Why Forests Matter
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Forests in Africa Are in Need of Restoration
Forest restoration is crucial in Africa, where rich biodiversity and vital ecosystem services are under threat from unsustainable land use practices and the spread of invasive alien vegetation. Forests support the livelihoods of millions across the continent, and preserving the habitats of countless unique species.
However, unsustainable agricultural expansion, the mismanagement of alien vegetation, logging, and charcoal production have significantly reduced forest cover, compromising the ability of these ecosystems to sequester carbon, stabilise soils, and regulate water supplies.
Restoring degraded forests in Africa is vital to enhance ecosystem resilience, support livelihoods, and mitigate climate change.
"We're going beyond trees. Tree planting should be seen as a means to an end, rather than an end in itself."
A Letter From Our Director, Misha Teasdale
“Hi, this is Misha Teasdale from Greenpop. For the past 14 years, I have been working with inspiring individuals, experts, and companies to join hands to restore ecosystems. Restoring ecosystems and planting trees is a powerful action we can take to support biodiversity, and improve our communities. Trees have a host of benefits both for nature and people. But it’s not just about planting any tree, anywhere, at any time. The key to successful tree planting is understanding the local environment and recognising a tree’s potential for greater ecosystem health.”
Restoration Doesn’t Just Mean Tree Planting
- alien vegetation management
- wildfire prevention
- and the creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Your contribution supports a comprehensive approach to ecosystem restoration that goes beyond tree planting, to foster long-term environmental and social benefits.
At Greenpop, Trees Are Not “Just Trees”
How We Work
Greenpop focuses on long-term, hands-on relationships to support the protection and restoration of indigenous systems. We don’t use “seed bombs”, plantation forestry, drone planting, or invasive species.
We prioritise sound ecological principles to work towards habitat restoration, working closely with local communities and forest users.
This means that our progress may be slower than other tree-planting projects, but our impact is more sustainable.
Our Activities
Alien Vegetation Management
Reducing fire risk and increasing water provisioning
Forest By Law Development
Reducing the risk of unsustainable forest use
Natural Resource Management
Increasing sustainable management of rivers, soils, and forests
Climate Change Adaptation
Increasing resilience to extreme weather and climatic shifts
Alternative Livelihoods
Increasing income from non-timber forest products
Community Nurseries
Providing income and project ownership to communities
Our Implementation Partners
Our Forest Restoration Projects are designed in collaboration with and implemented by on-the-ground partner organisations. We seek partnerships with passionate and effective, local, small-scale organisations.
This model facilitates capacity building for small scale organisations, it fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing, and improves the success rate of our projects.
Through the use of effective partnerships, we are able to scale projects across Sub-Saharan Africa that are relevant to different contexts and locations.
Alignment With Global Goals
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 13: Climate Action
By supporting small-scale reforestation, this project contributes towards increasing capacity for climate change mitigation.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 15: Life on Land
By restoring forest ecosystems, this project contributes towards conserved, restored and sustainably managed forests.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
This project includes partnerships between organisations across Sub-Saharan Africa.
UN Strategic Plan for Forests
Global Objectives 1 & 2
This project contributes towards reforestation and increased provision of ecosystem services, thereby supporting global objectives 1 and 2.
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
By restoring forests, this project directly contributes towards ecosystem restoration.
Bonn Challenge
The Bonn Challenge is a global effort to restore 150 million hectares of the world’s degraded and deforested lands by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030.
Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework
Targets 1 & 2
This project contributes towards reforestation and increased provision of ecosystem services.
AFR100
This project contributes towards the restoration of degraded forested land in South Africa and Malawi.
Make an Impact With Us
By funding trees with Greenpop you are funding holistic forest restoration. So a Greenpop tree is not “just a tree” – it’s alien vegetation management, wildfire prevention, community employment, development of sustainable livelihood opportunities, and more!
Pledge
Your business can become an official Greenpop Pledge Partner by donating on an ongoing basis and watching your impact grow. Your pledge can be a fixed amount, or based on your sales.
Donate
Support our work. Your contributions will help us to restore ecosystems, green communities, and empower environmental stewards across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Monthly Giving
Fundraise
Companies That Have Joined Our Mission
Our Ecosystem Restoration Partners
