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Our October Monthly Dose of Climate Hope with EarthLungs Reforestation Foundation CEO Victor Mwanga was full of insights on how we can help both people and the planet by reforesting degraded land in Kenya and Tanzania with community-centered approaches.
Climate Action Now is partnered with EarthLungs Reforestation Foundation to plant the trees that CANdoers earn by taking action in the app, as well as planting the trees that are offered in our subscriptions and gift products.
Watch a recording of the conversation (1 hour) or read a quick recap.
Recording
Quick Recap
Disclaimer: This is an auto-generated meeting summary from Zoom, offering a high-level overview of the discussion. Please note that it may not capture all details with perfect accuracy.
The meeting opened with introductions and an explanation of the Climate Action Now app before transitioning into a live interview with Victor Mwanga, CEO of Earthlungs Reforestation Foundation, who discussed their tree planting efforts and sustainable forestry initiatives across East Africa. Victor shared details about their growth to planting over 55 million trees, highlighting their successful programs in Kenya and Tanzania. The discussion concluded with Brett presenting Climate Action Now subscription and tree-planting initiatives that support the work of EarthLungs Reforestation Foundation.
Summary
Climate Action and Tree Planting
The meeting began with Liz Bridgwater, Director of Outreach at Climate Action Now, introducing the event and explaining the icebreaker activity. Kaylee Beam, Director of Content, demonstrated how to use the Climate Action Now app to take action and earn points towards tree planting. The event then transitioned into a live interview with Victor Mwanga, CEO and founder of Earthlungs Reforestation Foundation, discussing his organization’s work in tree planting and sustainable forestry in Kenya and Tanzania.
EarthLung’s Tree Planting Expansion Success
Sam Matey-Coste interviewed Victor Mwanga, leader of EarthLungs Reforestation Foundation, to discuss their impressive growth from planting 32 million trees a year ago to over 55 million today. Victor explained how the organization started with passion and has expanded from Kenya to 19 sites, then Tanzania with 25 sites, and is preparing to plant in Mozambique soon. He detailed their process of selecting protected areas through government partnerships and their Beyond Trees program, which ensures 80-82% of funding goes directly to intervention areas. Victor highlighted their high survival rates of around 90% for seedlings, achieved through daily monitoring and protective measures like using green pepper to deter elephants.
Kenya’s Tree Conservation Success
Victor discussed the positive impact of tree planting and conservation efforts in Kenya, highlighting how these initiatives have led to environmental restoration, improved community livelihoods, and the return of wildlife. He shared specific examples, such as the presence of hyenas and a python in previously degraded areas. Victor emphasized the economic benefits, noting increased school attendance, better access to goods like books, and the revival of small businesses, all contributing to a transformed community atmosphere of hope and prosperity. Sam appreciated the multifaceted approach, comparing it to the U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps and emphasizing the project’s role as a private conservation corps in Kenya, which provides both environmental and economic benefits.
Sustainable Forest Management in Africa
Victor discussed the challenges of tree planting in Africa, where despite efforts, forest cover does not increase due to communities cutting down trees for lack of alternatives. He explained Beyond Trees’ approach, which involves calculating the forest’s capacity for beehives and developing value chains for bee products like honey, while transitioning tree planting technicians to forest scouts. Victor also highlighted the project’s success in creating sustainable income through mushroom farming, bamboo cultivation, and ecotourism, leading to improved education and community development.
East Africa’s Climate Change Challenges
Victor explained how climate change is affecting East Africa, including unpredictable rainfall patterns that impact farmers. He discussed governments’ efforts to address climate change through national determined contributions and the importance of conserving ecosystems to support clean energy sources like geothermal and hydroelectric power. Victor also highlighted the connection between ecosystem conservation and the wildebeest migration in Kenya and Tanzania, emphasizing how small interventions can have a significant impact on water flow and wildlife.
Tree Cover’s Role in Watersheds
Sam and Victor discussed the significant impact of tree cover in watersheds, emphasizing its role in maintaining water flow and supporting wildlife migration. Victor highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in tree planting, praising Climate Action Now’s efforts in supporting such initiatives. Brett expressed pride in partnering with Victor’s team and emphasized the importance of converting thoughts into action to combat despair. They also discussed the Climate Action Now “Save the Planet Subscription” product, which supports tree planting efforts of EarthLungs Reforestation Foundation.
Tree-Planting Initiatives
Brett shared about Climate Action Now products which support the tree planting efforts of EarthLungs Reforestation Foundation, such as the “Save the Planet Subscription” product. He highlighted additional partnerships with Renewables.org for solar funding in the Global South and Conserve.org for preserving high desert habitat in Oregon. Brett also shared about gift options to plant trees, including gifts for birthdays and holidays, memorial trees, and Trees for Travel to reverse carbon emissions from air travel. He emphasized the importance of meaningful gifts during the holiday season and encouraged attendees to support climate action through tree planting rather than purchasing merchandise.