Climate and Biodiversity

Saving Ocean Wanderers: The Albatross Task Force

Written by Matt Clifton, Senior Trusts and Foundations Manager of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

 

Since 2018, the Planeterra Ocean Health Fund has supported the work of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and BirdLife International’s Albatross Task Force to combat incidental capture of marine wildlife in fisheries around the world. To celebrate 20 years of the Albatross Task Force, we explore how Planeterra are helping scale up these measures to support work in the High Seas tuna fisheries. Oli Yates, Head of BirdLife International provides an update below.

Fisheries are an essential source of income and food security for millions worldwide, yet incidental capture in fishing gear poses a critical threat to marine biodiversity and represents the greatest at-sea threat to many seabird populations. This impact is particularly severe for albatrosses and large petrels, whose migratory life cycles expose them to fishing fleets across multiple Exclusive Economic Zones and in the shared waters of the High Seas – the immense area of ocean outside national jurisdictions. Populations are declining rapidly as these slow-breeding birds are tragically caught on hooks during tuna fishing operations and too often these birds do not survive – an impact known as ‘seabird bycatch’.

Formed in 2004, the RSPB’s Albatross Task Force (ATF) has bridged the gap between the scientific community, policymakers and the fishing industry to reduce albatross bycatch and improve the conservation status of these threatened animals.

The ATF teams have made so many remarkable and vital contributions to seabird conservation over the last 20 years. At-sea trials and implementation of bycatch mitigation measures in trawl and longline fisheries have led to astounding bycatch reductions – such as 98% fewer birds killed in the Namibian longline fishery, and a 99% reduction in albatross bycatch in the South African trawl fleet.

How the Planeterra Ocean Health Fund has helped

Support from the Planeterra Ocean Health Fund has helped deploy ATF staff to scale activities in the High Seas, with the potential to save thousands of seabirds per year at least 36,000 are killed annually (this is likely to be an underestimate due to poor data) including high-risk species like the Atlantic Yellow-nosed albatross, Grey-headed albatross, Wandering albatross and White-chinned petrels.

On the High Seas, fishing is regulated by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs). RFMOs require members to annually report bycatch including details of seabird and sea turtle bycatch, shark finning and implementation of conservation measures (eg. best-practice seabird bycatch mitigation measures) in areas where seabirds are present. Currently, many nations fishing in the High Seas, report extremely low levels of bycatch and no shark finning, which is unlikely given our knowledge of reports from fishery observers. Many fisheries have cited limited availability of trained observers and scientists to collect and analyse the data from commercial fishing activities as a key barrier to reporting.

With over 1,000 vessels operating throughout most of the global ocean, Taiwan is one of the world’s most important fishing nations. One of the most lucrative species targeted is tuna, which is predominantly caught by longline fishing methods.

The RSPB is supporting the Taiwan Wild Bird Federation, Taiwanese fisheries, communities and government to educate and improve understanding of mitigation measures to help protect threatened seabirds and promote sustainably sourced seafood.  Scott Pursner is leading our efforts in Taiwan to support the process of engagement across the spectrum, from government to vessel owners and captains to major international tuna traders. External market access is an important incentive in Taiwan and efforts are underway to strengthen the ability of companies to demonstrate uptake of conservation measures. This is particularly true for those working towards Marine Stewardship Council certification for their vessels.

Details of our solution to tackle bycatch: engage, educate and advocate

Our ATF teams work directly with fishers to assess the risk posed by target fishing fleets by collecting data on vessels and supporting the implementation of effective mitigation measures that can reduce seabird bycatch to negligible levels. The measures range from simply fishing at night when fewer birds are around, to using so-called ‘bird-scaring lines’ which act as scarecrows behind fishing vessels, spooking birds out of harm’s way. In Taiwan, we are not able to join the vessels as they spend months at-sea. Instead, we are deploying an in-port outreach approach to ensure there are locally sourced options to provision Best Practice mitigation measures for the fleet. Where mitigation is available, like bird-scaring lines, we are providing advice on the design and materials. Where mitigation is not available, we are assisting in the sourcing of crew-safe measures such as “sliding leads” that prevent potential injury at-sea.

Our teams also work closely with government representatives, helping secure national regulations, requiring vessels to use such ‘bycatch mitigation measures’. In Taiwan, we are promoting and facilitating awareness of RFMO conservation measures that Taiwan has committed to incorporating into national regulations.  

At a grassroots level, key to ATF success has been outreach activities including the training of fishing industry personnel (fishers, observers and compliance officers), bycatch education workshops at local schools and the production of reference materials (videos, leaflets) to supplement the wider programme. In Taiwan, we are currently adapting this approach to work within the local culture and structure, liaising with the local fishery observer agency, supporting capacity building activities so that lessons learnt in ATF teams are effectively transferred and incorporated into Taiwanese fleets.

The resultant relationships built with key stakeholders in the fishing industry and national authorities around the world puts the ATF in a unique position to help support Taiwanese fleets transition towards full implementation of bycatch mitigation measures on tuna vessels. 

On behalf of the RSPB and Taiwan Wild Bird Foundation, we are grateful for the help from the Planeterra Ocean Health Fund to support Taiwanese fisheries, communities and government to educate and improve understanding of mitigation measures to help protect threatened seabirds and promote sustainably sourced seafood.

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How the Global Ghost Gear Initiative is making waves in marine conservation

One of the most harmful forms of marine debris is abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear—also known as ghost gear.

Planeterra’s Ocean Health Fund is proud to support Ocean Conservancy’s Global Ghost Gear Initiative® (GGGI), a leading alliance dedicated to solving this issue through practical, replicable, and sustainable solutions.

Here are some of the GGGI’s key impacts from the past year:

  • Removing Ghost Gear from Sensitive Marine Areas.
  • Cross-Border Collaboration. The North American Net Collection Initiative , led by GGGI, collects old fishing nets in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. So far, over 566,000 pounds of nets have been collected and mostly recycled into new products.
  • Raising awareness among fishers and the public. GGGI provides hands-on training for fishers and runs public education campaigns. Media appearances like Oceans Haunted By Ghost Gear and Ghost Gear is polluting the Chesapeake Bay and oceans around the world have helped spread awareness to wider audiences.
  • Advocating for a strong global plastics treaty.
Supporting the Next Generation: The Joanna Toole Internship

Another important part of this effort is the Joanna Toole Internship, which supports early-career women pursuing ocean conservation. Hosted by Ocean Conservancy and the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS), the internship is generously funded by Planeterra.

To date, three interns have completed the program—including Wilson Haims, the 2024 Joanna Toole Intern. Her experience highlights the depth and impact of this unique opportunity:

Meet Wilson Haims: 2024 Joanna Toole Intern

My name is Wilson Haims and I am the 2024 Joanna Toole Intern. I am from Maine and graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in Environmental Studies in 2023. 

As part of my undergraduate degree, I participated in an ocean and coastal studies program directed by Williams College called Williams-Mystic. There, I honed my interest in marine issues and gained more experience on the water. By the time I graduated, I had plans to work as a marine educator at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. 

In Alaska, I grew immensely as a naturalist, educator, and as a person. I worked from the Homer Harbor and regularly interacted with the commercial, sport, and subsistence fishermen. As the summer progressed, I had the opportunity to go salmon fishing and I became increasingly compelled by human relationships to the ocean and our reliance on its resources; fishing merges the concepts of tradition, culture, subsistence, science, connection to nature, and technique in a way that is challenging to find in other professions or recreational activities.

Wilson Haims Joanna Toole Internship

Over the past three months, I had the opportunity to work with the Marine Debris and Plastics Program at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Massachusetts. During my time in Provincetown I collaborated with local fishermen to recover lost and abandoned fishing gear from Cape Cod Bay, assisted in leading a week-long fishing gear removal effort from the beaches on Cuttyhunk Island, and helped coordinate a residency for students from Cornell University to engage with ghost gear and marine debris related issues. 

Beyond these larger projects, I also participated on research cruises with the Right Whale Research team, the Marine Animal Entanglement Response team and had the chance to observe a side-scan sonar cruise. I look forward to translating my experience in ghost gear related field work to the Global Ghost Gear Initiative. 

When I discovered the Joanna Toole Internship, I was struck by how unique the opportunity is: I had the chance to recover ghost gear from Cape Cod Bay, working directly in collaboration with fishermen, and now get to zoom out and consider these issues on a global scale. 

Beyond this position’s comprehensive approach, I am fascinated by how collaborative this work can be and who it speaks to. At the Center for Coastal Studies I worked with artists, scientists, environmentalists, fishermen, volunteers, and a fishing net recycler. In my interactions with these individuals, I quickly learned that many of them claim more than just one of these titles. 

It is my hope and intention to bring what I have learned from these diverse perspectives and incorporate their insight into how I approach this work. I look forward to exploring where the second half of this internship takes me.

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Restoring the Sacred Forests of Umswai Valley

Written by Madhurjya Sarma, Senior Manager at GHE

As part of our tree-growing initiative, Planeterra has teamed up with GHE, an Indian social enterprise focused on delivering clean energy and promoting sustainable tourism in remote, off-grid communities. Together, we are collaborating on a project to restore the Sacred Forests of Umswai Valley. In this article, Madhurjya Sarma, Senior Manager at GHE, provides insights into the Umswai Valley and the inspiring reforestation efforts taking place there.

Umswai Valley, surrounded by its serene hills and landscape, is a place of many ancient traditions and stories of human cohesion to preserve their natural habitat in the advent of modernism. 

The valley residents, the Tiwa Community, follow a set of their ancient animistic beliefs and traditions which pays respect respects the elements of nature and natural beings while following an age-old cultural system of worshipping. At the core of their belief system, is the sacred forest, a few thousand-year-old sanctuaries on the edge of their valley, where their deities reside protecting the many beings of the forest.

The Sacred Forest: A Sanctuary of Tradition

The Tiwa community of Umswai Valley holds a profound reverence for Balakhongor, the supreme deity of the forest and the creator and preserver of all beings. According to their ancient animistic beliefs, Balakhongor and the forest deities reside in the Sacred Forest, manifesting as hillocks that oversee and protect the surroundings.

To honour these deities and commemorate significant events, the Tiwa people perform various rituals and sacrifices within the forest throughout the year. A notable tradition is the annual erection of monoliths to pay homage to their ancestors, with an impressive 1,030 pairs of monoliths standing tall, symbolizing over a millennium of history. This unwavering dedication to their spiritual heritage underscores the community’s deep-seated reverence for the Sacred Forest, which serves as the cornerstone of their animistic religious practices.

The Sacred Forest is also a sanctuary for endangered flora and fauna. Within this vast forest, no hunting, killing, or harm to any living beings whether animals, birds, insects, plants, or trees is permitted. The Tiwas’ reverence for life extends beyond the Sacred Forest, as they also focus on revitalizing degraded lands in the surrounding areas. Their efforts aim to restore biodiversity and reestablish ecological balance, ensuring the health of the environment for future generations.

However, challenges loom over this revered forest. Encroaching human activities, the impacts of climate change, and traditional slash-and-burn agriculture have led to its gradual degradation.

Tiwa Community: Culture and Livelihoods

The Tiwa people maintain a unique cultural identity characterized by a mix of traditional animistic beliefs and modern influences. They practice bilineal descent and matrilocality, with a chief priest (Loro) overseeing religious and judicial matters. Though many continue to follow animistic traditions, some have embraced Christianity, while still respecting the community’s cultural heritage.

Farming remains the backbone of their economy, with rice, ginger, and vegetables being staple crops. Additionally, handloom weaving, bamboo crafts, and broom-making are important livelihoods, reflecting the community’s skill in creating sustainable, handmade products. Despite economic challenges, the Tiwa people prioritize cultural preservation over material wealth, placing a strong emphasis on rituals and traditions.

The Umswai Valley Reforestation Initiative

In response to the environmental threats facing Umswai Valley, GHE in collaboration with the community and local stakeholders, has launched the Umswai Valley Reforestation Initiative. This ambitious project aims to restore the valley’s ecological balance through community-driven afforestation and sustainable land management. By leveraging the Tiwa community’s deep respect for nature, the initiative seeks to revive sacred forests and establish community food forests, creating individual fruit-bearing plots.

The initiative also addresses the impact of slash-and-burn agriculture and monocropping practices by introducing multi-cropping systems to improve soil quality and water retention. 

In its first phase, the project will plant 30,000 trees of native species across the valley. This initiative holds immense potential for climate mitigation by enhancing carbon sequestration and promoting biodiversity. It also sets the stage for eco-tourism, as restored forest landscapes can attract visitors, generating income for the community.

Empowering the Next Generation

The Umswai Valley Reforestation Initiative goes beyond environmental restoration; it aims to instil a sense of responsibility in the younger generation. Educational programs will teach local youth about the cultural and ecological importance of forests, engaging them in nursery management and tree propagation. This not only fosters a sense of ownership over their natural resources but also provides sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The Initiative is a beacon of hope, blending traditional wisdom with modern conservation practices. By honouring their heritage while embracing sustainable development, the Tiwa community is leading the way towards a more resilient and harmonious future.

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Empowering Communities, Restoring Nature: Planeterra’s Impactful Initiatives

Written by Thomas Armitt – Global Manager, Projects & Partnerships, Planeterra

From the air we breathe to the food we rely on, biodiversity is essential for life on Earth. Moreover, without biodiversity, tourism simply would not exist, and communities around the world would not be able to harness its benefits.

It is no secret that biodiversity is sadly under threat, but we don’t want to dive into that. Instead, we want to take action and play our part, doing what we do best: using tourism to change lives.

Planeterra believes that community tourism can be a powerful tool to help address the climate and biodiversity crisis. So, in today’s blog, we’ll explore three game-changing initiatives that allow us to support the work that communities around the world are doing to protect, restore, and manage their environment. Let’s get into it!

Soa Zara Ranohira, Madagascar

Innovating for Change: Climate & Biodiversity Initiative

Picture this: communities partnering up with tourism enterprises to tackle the impacts of climate change. That’s the essence of Planeterra’s Climate & Biodiversity Initiative.

Through this initiative, we’re not just looking to offset carbon footprints; we want to develop grassroots solutions that make a long-lasting, tangible impact. For this, we’re working hand-in-hand with our community partners to create life-changing experiences that can be woven into the fabric of tourism.

Imagine trekking through lush forests, guided by a community member who intimately understands the land. The aim of these experiences is for travellers to go beyond just being visitors to a place, and instead become participants in something much larger—a movement toward a more positive future for all.

Rooted in Resilience: Tree Growing Initiative

Communities at the forefront of climate change often face its impacts most severely and disproportionately. That’s where Planeterra’s Tree Growing Initiative comes in. Our mission with this initiative is simple yet powerful: “Growing Trees to Uplift Communities.”

We see trees as more than just symbols of biodiversity regeneration; they’re lifelines for communities facing uncertain futures. This is evident through the many benefits of growing trees: healthier ecosystems, food security, water security, and improved defences against soil erosion, flooding, and drought.

At Planeterra, we believe that by planting the right trees in the right places and for the right reasons, we can help communities build sustainable livelihoods, improve their well-being, and become more resilient to the growing impacts of climate change.

It’s a win-win situation that positively impacts both people and the planet. 

We’re immensely proud to say that, to date, we’ve grown over 2 million trees in partnership with G Adventures and Flight Centre, and we collaborate with Reforest to monitor our progress and achievements with this initiative.

Nature-Positive Tourism: Investing in Communities

Nature-positive community tourism is not just about minimizing harm; it’s about actively investing in the well-being of Indigenous communities and the environments they call home.

Through this initiative, Planeterra is working alongside communities to help them integrate a nature-positive approach to the experiences they offer. From protecting animal welfare to reconnecting people with nature, every aspect of these experiences is designed to leave a positive impact.

The goal is to uplift communities and help travellers become stewards of the environment and advocates for social justice, forging meaningful connections and leaving a legacy of positive change.

So, What Can You Do to Get Involved?

As travellers, we hold immense responsibility and our choices matter. Let’s choose our adventures wisely! Opt for trips that prioritize responsible travel and uplifting communities. If you need advice on that, get in touch with Planeterra! We’re happy to support you on your journey to becoming a more responsible traveller.

Also, spread the word about Planeterra’s initiatives and the impact we’re creating and working to amplify. But most importantly, take action in your own life to reduce your impact on nature and guarantee a thriving planet for future generations. 

Remember that the only way to protect and restore biodiversity is by working together and playing our part.

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Navigating the Climate Challenge: Our Commitment to Carbon Footprint Reduction and Biodiversity Restoration

Written by Thomas Armitt – Global Manager, Projects & Partnerships, Planeterra

In an era marked by environmental challenges, responsible organizations are taking the lead in understanding and mitigating their carbon footprint. Planeterra, a community tourism enterprise development organization, stands at the forefront of this movement.

Let’s delve into how Planeterra calculates its carbon footprint, why it’s committed to this initiative, and the importance of understanding and acting upon these metrics.

Plant with Purpose Tanzania

What is Planeterra’s carbon footprint?

Planeterra, in collaboration with eCollective, embarked on a journey to quantify and understand its carbon footprint through a robust methodology aligned with best practices. Following the guidelines set by UN Tourism for carbon footprint calculation, we strategically chose the year 2019 as our baseline, representing our organizational activities post-COVID.

The results are telling: our carbon footprint for 2019 stood at 108,638 kg CO2e, providing a snapshot of our pre-pandemic impact. Fast forward to 2022, and our measured carbon footprint was 43,161 kg CO2e. We have recently finalized measuring our carbon footprint for 2023, and we are pleased to announce that there has been a 25% decrease in our emissions compared to 2022, with a total of 32,235 kg CO2e

This calculation not only serves as a quantitative benchmark but also underscores our commitment to transparency, sustainability, and continuous improvement. Planeterra’s partnership with eCollective empowers us to take informed steps toward reducing our environmental impact and aligning our operations with global sustainability goals.

How are we calculating our carbon footprint?

Planeterra’s comprehensive carbon footprint audit encompasses various facets of its operations. The following areas are scrutinized:

  • Office emissions: Examining the environmental impact of the physical office space.
  • Working from home emissions: Assessing the carbon footprint associated with remote work.
  • Staff business travel: Including accommodation-related emissions.
  • Staff commuting: Gauging the carbon impact of daily travel to and from work.
  • Miscellaneous: Encompassing various factors like accommodation, transport, activities, and food.

What’s not included in the audit are optional extras, investments, website, merchandise, waste, events, brochures & publications.

Why are we doing that?

Alignment with Global Goals: Planeterra is committed to decarbonizing its operations in line with the United Nations’ goal of achieving a net-zero society by 2050.

Climate Emergency Declaration: Signatories to the Glasgow Declaration on Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, Planeterra aims to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. The focus extends beyond carbon reduction to regenerating biodiversity and collaborating with stakeholders for a net-zero tourism industry.

Community-Centric Approach: As a community tourism enterprise development organization, Planeterra recognizes the importance of supporting our community in innovating climate and biodiversity crisis solutions that lead to enhanced adaptability and resilience to the impacts of climate change.

What do we aim to do?

Focus on Key Emission Sources: Prioritizing emissions from working from home and travel-related activities, Planeterra acknowledges the unique nature of its field-based work.

Travel Emission Reduction: Mitigating travel emissions through science-based targets, emphasizing online meetings, and ensuring any necessary travel contributes positively to organizational goals.

Innovative Climate-Biodiversity Initiative: continuing the development of our tree-growing initiative, which emphasizes direct benefits to communities, contributing to resilience, well-being, and biodiversity restoration.

Partnerships for Impact: Collaborating with tourism companies and third-party organizations to finance and scale their Climate-Biodiversity initiatives, exploring financial incentives for communities, such as carbon finance and biodiversity credits.

Continuous Improvement

Planeterra acknowledges the dynamic nature of climate and biodiversity challenges and the significant positive impact that grassroots solutions can provide to the communities we work with. A commitment to continuously reviewing and updating our mitigation strategy ensures the integration of relevant activities into our core operations for the foreseeable future.

In conclusion, Planeterra’s journey toward carbon footprint reduction and biodiversity restoration is not merely a commitment but a tangible, action-oriented initiative. By aligning our operations with global sustainability goals and prioritizing community resilience, Planeterra exemplifies how organizations can be catalysts for positive change in the face of environmental challenges.

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G Adventures, Reforest & Planeterra: Uplifting communities one tree at a time

Recognizing the urgent need to address climate change and biodiversity loss, and in alignment with their commitment to supporting local communities and social enterprises, G Adventures has recently unveiled the “Trees for Days” initiative. Through this innovative program, they will actively contribute to communities by planting, maintaining, sustaining, and safeguarding one tree for every day a traveler spends on tour with them.

The High Atlas Foundation Morocco

The primary objective of Trees for Days is to support organizations dedicated to tree cultivation, with a particular emphasis on enhancing community resilience and well-being in the face of the adverse impacts of climate change and supporting biodiversity conservation efforts.

G Adventures has partnered with Planeterra, who will be responsible for growing and maintaining trees for this new program. To firmly integrate positive environmental impact into their customer offering, G Adventures sought to create a simple, tangible, and personalized customer campaign focused on growing trees as part of a proactive response to the climate-biodiversity crisis.

To find the right solution, G Adventures embarked on an international quest to find environmentally-conscious partners. Ultimately, they discovered an ideal collaborator in Reforest, an Australian-based social enterprise renowned for assisting businesses and events in taking authentic climate and nature-positive actions by planting trees in high-quality, local Reforestation projects. What sets Reforest apart is its unwavering commitment to delivering tangible impact to its partners and their audience.

Reforest’s advanced technology platform enables G Adventures to meticulously track the impact of each reforestation project. This transparency ensures that G Adventures’ commitment to authentic climate action is not just a promise but a tangible reality. Every tree planted, every ounce of CO2 removed, and every bit of habitat restored is meticulously documented, providing travelers with real-time insight into the positive change their actions are bringing about.

G Adventures didn’t stop at simply planting trees; they took an additional step by connecting Reforest with the Planeterra Foundation’s restoration projects. Now, Planeterra collaborates closely with Reforest to monitor the progress and accomplishments of our tree-growing program.

Trees for Days, a more tangible and engaging alternative to traditional flight offsetting, allows every G Adventures customer to actively participate in tree planting to offset the impact of their flights. These trees contribute to fourteen distinct global Planeterra projects, each of which supports environmental restoration while providing benefits to local communities.

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Our Tree Growing Program

Uplifting communities one tree at a time

Planeterra Tree-growing Program

At Planeterra, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on our planet and its people. Our mission with this initiative is simple yet powerful:

“Growing Trees to Uplift Communities”

We firmly believe that by planting the right trees in the right places and for the right reasons, we can help communities build sustainable livelihoods, improve their well-being and become more resilient to the growing impacts of climate change.

Why Trees Matter

Trees are the lungs of our planet, providing us with clean air to breathe. But their importance goes beyond that. Trees play a vital role in restoring our planet, helping us rekindle our relationship with nature and addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues, including climate change, deforestation, and poverty. Here’s how:

Economic Benefits

Tree planting and management create income sources and jobs, especially in rural areas with limited employment opportunities, reducing poverty and elevating living standards.

Job Creation and Income Generation

Planting and growing trees provide local employment opportunities, especially for those skilled in agroforestry, horticulture, and forestry. Additionally, communities can explore income diversification avenues such as selling timber, fruits, nuts, or medicinal plants harvested from their cultivated trees.

Enhanced Environmental Quality

Trees reduce pollution, combat climate change impacts, conserve biodiversity and prevent soil erosion.

Food & Water Security

Trees provide nutrition, especially in food-scarce regions, enhancing the local diet’s quality and diversity through fruit and nut trees. Trees also protect watersheds and enhance water quality by preventing erosion, filtering out pollutants, and providing habitat for animals, resulting in cleaner and healthier water for communities.

Climate Resilience

Growing trees and restoring degraded land build resilient ecosystems, shielding communities from climate change effects like droughts, floods, and soil erosion.

Improved Health

Trees provide clean air, lessen heat and UV radiation effects, and encourage physical activity through recreational opportunities. Additionally, the therapeutic potential and health benefits of medicinal plants can enhance well-being by offering natural remedies for various health conditions, such as pain, inflammation, and immune support.

Increased Resilience

Trees contribute to community resilience against environmental challenges such as droughts, floods, and extreme weather events. They regulate local climates by offering shade, reducing evaporation, and releasing moisture.

Foster connections with nature

Modern society often encourages people to move away from their traditional, nature-centered beliefs and practices, which can diminish the deep-rooted pride that Indigenous communities hold in their connection to the natural world. Supporting communities in tree planting, cultivation, and protection helps rekindle this essential bond with nature, preserving ancestral knowledge and fostering a sense of pride that can be passed down through generations.

Our commitment to make a difference

Our tree-growing program is both inclusive and participatory. Planeterra collaborates directly with organizations representing local communities to ensure their active involvement in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the project. This approach guarantees that the initiative is culturally appropriate, socially acceptable, and sustainable over the long term.

*Planeterra’s tree-growing program is just one component of our Global Climate and Biodiversity Initiative. Click here to learn more.

Growing trees in Partnership with Industry Leaders

We are proud to partner with organizations dedicated to creating a better future for all, such as G Adventures and Flight Center. They have made a commitment to plant trees every time a traveller purchases one of their services. Meanwhile, Planeterra works closely with our tree-growing partners to ensure your trees receive the care and attention needed to thrive in their new environment.

Also, to monitor the progress and achievements of the program, we collaborate with Reforest.

Meet our Tree-growing Partners

Trees for Kenya

An NGO dedicated to reforestation collaborates with communities, Community Forest Associations, and the Kenya Forest Service to identify degraded lands. They assist farmers in planting diverse trees for benefits including fuelwood, timber, nitrogen balance, soil improvement, fruits, fodder, and agroforestry species, actively engaging schools in tree-planting initiatives.

Project: Mount Kenya Landscape Restoration (Kenya).

Tree Adoption Uganda

Through activities like tree planting and agroforestry, this youth-centric NGO is fostering resilience among smallholder farmers against climate change while empowering unemployed young people in rural communities of Uganda. This is achieved through education and training in establishing and managing indigenous tree nurseries and tree farms.

Project: Nakaseke Community Reforestation (Uganda).

Soa Zara 

Soa Zara is an association established in 2016 in Ranohira, located in the Ihorombe region of Madagascar. Its primary objective is to safeguard the environment and advance sustainable development. In addition to biodiversity preservation and reforestation efforts to restore wildlife habitats, the organization offers ecological alternatives to the local population.

Project: Soa Zara Reforestation Project (Madagascar).

Global Forest Generation

GFG’s first initiative, Acción Andina, led by Latin America’s conservation leaders, aims to restore and protect native Polylepis forests in the high Andes, crucial in addressing climate change.

Projects: Acción Serrana: Reforesting Polylepis mountains in Córdoba (Argentina), Restoration of Sierras Grandes de Córdoba (Argentina), Restoring the Biodiversity of the Jujuy Landscape (Argentina), Restoration of Native Vegetation Cover on the Southern Slope of Tunari National Park (Bolivia), Restoration of Polylepis Forests in the Northern slope of Tunari National Park (Bolivia), Ancestral Communities Bringing Back Forests in Vilcanota (Peru), Ancestral communities recover forests in Q’ero (Peru), Reforesting high-Andean cloud forest in Cajamarca (Peru), Reforesting Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve (Peru), Restoration of High Altitude Forests in Ccorca (Peru), Restoration of High Andean Cloud Forests in the Challabamba (Peru), Restoring ancient forests in Aquia (Peru).

The High Atlas Foundation

A Moroccan association and a U.S. nonprofit promote organic agriculture, women’s empowerment, youth development, education, and health in Morocco. They produce fruit trees, benefiting livelihoods and environments while fostering partnerships between people, government, and intercultural groups.

Projects: Maskarat Nursery – El Khair Women’s Cooperative (Morocco), Maskarat, Ras El Qasr Commune (Morocco).

Eden Reforestation Projects

Collaborating closely with communities facing extreme poverty to address the devastating effects of deforestation on natural landscapes, Eden Reforestation Projects has employed thousands of local community members, equipping them with the essential knowledge and tools to plant, nurture, and safeguard millions of trees annually until maturity. Presently, the organization’s initiatives result in planting an impressive 15 million trees each month.

Projects: Mahelmudi, Kalikot District (Nepal), Indrawati, Sindhupalchowk District of Bagmati Province (Nepal), La Tigra Agroforestry, Francisco Morazan (Honduras), Ankilahila 1 Mangrove project, Mahamavo River estuary (Madagascar), Zala Titi Reforestation Project, Quelimane District (Mozambique), Tana Delta Mangrove project, Kilelengwani and Ozi villages (Kenya).

AMBA Estate

An organic farm, guesthouse, and social enterprise nestled in the Uva Highlands of Sri Lanka, their mission is to maximize local employment and incomes while preserving and restoring the natural environment. Collaborating closely with the local community, they produce and export a range of artisanal products. Moreover, they offer guests the opportunity to relax and recharge in one of the most beautiful spots in Sri Lanka, surrounded by 130 acres of mountains, waterfalls, caves, forests, and tea fields.

Project: Ambadandegama Reforestation Initiative (Sri Lanka).

Plant With Purpose

For over 35 years, Plant With Purpose has been empowering local organizations and community leaders to create a localized movement among rural communities focused on reforesting and replenishing watersheds around the world. They have successfully planted more than eight million trees each year, approaching a total of 50 million trees. This movement is continuously growing, with farmers, mothers, fathers, youth, and elders actively reforesting the watersheds in their own communities. As these trees are planted, people come to understand the value of trees for their livelihoods and the local environment.

Projects: Community forestry for human rights (Thailand), Reforestation in the Shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania).

International Collaborative (ICSEE)

ICSEE is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving life in East African communities, particularly the Maasai in Tanzania, through the Maasai Stoves & Solar Project. ICSEE focuses on enhancing rural life and the environment by empowering women and promoting clean cookstoves, local economic development, water, livestock, trees, and solar power.

Project: Mazingira Project (Tanzania).

Restoration Era (ERA)

ERA is dedicated to transforming both livelihoods and the environment. Their mission includes creating sustainable employment opportunities and social enterprises to enhance community well-being. In parallel, ERA focuses on restoring local environments to improve agriculture, water access, and biodiversity. They understand that achieving lasting environmental change starts with addressing the needs of the communities they serve.

Project(s): Blue Amazon Restoration Project (Brazil), Guatemala Mountains to Mangrove Restoration Project (Guatemala).

Veritree / Sea Forests

Veritree connects businesses with verified tree-planting projects to help restore our planet. Their mission is to create local jobs, sequester carbon, and restore ecosystems. By harnessing the power of businesses and individuals, Veritree aims to collectively drive planetary restoration. They serve as a catalyst for change, guiding the transition from an extractive to a restorative economy.

Project: Pacific Coast Kelp Restoration (Canada).

GHE

GHE engages travellers and businesses in building resilient communities through sustainable development and climate-positive travel. GHE pioneers the use of sustainable tourism and technology to create a significant impact on rural communities. Their projects target clean energy, health, education, livelihood, and afforestation, driving positive change across multiple sectors.

Project: Umswai Valley Reforestation Initiative (India).

Tribes & Defenders of Nature

Tribes and Nature Defenders, a non-profit led by Indigenous people in the Philippines, was established by the Tribal Council of Elders. The organization addresses issues such as protecting sacred forests, ensuring food security, and resisting capitalist encroachment. Led by a tribal board and community workers, they focus on development projects that tackle poverty, health, education, livelihoods, and environmental and cultural preservation.

Project: Planting Native Trees: Restore Ancestral Landscape, Retain Culture and Wildlife (Philippines).

Sunder Rang

Sunder Rang supports the women of Chandelao by enhancing their skills and income through education and broader exposure. Their plantation drive focuses on native trees and shrubs suited to Rajasthan’s arid environment, aiming to restore ecosystems and increase carbon storage.

Project: Growing trees, supporting the community of Chandelao (India).

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