Africa has the world's second largest tropical forest, the Congo Basin rainforest, and is home to 17 percent of the planet's forest cover. Unfortunately, Africa is threatened by deforestation at four times the global rate, which not only puts the livelihoods of local communities at risk, but also impacts the planet as a whole.

The African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR) aims to restore 100 million hectares (AFR100) of deforested land in Africa by 2030. However, it's not just about reforestation. The project will also create jobs to reduce poverty in local communities. For example, fruit trees are planted, which helps feed impoverished families. 

In addition, the aim is to join forces to improve resilience to climate change and mitigate climate change. Indeed, planting trees helps to minimize the impact of, for example, increasingly violent storms. During the month of December, NIKIN is funding one tree per product sold as part of AFR100. Our trees will move into their new habitat in the Burundi area.

The Polylepis forests in South America are a vital part of the Andean and Amazonian water and ecosystems. The Acción Andina initiative aims to protect and reforest these forests. The area covers one million hectares of land in the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. The project thus contributes to combating climate change, increasing land and food security, and protecting endangered species. The initiative also benefits the indigenous population. They are heavily dependent on the forests, which are their livelihood. Another goal is to protect the forest at the community and government level and to confront parties that are pushing for the deforestation of the Polylepis forests.

As promised, we also plant a tree for each co-owner of NIKIN - in Denmark.

This project will establish multifunctional forests on marginal farmland in West Jutland, which will be permanently protected by the Danish Forest Act. The forests increase carbon uptake, protect groundwater and store nitrogen, which reduces eutrophication - the accumulation of nutrients - of wetlands in the area.

It also promotes biodiversity by creating a protected area for the endangered dormouse and habitat for birds and insects.

The local population benefits from numerous recreational opportunities offered by the forest area, as well as from the "School in the Forest" initiative, which is an important educational element.

This project in Australia focuses on bushfire relief and reforestation of burned forests. The project is divided into many smaller initiatives, which are spread all over Australia. In total, up to one million new trees are to be planted, both on private and public land. The livelihood of animals, the establishment of tree nurseries as well as the general support of the affected communities are the main focus of the project. Particularly endangered species such as the koala and brown-headed kakdu are already prioritized in the planning of new habitat. The communities are also to be empowered to carry out future reforestation on their own.

This project in Australia focuses on bushfire relief and reforestation of burned forests. The project is divided into many smaller initiatives, which are spread all over Australia. In total, up to one million new trees are to be planted, both on private and public land. The livelihood of animals, the establishment of tree nurseries as well as the general support of the affected communities are the main focus of the project. Particularly endangered species such as the koala and brown-headed kakdu are already prioritized in the planning of new habitat. The communities are also to be empowered to carry out future reforestation on their own.

Our partner One Tree Planted is working with Project Platypus in Australia to re-vegetate the largely cleared landscape between the Grampians National Park and the Pyrenees. Due to extensive agriculture, the two areas mentioned are no longer connected by natural forests. Connecting the two areas through newly planted trees will restore the natural flow of species and genetic material in western Victoria. The trees will be planted mainly by local volunteers and in collaboration with local landowners. The goal is to provide a healthy habitat for all species as well as educate the community on why revegetation is so important to the sustainability of the agricultural landscape.

In the southwest of Western Australia is one of the biggest hotspots for biodiversity. Nowhere else in the world have so many different plant species within one region as here. In addition, many of these species date back to prehistoric times, as there have been no glaciers in this region for 250 million years and thus the survival of the species is uninterrupted.

However, parts of the area have been cleared for large-scale agriculture in recent decades. Now, new seedlings are to be planted both mechanically and by hand. This is intended to reconnect the different vegetation areas, promote animal circulation in the area and also preserve biodiversity.

Both the local inhabitants and the indigenous people (called Noongar) are involved in the project. The initiative is part of a larger effort, which is also supported by the UN.

Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow in saltwater ecosystems of tropical and subtropical coastal areas. They form an important ecological niche, acting as a transition between sea and land and providing habitat for many animals and plants. Mangrove forests play a critical role in protecting coastlines from erosion, tsunamis, and storms. They also serve as carbon sinks, storing large amounts of carbon in their biomass. 

In the southwestern part of Bangladesh lies the largest mangrove forest in the world, the Sundarbans. Due to climate change, the mangrove ecosystems are highly endangered. To counteract this, we are actively implementing mangrove planting with our partner One Tree Planted, the organization BEDS and coastal communities. The project will protect coastal communities from natural disasters and increase mangrove coverage. 

This means that we will plant mangroves in the coastal belt to strengthen the dike and create new livelihoods for coastal residents. The project follows the nine steps for Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) to create long-term benefits for local communities. Our tree planting project in May provides an opportunity to preserve the largest mangrove ecosystem in the world. 

On May 1, 2023 we will release our first major shoe collection in collaboration with Ochsner Shoes. With the purchase of NIKIN shoes you support the tree planting project of My Forest Armenia. Due to the intensive grazing in the Lori region, north of the Bazum Mountains, the tree population has been extremely reduced in recent years. Now, on the one hand, non-forested areas are to be reforested and, on the other hand, weakly forested areas are to be supported in their natural regeneration processes.  

The work is done manually, as the slope is too steep for machines. The goal is to create permanent forests with a high seedling survival rate. Through the project, we also create jobs for local people, which supports the local economy and raises awareness among local people.  

This project in Bhutan focuses on planting valuable fruit trees. More than 100,000 of them are to be planted mainly in the eastern and central regions of Bhutan. These parts of the country, with a population of about 771,000, are increasingly home to the poorer sections of the population. The focus of the project is to reforest these regions and make the land usable. This should increase the agricultural productivity of the land and relieve the pressure on existing forests. It can also promote clean drinking water and food security.

The following types of trees are planted: mango, avocado, apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry, hazelnut, walnut and chestnut trees. Each of the trees has a total of 7.5 metres by 7.5 metres to itself. In the end, there will be a total of 187 trees on one hectare of land.

Your tree was planted for a special project of BOS Switzerland. Since the foundation of BOS Switzerland in 2004, the association has been committed to the protection of the last Bornean orangutans and the preservation of their habitat. With your tree you support the One-Tree-One-Life-Campaign 2021, which enables the reforestation of the rainforests in Indonesia, which is important for the world climate.

With an annual deforestation of 1.3 million hectares of Indonesian rainforest, the region has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. The project counteracts this high rate and secures important habitat for orangutans and other endangered species. BOS Switzerland runs the project together with volunteers and staff. The aim is also not "just" to reforest, but to protect existing forest areas in the long term.

The Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor starts at the source of the Araguaia River in Emas National Park and goes over 2600km to Belem in northern Brazil, where the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The project for the corridor has a clear goal: to plant as many indigenous trees as possible. Out of 10.4 million hectares of land, 2 million hectares are to be reforested and 2.4 trillion trees planted. The area includes two of the largest ecosystems in the world: the Amazon rainforest and the Cerrado savannas.

NIKIN's partner One Tree Planted is involved in the huge project, which incidentally supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (https://sdgs.un.org/goals), with two tree nurseries. To guarantee a sustainable implementation, the project takes place in cooperation with private local landowners.

In 2017, large areas around the town of Williams Lake in western Canada in the province of British Columbia were victims of the Hancewille wildfires. NIKIN's partner One Tree Planted is involved in both the Elephant Hill Fire Restoration and the Hanceville Fire Restoration. In total, over 100,000 trees have been planted. The area of the reforestation is partly part of the indigenous people's land. Therefore, the Yunesit'in First Nation (http://www.yunesitin.ca/) are heavily involved in the project. Not only in the reforestation on site, but also in issues such as land management. The project initiators also hope that the reforestation will counteract climate change and thus provide the region with more habitat for wildlife again.

The Hanceville forest fires of 2017 destroyed about 240,000 hectares of land. Part of this area will be able to regenerate itself. However, land on which Douglas fir forests stood before the fire will be additionally reforested.

This reforestation in British Columbia focuses on areas of old-growth forest that were destroyed by the Plateau Fire in 2017. These old-growth forests, known as OGMAs, are natural forests with no forestry. The 2017 Plateau Fire was the largest wildfire in British Columbia's history, burning 545,151 hectares of forest.

One Tree Planted, together with the regional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Committee, has defined zones where the project will support the natural rehabilitation of the forest with afforestation. This is particularly important as the region's spruce and Douglas fir forests depend on living tree seeds for reproduction.

Without the additional aid, the natural regeneration of the forest would take up to 40 years. Both fauna and local indigenous community and farmers benefit from the project.

This reforestation in British Columbia focuses on areas of old-growth forest that were destroyed by the Plateau Fire in 2017. These old-growth forests, known as OGMAs, are natural forests with no forestry. The 2017 Plateau Fire was the largest wildfire in British Columbia's history, burning 545,151 hectares of forest.

One Tree Planted, together with the regional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Committee, has defined zones where the project will support the natural rehabilitation of the forest with afforestation. This is particularly important as the region's spruce and Douglas fir forests depend on living tree seeds for reproduction.

Without the additional aid, the natural regeneration of the forest would take up to 40 years. Both fauna and local indigenous community and farmers benefit from the project.

This reforestation in British Columbia focuses on areas of old-growth forest that were destroyed by the Plateau Fire in 2017. These old-growth forests, known as OGMAs, are natural forests with no forestry. The 2017 Plateau Fire was the largest wildfire in British Columbia's history, burning 545,151 hectares of forest.

One Tree Planted, together with the regional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Committee, has defined zones where the project will support the natural rehabilitation of the forest with afforestation. This is particularly important as the region's spruce and Douglas fir forests depend on living tree seeds for reproduction.

Without the additional aid, the natural regeneration of the forest would take up to 40 years. Both fauna and local indigenous community and farmers benefit from the project.

Yunesit'in is an aboriginal reserve in the Chilcotin Region of British Columbia in Canada. The area is repeatedly exposed to forest fires. This was also the case in 2017, when a large part of the forests, which also served as fire protection for the local inhabitants, was destroyed. Now, 107,480 aspen trees are to be planted to reforest the region. The new forest is also supposed to be more climate-resistant than its predecessor.

In addition to providing protection from forest fires, the trees will also enhance the reserve's biodiversity, improve habitat for resident wildlife and help recycle CO2. One Tree Plantet organises the project with the Yunesit'in government, the Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training Employment Centre (CCATEC), the BC Wildfire Service and the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Mostly local volunteers are trained for the planting.

Discover our new tree planting project in British Columbia! After the devastating Plateau Fire of 2017, this month we will ensure that new seedlings thrive on the deforested areas. 

The tree planting project in British Columbia aims to restore forest biodiversity that was severely impacted by the 2017 wildfire by planting annual seedlings. 

The plantings are supported by local communities and, thanks to newly created habitats, are of great importance for both wildlife and the local economy. 

The tree plantations create jobs for the local people, and the project provides a sustainable and long-term income, as it requires regular monitoring and maintenance work in the coming years. In addition, the local population is motivated to take care of nature and sensitized to the issue of environmental protection. 

Our tree planting partner, One Tree Planted, has produced a documentary that takes a closer look at reforestation in British Columbia, "Keep Cool: Fortifying British Columbia." You can find the trailer here: Keep Cool: Fortifying British Columbia - Official Trailer | One Tree Planted

Choco in Colombia has one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Over 8000 plant species and 600 bird species are found in the region. In the 2000s, 60% of the forests were lost due to deforestation and mining activities. The project in Colombia aims to reforest 100 hectares of land, create new habitat for wildlife, and improve water, land and air quality. In the future, the forests will filter 15,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. In addition to local trees, fruit trees and plants for medicine will also be planted. The poor sections of the population are to benefit directly from these. 50 women will be trained as independent entrepreneurs to sell the fruits and plants on the local markets.

In April 2023, NIKIN is supporting the Colorado project with 9,000 trees to advance the regeneration of the Rio Grande National Forest. 

In the mid-2000s, the Rio Grande National Forest was attacked by the spruce bark beetle, which killed more than 98 percent of the forest's Engelmann spruce. Fueled by prolonged droughts, the effects on the ecosystem were catastrophic and many wildlife species, such as the Canada lynx, lost their habitat.

In addition, in 2013, an area of approximately 79,615 acres in the Rio Grande National Forest was the victim of a wildfire. This was the largest fire in the history of the high elevation Spruce Fir forests in Colorado. 

To accelerate regeneration, a total of 55,500 trees will be planted in Mineral County of the Rocky Mountain in 2023, 9,000 of which will be funded by NIKIN. 

This is to protect the area from flooding and bring back habitats for wildlife and plants. 

In this project, multifunctional forests are established on marginal farmland on the West Jutland peninsula. The new forest areas are permanently protected by the Danish Forest Act. The new forests will increase carbon uptake in the area and protect groundwater. Likewise, reforestation can retain nitrogen to reduce nutrient enrichment of wetlands in the region. Species protection is provided by creating a sanctuary for the endangered dormouse. next afforestation allows more habitat for many bird and insect species. Local residents are expected to benefit from the project through the many recreational opportunities as well as the "School in the Forest" initiative, which will be an essential educational element.

The goal of this project is to revitalize deforested land in the Dominican Republic where, with our partner One Tree Planted, we aim to help plant and care for 1,275,000 trees.

Within the framework of the holistic "Plant With Purpose" approach, the restoration of the forest also aims to achieve sociological improvements. For example, many local farmers are to be involved in the project in order to raise awareness for the environment. As poverty decreases, competition for resources (such as land and fuel) diminishes, and communities come together in peace and reconciliation to improve and preserve the environment in their watersheds.

Reforestation through agroforestry is critical to restoring ecosystems, improving livelihoods, and promoting environmental stewardship. In the Dominican Republic, three different types of plots are used for reforestation: Forestry, Agroforestry for shade coffee, and Agroforestry for multi-story cacao. Farmers* choose which concept to apply on their land depending on the ecosystem and market demand. The seedlings are raised in nurseries located on the farmers' plots.

The local team has developed a three-pillar approach to restoration that leads to ecological regeneration, economic empowerment and spiritual renewal. This enables farmers to live and work in a way that protects their land as a byproduct of their values, rather than being imposed from above.

The key is that caring for the environment and the well-being of the community becomes an integral value for Plant With Purpose participants and their networks. For example, the program teaches the following tree care and maintenance techniques: tree seed collection and treatment, nursery establishment and management, tree planting techniques, grafting, pruning, and more. Tree species and locations are selected by community members and small farmers based on their needs and preferences. As a result, the farmers are highly motivated to think long-term and care for the trees over time.

This project is the first large-scale climate forest ever planted in Germany. It is to be created around 40 kilometers from Cologne in North Rhine-Westphalia. More than 20 different tree species that are particularly climate-resistant are to be planted for the Life Terra climate forest. The trees come from Spain and local German tree nurseries. Each tree will be individually located and recorded on a map. Visitors will have access to detailed information as well as to the financial backers. A tour for interested people will also be created. The project will be realized in cooperation with Life Terra (https://lifeterra.eu/de/about-the-project/). Two tree planting events with the local population are planned for 2021.

The "Dragon's Nest" is a farm property with 170 hectares of former farmland that is now to be reforested. The main goals are carbon sequestration, also called carbon capture, and soil conservation. The reforestation will consist of different tree species and promote biodiversity. Thus, the forest will be home to fungi, soil organisms, birds and other animal species. The planned vegetation will also be able to better distribute fresh water, benefiting insects, crustaceans, and fish. Gaps will be left in the reforestation to allow enough light for soil plants as well. In the longer term future, there is the possibility to establish a timber production. Other jobs such as tree planting will be given to local workers. The local population from the village of Breiðdalsvík can freely enter the area.

In this tree planting project, 60,000 trees are planted near the village of Skagaströnd in Iceland. The area on Seer Hill of around 115 hectares of land was previously cleared. Already, Alaskan lupines (which are native legumes) have established themselves on the area. This definitely has ecological advantages for the soil, but this plant species can also spread too much.

Now the trees are to increase the biodiversity of the region and protect against soil erosion. In the future, the mature trees will also provide protection for the village from snow gusts. When choosing the trees, the project management restricted itself to native trees that can withstand the seasons well. Once they are fully grown and offer sufficient protection, other weather-sensitive tree species can be added.

In this project, 900,000 fruit trees have been planted in India since 2020. More specifically, in the areas of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and West Bengal. In addition, 100,000 mangrove seedlings will be scattered in the Sundarbans. The aim is to support local smallholders and provide them with a secure livelihood. Within three years from the start of the project, a tree generates an average of $10 more per year for a family. While this may not sound like much by Western standards, this additional income does a lot for families in India. While the smallholders thus have more food security and income, the fruit trees also absorb up to 2500 tons of CO2 from the air, conserve water and protect against soil erosion.

One Tree Planted has been planting fruit trees in India with local partners for 5 years. More than 1.5 million trees have already been planted, contributing to an additional income for marginalised farmers and facilitating access to food in inhospitable areas. True to the motto "Fruit trees change lives".

In 2021, two more nurseries will be added and another 1.5 million fruit trees will be planted. The tree nurseries will be built in the local communities and create new jobs there. For the new jobs, marginalised groups of people such as widows and older women will be given priority. In this way, the UN Sustainable Development Goals such as gender equality can be promoted and achieved.

Our current tree planting project supports marginalized Indian communities in the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal that are facing acute famine. Under this project, around 2.5 million fruit trees will be planted for smallholder farmers, which will help create sustainable livelihoods and provide nutritious food to local families and communities. It will also improve incomes while combating pollution, conserving water and minimizing soil erosion.

Our tree planting partner One Tree Planted and their local partners have already planted over 3.5 million fruit trees across India since 2017. In addition, local nurseries have been established with One Tree Planted's help since 2021. Local nurseries have the advantage of reducing the transportation of seedlings and improving the quality of seedlings as they are adapted to local conditions. These nurseries employ local labor, which brings additional social benefits to the communities. This is because in three years after planting, each fruit tree will contribute to additional income and nutrition of an average of US$10 per tree per year, leading to a significant reduction in hunger, malnutrition and poverty in the villages and communities where these trees are planted.

In five zones spread over 3 provinces, trees are planted in this project in Indonesia. The provinces are West Java, Banten and Lampung. The initiative is intended to counteract the damage caused by deforestation and unsustainable agriculture. The reason for the deforestation is the increased global coffee consumption, which also leads to more coffee plantations in a large coffee producer like Indonesia.

In cooperation with Rainforest Alliance, environmentally conscious agriculture is to be established. At the heart of this are trees that provide sufficient shade and thus promote biodiversity. next the trees enable the coffee plant to thrive better. The farmers also benefit from this, as their yields increase and their income is boosted. A total of 500,000 tree seedlings are planted.

This initiative is about both reforestation and sustainable forestry. The latter aims to show local farmers that more income can be generated through sustainable care of the trees and the land. This creates not only an ecological added value but also a financial one for the population.

For the reforestation, the organisers of the project plan to use different tree and plant species to grow a forest that is as natural and self-protecting as possible. 20,000 seedlings are to be planted, 73% of which are normal trees and 28% fruit trees. The fruit trees will benefit the local fauna, as they often find too little food during the hot season.

Afforestation is also intended to enhance the land, maintain water quality, reduce natural disasters (forest fires, floods) and promote biodiversity.

Ireland has the lowest forest cover of all European countries, with a forest cover of only 11%. As part of the Ireland 2023 - Nationwide Community Tree Cover project, the aim is to increase the forest cover and plant 200,000 trees in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This will involve planting native tree species from certified Irish seed, creating diverse habitats and also supporting biodiversity.  

Particular focus is placed on involving local communities in the process of tree planting and care. This is intended to create more understanding and knowledge around the issue. The tree planting project also offers ecological benefits such as soil protection, water quality improvement, flood protection and air purification. 

Together with our partner One Tree Planted, we are planning the restoration of a forest in cooperation with the Vilnius municipality. Around 100 children from surrounding schools and kindergartens will be involved in this project. As a first step, they will learn more about the importance of forests and the consequences of climate change in child-friendly training sessions. 

In the second step, they receive seedlings and actively help with planting. Part of the children's task is to visit "their" trees regularly in the future. The planted trees will enrich the landscape, neutralize CO2, clean the air and reduce the effects of global warming. The planted area of the "Vilnius Forest of Children" project is monitored to ensure the best possible growth of the trees. In addition, recurring lessons for school children are planned.

The goal is clear: 60 hectares of fallow land are to be reforested in Palizada, Mexico. This is equivalent to about two thirds of the city of Zurich. The area borders two reserves: Laguna de Terminos and Pantanos de Centla, which will one day be connected by the reforestation. All seedlings (1'100 per hectare) are grown in local tree nurseries. No chemicals are used. next each seedling is protected with a used PET bottle to avoid unnecessary waste.

Threatened animal species such as the jaguar, the spider monkey or the crocodile live in the region. The new forest should provide them with more protected habitat. In addition, 50 local families are currently employed for the project. Most of them have permanent jobs and wages above the local average. 

"Tree by Tree" - this is our promise as well as the way we make a difference with NIKIN. Together with One Tree Planted and our community, we are committed to various tree planting projects. In March 2023, we will support the Nevado de Toluca area in Mexico. 

The project involves planting one million trees in the Nevado de Toluca area of Mexico, covering an area of 1,000 hectares at a density of 1,000 trees per hectare. Native tree species will be grown in local nurseries until they are strong enough for planting. The latter will be done by local people, who will be financially compensated for planting the trees.  

Modern reforestation methods will be used for seeding, which will reduce erosion, create habitats for wildlife, and reduce damage from potential forest fires. The project aims to achieve 80% tree survival and ultimately increase ecosystem resilience and improve soil and air quality. 

By involving the local population, the project also aims to provide economic support for the local community. Last but not least, the reforestation aims to restore access to water, as the loss of forest cover affects the retention of water that feeds the region.  

Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia and is known for its rich culture and history. Here, NIKIN is working with our partner One Tree Planted to restore 200 hectares of former mangrove areas. Areas once damaged by salt exposure are to be revitalized - strengthened by innovative methods such as the "seedling" technique and sustainable "Regeneration Improvement Felling". 

Methodology and community integration 

Not only the ecosystem will be revitalized step by step. The community is also to be strongly involved in the project. At the same time, the project aims to promote biodiversity, improve water quality and create new job opportunities for local families. An integrative approach that focuses on both the environment and the community. 

The WWF classifies the Acadian Forest in Canada as "critically endagered". This is the highest threat level that categorizes the extinction of a forest. The Arcadian Forest is considered an ideal forest to store CO2 and is less susceptible to Canadian wildfires due to its humid climate. Adjacent to this ecosystem is the Whaelghinbran Forest, which is part of the UNESCO Fundy Biosphere Reserve. The reforestation of the two forests has two different objectives: on the one hand, the Acadian Forest as well as the animals and plants living there shall be protected and strengthened for climate change. On the other hand, the project initiators want to use the Whaelghinbran Forest for educational purposes. Thus, the forest is integrated into the forestry education of the University of New Brunswick and the Maritime College of Forest Technology as well as other schools.

The goal of this initiative in New Zealand is the large-scale restoration of native forests. This should lead to less soil erosion, better fresh water quality and more biodiversity. Waingake has great value for the region's natural heritage and for the water supply of Gisborn City (https://www.gdc.govt.nz/council/major-projects/waingake-restoration). The newly reforested area will be annexed to an existing reserve, the Waingake Waterworks Bush, thus doubling its size. The project will be carried out in cooperation with the Maori people and in accordance with their values and ways of life such as Mauri (life principle) and Te Mauri o te Ngāhere (improved forest life principle). next the use of the area will be expanded. For example, eco-tourism, honey production and plant medicine will be established in Waingake.

Endangered Southern Resident Orca make their home in the Pacific Ocean, swimming back and forth between northern California and the coasts of British Columbia in Canada as the seasons change. The orcas rely on local salmon for food. They get 80% of their nutritional needs from the fish. Reforestation of trees along the ocean as well as inland rivers and waters is intended to make the salmon habitat more attractive again and thus also improve the situation for the orcas. The orcas are the landmark of the region and have a great value for the First Nation living there.

Endangered Southern Resident Orca make their home in the Pacific Ocean, swimming back and forth between northern California and the coasts of British Columbia in Canada as the seasons change. The orcas rely on local salmon for food. They get 80% of their nutritional needs from the fish. Reforestation of trees along the ocean as well as inland rivers and waters is intended to make the salmon habitat more attractive again and thus also improve the situation for the orcas. The orcas are the landmark of the region and have a great value for the First Nation living there.

In August 2023, NIKIN is supporting a large-scale reforestation project in Panama. The aim is to restore a stretch of land that has been degraded by overly dense cattle ranching. We are working with local communities to plant mixed forests of native tree species here, manage them and monitor them over the coming years. Through this project, we are creating long-term employment opportunities for local people and improving their livelihoods. 

Power of the community  

The project not only helps to protect Panama's valuable biodiversity. The project also works closely with the Panamanian prison service to give inmates the opportunity to perform community service during their final year in prison. Through this initiative, we support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieve a positive impact on the environment as well as the local community. 

Peru is the third largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina. Nature is very diverse and varied - but highly endangered. With our current tree planting project we support the forest areas of the province Puerto Inca. The project aims to restore the soils and forest by planting them partly with long-lived crops and partly with native cacao.

Our partner One Tree Planted will constantly document and evaluate the development and growth. For this purpose, so-called Permanent Monitoring Plots will be established two months after planting to monitor the survival of the plants and to replace dead plants.

The reforestation will allow the restoration of 120 hectares of forest deforested by shifting cultivation and livestock. In the primary forests of the area there are about 500 species of trees and 15 species of palms, including about 40 different valuable woods. As for wildlife, there are over 600 vertebrate species in the area whose habitat is currently threatened.

Our tree planting project also benefits the community. By employing 2,600 workers throughout the project, from seedling production to planting in the final field, the community's economy is boosted. Capacity is strengthened through training workshops involving women and young people. Furthermore, from the third year onwards, cocoa cultivation allows for a permanent source of income.

The Indigenous Bamboo Reforestation project takes place in the Philippines, more precisely in the province of Bukidnon. There are a total of seven locations where 200,000 trees are to be planted. Bukidnon is located on the island of Mindanano. The reason for the reforestation is years of legal but also illegal logging in the region. Logging has been completely banned on Mindanano Island for five years. The cleared land belongs to mostly indigenous people who are already marginalised for other reasons. Only Bambusa, a subspecies of bamboo, is planted so that the indigenous plants and still existing trees are not displaced.  

Since bamboo grows very quickly, it should also be possible to use it for other purposes. The indigenous population groups receive secure jobs through the planting, but also the processing of the bamboo. Another advantage is that it is easier for women to find work. While traditional logging is physically very strenuous and employs a lot of men, it is easier for women to participate in the bamboo economy and they are particularly favoured for growing the young trees.

Our current tree planting project is being implemented in the former vast pine forest of Leiria in Portugal. This region was originally purposefully forested with pines in the 13th century to stop the decay of the dunes in order to protect the city of Leiria and the surrounding agricultural land from the intrusion of windblown sand from these dunes.

The forest is now classified as a public protected area and is an important source of wood obtained in a sustainable production system, but also a recreational area for the population and a popular area for tourism. Unfortunately, in 2017 almost the entire forest burned down in just 24 hours, so that today only a few hectares of forest remain intact.

The forest, which is so important, is now to be restored in a large-scale project in which we are participating. Although soil fertility in this region is low due to climate change, among other factors, there is an opportunity to restore this fertility and improve the local water cycle by planting native and fire-resistant plants, thus promoting the natural spread of vegetation to protect the soils in the area. Under these circumstances, this project aims to restore as much of the forest and landscape as possible. In this way, the project supports the restoration of biodiversity, which in turn supports the restoration of local ecosystem services, as well as ecosystem resilience and adaptation to climate change. The team of tree planting experts on behalf of our tree planting partner One Tree Planted relies on local funding and support for the project, so not only is nature being helped, but also the community and economy of the city of Leiria.

The Free Trees for Portugal project is spread throughout the country. There are currently 30 sites where trees are planted and forests reforested. Many Portuguese regions are repeated victims of fires. The reason for this is the destruction of the ecosystem and the planting of alien vegetation species that do not react equally to the local climate. 

By reforesting the forests, establishing and revitalising native forests and strengthening the local community to start and implement these processes on their own, Portuguese forests are to be rebalanced and the number of fires reduced. Local people also benefit greatly from reforestation, as their quality of life suffers from the fires. 

The emergence of native forests is a long-term process. In this process, the project managers take into account many different points such as: Condition of the soils, type of water, biodiversity, the nature of the landscape, the needs of local residents and other important parties, and archaeology. 

This project is being implemented in the Romanian Făgăraș Mountains. The mountain range is part of the Carpathians. Between 2005 and 2015, large areas of forests were felled there and not reforested. Deforestation with subsequent reforestation has already taken place in the region in the past. However, spruce trees were always used, which are not the original tree species of the region. One Tree Planted has therefore closely researched sections of original Carpathian forests in order to copy them on the fallow land. The issue of climate change has also been taken into account, so that the new forests can last for decades.

The seeds come from One Tree Planted's own nurseries. If there are not enough, external seeds can be purchased. All work in the nursery or in planting the seeds is outsourced to the local population, especially to disadvantaged groups such as the Roma.

The aim of this project is to plant 120,000 trees in three communities consisting of small coffee farmers. Two types of trees are planted in Rwanda. One is coffee trees and the other is shade trees. This approach allows the coffee trees to be protected from the sun and increases crop yields. It also prevents soil erosion and provides the soil with more nutrients.

The project also supports the local communities and their economy. Together with the organisation Kula (https://www.kulaproject.org/), local farmers are equipped with knowledge about the coffee industry, agronomy and asset management. The goal is the independence and self-reliance of the farmers. Newly planted coffee trees can generate a stable income for up to 30 years.

Over 60,000 trees are to be planted on 1832 hectares of land in Scotland. The Talla & Gameshope areas in the south of Scotland have long been used for sheep farming. As a result, large parts of the natural vegetation have been destroyed. Now the Borders Forest Trust (https://bordersforesttrust.org/) wants to reforest the region. The population supports the project. Over 1000 volunteers from the region have already planted trees. The goal is for up to 11,000 of the more than 60,000 trees to be planted by volunteers. Animals and rare plant species also benefit from reforestation. In the future, the forest should maintain and expand itself. In addition, a large amount of the drinking water for the nearby city of Edinburgh comes from the Talla & Gameshop area. The new forests will ensure that this remains pure and clean.

The Free Trees for Scotland initiative is a new project to re-green Scotland. Together with our project partner One Tree Planted, we want to show that reforestation can be done in a holistic way: namely in environmental, social and financial terms.

The Free Trees for Scotland initiative aims to restore those parts of Scotland's beautiful green space that have been damaged by forest fires and desertification. Our goal is to reestablish native flora, thereby restoring the water table and preventing further soil erosion. We also want to inspire local people to engage with their environment and provide them with access to this important issue through this project.

The focus is on smallholders who want to have a positive impact on their environment but lack the (financial) means to do so. The Free Trees for Scotland initiative consists of more than thirty projects across Scotland. They all form a diverse network of people coming together to regenerate their homeland and also strengthen connections with each other.

Re-greening the planet is essential and we see the creation of native, multi-layered forests as an important solution. The goal in Scotland and around the world should be to introduce regenerative forestry systems that improve the productivity of the land, creating a patchwork of habitats everywhere on earth. With Free Trees for Scotland, we are getting closer to #treebytree.

South African farmers in the Western Cape are increasingly experiencing problems with very strong winds that reach up to 160 kilometres per hour. To provide shelter from these storms, forests are the most sustainable and affordable option. Therefore, the initiators of this project want to plant indigenous trees as well as complementary shrubs. The focus is on species that bring additional added value, such as fruit trees or plants that can be used for the production of medicine.

The new trees will be planted in wetlands that belong to the Cape Flats Dune Strand region. The region is very sensitive and has partially lost fertility. The project will not only support the local farmers, but also increase the amount of fresh water and help the animals living there.

The project is run by the local community and is based on the needs of the regional farmers.