Community Tree Planting

Started in 2007, over 20,000 trees have been planted in 5 project areas, Aboku Nature Reserve, Sifoe, Pirang, Gunjur and Kartong. The trees are grown from transplants of indigenous trees collected as seedlings by our experienced forester Lamin Kinteh and then protected/nurtured by the local communities. Each project area helps to reforest areas which may have been affected by deforestation or over grazing in the past, as well as helping to offset carbon emissions from our customer’s flights. In most cases, they also offer community benefits to the locals who protect them. Many of the trees are specially planted to yield a crop or produce pollen to encourage bees which in turn make honey. The honey is used for food, health, medicine and beauty products offering locals an income from its sale.

Over the next 20 years, all trees will be protected through management agreements signed by the Alkalo (village head) on behalf of each community. Our experienced forester, Lamin Kinteh, will also help with maintenance and replacement of any trees damaged or lost over this period. The carbon offset of this time will be equivalent to a minimum of 5,000 tonnes which equates to the CO2 created by 5,000 return flights from the UK to The Gambia.