animal fodder, fuel wood and provides nectar for bees

Tree planting in Gisumu

SUDAN

In an isolated part of South Sudan ITF funds a community run nursery to produce seedlings for the local population of Wanda and Kediba. There has been severe deforestation in the area due both to the 'scorched earth policy' of retreating warring factions and the overgrazing of cattle by neighbouring tribes. A variety of trees are planted - Leuceana, Calliandra, Cassia, Teak, Guava, Mango, Moringa. A mixture of native and introduced species have been selected to improve soil structure, provide fruit, firewood, medicines and shade. The young saplings are protected from grazing animals by fencing with thorny materials and from soil erosion by mulching and underplanting with lemon grass and crotoleria. All are fairly hardy and have survived the difficult growing conditions well.

TANZANIA

Africa Conservation Foundation - Community based Forest Conservation and Restoration
In response to the serious environmental problems below the Ngorongoro crater in the Eyasi area in Northern Tanzania, ITF supports the African Conservation Foundation with the establishment of tree nurseries. In two villages previously degraded village land has been directly reforested through local tree planting and conservation activities.
In Iringa, deforestation has taken place to grow tobacco plantations. In addition, trees both young and old are cut down for tobacco curing as well as domestic use. As well as reforestation, the project will also benefit the community by providing:-
- harvestable food such as pawpaws, oranges, mangoes and guavas. These are grown for sale to augment family incomes, although fruits and trees are given to schools for free.
- employment for local villagers planting, watering and weeding
- increased understanding of tree care and propagation.

ZAMBIA

Community based nursery
In Mpika, Northern Zambia ITF are supporting Fort Hares Flori-Organic Gardens, a CBO, to purchase seeds for tree nurseries in 7 isolated villages. A variety of fast-growing trees have been selected for their high nutritional and medicinal value and quality of timber. This project has already established 19000 tree saplings of which 1000 are indigenous tree species including Brachstegia (for bark ropes), Barlinia (for door frames), Uapaca (fruits), and Syzygium (a medicinal tree). This project will help to improve the well-being of the local people by providing fruits and wood for fuel, timber, and animal fodder.