**In the heart of Mount Kenya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, the third season of the project developed by Reforest'Action, and supported by Maison Hennessy for the past two years, was completed at the end of 2022. Hennessy has been a partner of Reforest'Action since 2020, funding numerous local initiatives over the long term. Through its multidimensional scope, this project aimed at restoring forest and agricultural ecosystems in Kenya is a concrete illustration of our shared regenerative, impact-oriented approach. Thanks to two waves of planting, in spring and autumn, the year 2022 made it possible to plant 250,000 trees on 500 hectares of land divided between the project's various activities.** 

![Kenya1.jpeg](/uploads/Kenya1_2dc4dd7b3e.jpeg)

In recent years, drought has hit East Africa particularly hard, including Kenya: rainfall has been below average for five consecutive rainy seasons. By January 2023, it was estimated that more than 20 million people were facing acute food insecurity in the region, mainly as a result of drought*. In this rapidly changing socio-climatic context, the project led by the local association Trees for Kenya focuses on restoring Mount Kenya's natural ecosystem and improving the food security of the people who live in this area. 

*World Meteorological Organization (WMO), _State of the Global Climate report,_ 2022.

## The project's objectives: a three-fold approach

The plots targeted by the project's third season are located in three counties in eastern Kenya: Kirinyaga, Embu and Tharaka Nithi. The typology of ecosystems covered and the actions implemented vary according to altitude, rainfall regime and soil quality. In the highlands, the project is helping to restore the forest of [Mount Kenya National Park,](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/800/) which is essential to the proper functioning of the water cycle. Downstream, in the middle and lowlands cultivated with tea and coffee plantations, the creation of agroforestry garden forests aims to support the socio-economic development of farming communities. In addition to forestry work, the project also raises awareness among farming communities about the many benefits of planting trees on their land. Thirdly, by distributing trees to schools in the area, the project includes an educational dimension designed to involve the younger generation. Let's take a look at the progress made by this multi-faceted project. 

![Kenya0 Project Map.jpg](/uploads/Kenya0_Project_Map_e3075b3aaf.jpg)

## Mount Kenya forest restoration: promoting the regeneration of a crucial ecosystem

The first part of the project involves reforesting 60 hectares of degraded forest land which, although protected, is unable to regenerate on its own. More than 300,000 people - including members of the Masai and Kikuyu ethnic groups - depend on the Mount Kenya forest for their daily livelihoods: it provides them with water, fruits, and medicinal plants. As a result of deforestation for agriculture and charcoal production, the drastic reduction in the region's forest cover has led to a change in local weather patterns, with rainfall becoming more irregular and scarcer, causing the rivers originating from Mount Kenya to dry up and no longer flow sufficiently to irrigate crops.

### Achievements: 65,000 trees planted in the Njukiini forest

In 2022, the project enabled the creation of three conservation sites in the Njukiini forest. The latter lies at the foot of Mount Kenya, between a dried-out wetland and a forest managed by the Kenya Forest Service for commercial purposes. The selected sites are made up of a few scattered trees and therefore have regeneration potential. Work began with the clearing of Lantana Camara, an invasive shrub species that was preventing native vegetation from developing and drawing on the water table, followed by the planting of a diverse range of native species, including Prunus Africana and Podocarpus. A total of 65,000 trees were planted, with the aim of restoring the degraded forest and initiating its future regeneration.  

The forestry work was carried out by the Community Conservation Association (CFA), a group of 50 casual workers from local communities, mostly young people and about half of them being women. More broadly, local people are involved in all restoration processes: they participate in the production of seedlings in twelve community nurseries set up as part of the project, as well as in soil preparation through the removal of brush and invasive species, and in the long-term maintenance of the planted trees. 

![Kenya3©TonyTei-2022.jpg](/uploads/Kenya3_Tony_Tei_2022_67e0e9487e.jpg)

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**At the end of 2022, Reforest'Action's field audit made it possible to assess the survival rate of the trees planted on the three conservation sites during the previous spring. Despite very limited water resources due to chronic drought, the shade provided by the existing trees and the high moisture level of the forest soil ensured the survival of 74% of the planted trees.**

### Expected impacts: increased water resources and biodiversity

The porosity created by the organic activity of the forest soil will reduce water runoff, encourage its infiltration into the soil and enable groundwater to be recharged. As a cornerstone of the water cycle, the forest will also help regulate the local climate, increasing the frequency of rainfall and, ultimately, the volume of water flowing into the surrounding rivers. In the long term, restored forests will therefore play an important role in the water resources available to the farming population. Let's not forget that 75%* of the world's fresh water for human and environmental needs comes from forest and mountain ecosystems. At the same time, biodiversity will increase as the forest grows, being home to elephants, monkeys, buffalo, and gazelles’ populations.

*FAO, IUFRO and USDA. 2022. _A guide to forest-water management. FAO Forestry Paper_ No. 185. Rome.

## Garden forests: improving food security among farming communities

The second part of the project aims to install agroforestry systems within the tea, coffee, macadamia, maize, bean, sweet potato and banana crops that cover the lower slopes of Mount Kenya. Most farmers in the region own one or two hectares of land at most, and use 75% of it for cash crop production. Almost all households keep livestock or goats on the remaining 25%, on which the family home is also located. While for 98% of them, agriculture is the sole source of income, local farmers are facing sharply reduced crop yields as a result of severe drought.

### Achievements: 165,000 trees planted on 434 farmers' land

In 2022, more than 430 new beneficiaries were given trees. They were recruited by a "leading farmers" team made up of local farmers who act as a link between Trees for Kenya's and the farming communities. Agroforestry species such as calliandra, markhamia and pink cedar were planted as hedges around the crops, meanwhile fruit trees were spread throughout the plots. Fruit trees are particularly valuable to farmers, as they will produce avocados, tree tomatoes, mangoes and oranges. Between January and December 2022, 165,000 trees were planted to create garden forests in the low and midlands of Mount Kenya.

Before each wave of planting, training and awareness-raising sessions were organized for farmers, including demonstrations of how to use the planting and monitoring equipment (spades, secateurs, tape and calipers to measure tree height and diameter, etc.). Beneficiaries were also trained in the manufacturing of plant-based organic fertilizers and pesticides, and made aware of the importance of conserving trees on their plots. 

![Kenya2.jpg](/uploads/Kenya2_1492d3fdbf.jpg)

![Kenya7©TonyTei-2022.jpg](/uploads/Kenya7_Tony_Tei_2022_6658bf7c68.jpg)
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**The survival rate of trees planted in agroforestry in the spring of 2022 was evaluated at 65% by the end-of-year audit. The main challenge here relates to the lack of available water to irrigate the planted trees, causing them to dry out. It should be noted that trees affected by drought are systematically replaced during the next planting. A new field audit will be conducted by the beginning of 2024 in order to monitor the second wave of plantings that took place in autumn 2022.**  
 
During the audit, the testimonies of several beneficiaries were collected. All interviewees seemed now aware of the challenges raised by climate change and the importance of forest ecosystems. They thanked the support provided by the project, without which they would not have had the resources required to plant trees. Some of them revealed that the project not only helped them financially, but also socially, by enabling them to emerge from isolation.

### Expected impacts: strengthened food security for communities

The primary objective of agroforestry development on Mount Kenya is to protect and sustain the crops grown by local populations. Trees will provide shade for understorey plantations while acting as windbreaks, thus combating wind erosion. In addition, trees will have numerous benefits for degraded agricultural soils: they will promote nitrogen fixation and the restitution of organic matter through the creation of litter. It has been proven that farmers implementing agroforestry practices in East Africa have seen their yields increase by 100% compared to farmers using non-regenerative practices*. In the longer term, the return of rivers and rainfall, made possible by the restoration of Mount Kenya's forests, will facilitate crop irrigation and fertility.

From an economic point of view, the planted trees will be a source of fodder for livestock, of natural fertilizer for crops and of firewood for the local population. Through their sustainable management, they will thus prevent the harvesting of trees in the still intact primary forest. Furthermore, the fruit trees will help to boost the local population's livelihoods and to generate additional income through the sale of the fruits. Tea and coffee produced in shaded agroforestry systems, considered to be of better quality, will open the way to a new and more marketable value chain. Finally, awareness-raising sessions for farmers help prevent future deforestation while promoting the need to include and preserve trees as an integral component of their agriculture.

*Africa Regenerative Agriculture Study Group, _Regenerative Agriculture: An opportunity for businesses and society to restore degraded land in Africa,_ 2021.

![Kenya8©TonyTei-2022.jpg](/uploads/Kenya8_Tony_Tei_2022_89038ba919.jpg)
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Through its [Forest Destination program,](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/hennessy-forest-destination) Maison Hennessy is committed to promoting the regeneration of 50,000 hectares of forest in France and around the world by 2030, as a means of protecting biodiversity, enhancing the water cycle and responding to the climate emergency. This holistic project developed on the lands of Mount Kenya bears witness to the strong ambition shared by Reforest'Action and Hennessy: to preserve and restore forest ecosystems on a large scale.

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Maison Hennessy's commitment to restoring the land of Mount Kenya: a multi-faceted project

**Defined by the IUCN in 2009, the concept of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) is founded on the idea that natural processes, and not just technological ones, can make a significant contribution to tackling major contemporary challenges such as climate change and biodiversity erosion. Nature provides vital services to all living things, and in particular to humankind. It is therefore essential to preserve, restore and manage it sustainably to ensure our future.**

![Nature-Based-Solutions-forest.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Nature_Based_Solutions_forest_f54ea0ac1f.jpg)

## What are Nature-based Solutions?

Nature-based Solutions are defined by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems to directly address societal challenges in an effective and adaptive manner, while ensuring human well-being and producing benefits for biodiversity.”

This concept was formulated by IUCN at the Copenhagen Conference in 2009, when forests were proposed as a solution for mitigating climate change. It was at COP21 in 2015 that the place of Nature-based Solutions in climate action was recognized by States, notably via the Paris Agreement.

These are actions that aim to protect, restore and sustainably manage natural ecosystems - be they forests, rivers, wetlands or even bocage meadows - in a logic of mutual benefit, since these ecosystems generate benefits for humanity. Nature-based Solutions also bring benefits for [biodiversity](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/what-biodiversity-definition-and-issues), by integrating this objective into the very design and implementation of these actions.

![EN_NbS.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/EN_Nb_S_775d13cbc8.jpg)

## How are ecosystems and human societies interconnected?

### A multitude of services to humanity

Ecosystems are multifunctional by nature. The variety of ecosystem functions they produce are not man-made, but the result of slow, patient work shaped by Nature over millions of years. Today, [natural ecosystems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/reconnecting-living-sustainable-humanity) make vital contributions to people's lives, such as the production of food, energy and raw materials, as well as a multitude of ecosystem services. For example, forests store carbon, regulate the water cycle, limit local heat peaks, reduce the risk of soil runoff and landslides, and meet vital human needs such as the production of timber and energy, food and medicinal products, and places of well-being and recreation.

### Nature's services to human societies are not unlimited

The worldwide overexploitation of ecosystems leads to their degradation, and thus to their inability to provide resources in the long term. The Global Footprint Network's annual Earth Overshoot Day is a direct illustration of this idea. This date, which marks the day when humanity has consumed all the natural resources the Earth can produce in one year, is obtained by comparing mankind's ecological footprint (which measures the exploitation of the Earth's natural resources) with the planet's biocapacity (its capacity to replenish its reserves and absorb greenhouse gases). Still in surplus in 1961, with a quarter of its reserves unused, the Earth became in deficit in the early 1970s. This day was changed from October 10 in 1999 to August 1 in 2024.

In most regions of the world today, Nature has been significantly altered by multiple human factors, and the vast majority of indicators relating to ecosystems and biodiversity show a rapid decline. For example, the IPBES estimates that today :

- 75% of natural terrestrial environments are degraded;
- 66% of oceans have been altered;
- 85% of wetlands have disappeared;
- 5% of the world's animal and plant species are threatened.

Forests, which are home to 80% of the Earth's biodiversity and support 25% of the world's population, are in constant decline. On a global scale, forest area today represents around 68% of its estimated pre-industrial level. According to the FAO, 240 million hectares of forest were lost to deforestation in tropical zones between 1990 and 2015. In temperate zones, the effects of climate change are affecting forest health: 42% of tree species are now threatened with extinction in Europe, according to the IUCN. Forest animal biodiversity has fallen by [53%](https://www.dw.com/en/worlds-forest-animal-population-sinks-drastically-wwf-report/a-50015580) since 1970.

### Ecosystem degradation also weakens populations

Ecosystems, biodiversity and climate are interdependent. Ecosystems and their biodiversity influence climate, helping to regulate temperature and precipitation. They are essential players in the carbon, water and nitrogen cycles. They help absorb some of the heat and greenhouse gases emitted by human activities. These feedbacks between climate and biodiversity are at the origin of the dynamic balance of the environment in which human societies have developed, and which is today affected by both climate and ecosystem changes. Alterations to ecosystems and the climate-biodiversity pair make human beings more vulnerable, with the loss of food sources, the deterioration of water quality, the [development of new diseases](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/destruction-ecosystems-favours-rise-new-diseases-and-pandemics) and the exposure of societies to extreme climatic events (droughts, storms, etc.).

Strategies and actions to combat climate change must therefore not only drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also invest in protecting ecosystems. [Healthy ecosystems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/ecosystem-restoration-essential-climate-and-biodiversity) not only help mitigate climate change, but also enable human societies to adapt to its consequences.

![Wooded hills with women's tree-planting communities](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Nature_based_solutions_communities_c9eebab421.jpg)

## Nature-based solutions for today's societal challenges

### Preserving nature is essential to ensure the future of human societies and businesses

According to the IUCN, the use of NbS would enable us to achieve current societal objectives such as :

- Reducing natural hazards
- Socio-economic development
- Food security
- Water and energy supply
- Health and well-being for all
- Adapting territories to climate change
- Mitigating the effects of climate change on populations (rising sea levels, fires, heatwaves...)

According to the IPBES, these natural solutions will account for 37% of the climate change mitigation measures needed by 2030 to achieve the goal of global warming below 2°C by 2100. But implementing NbS on the scale required to meet these societal challenges requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including private sector companies.

### Forests: a key component of Nature-based Solutions

NbS value the services provided by ecosystems that have been preserved, restored or sustainably managed, and are based on various underlying concepts listed by the IUCN. Among these Nature-based Solutions is the restoration of forest landscapes. This process aims to mobilize and involve local communities in restoring the multifunctionality of forests, in order to sustainably meet human needs. This type of project can be implemented through a variety of actions involving the preservation, restoration and sustainable management of forests. All these actions enhance forest biodiversity, and increase carbon capture, which helps mitigate the risks of climate change:
- Preservation of existing forests in good ecological condition
- Restoration of degraded forests or creation of forest ecosystems
- Adoption of sustainable forest management practices
- Creation of protected areas (national or regional parks, nature reserves, etc.) to protect associated territories and preserve ecosystem services
- Reforestation and ecological restoration of degraded forest habitats using adapted and diverse species, giving priority to indigenous species;
- Creation of hedgerows and [agroforestry systems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/agroforestry) to regulate climate and the water cycle, conserve soil and create biological corridors for flora and fauna;
- Exclusion of unsustainable practices such as monospecific plantations, clear-cutting that weakens soils and overexploitation of stands;
- Development of [Assisted Natural Regeneration](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/assisted-natural-regeneration-complementary-solution-tree-planting-restore-degraded-forests);
- Creation of islands of senescence, made up of ageing trees which, as they decompose, promote the fertility of forest soils, the main reservoir of biodiversity in the forest;
- Promoting wood products from sustainably managed forests.

![Nature-based-solutions-overview.jpg](https://backoffice.reforestaction.com/uploads/Nature_based_solutions_overview_9e487805c8.jpg)

## Developing Nature-based Solutions with Reforest'Action

Reforest'Action offers Nature-based Solutions that enable companies to:
- Contribute to [global carbon neutrality](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/carbon-neutrality-solutions)
- Develop [regenerative agriculture](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/regenerative-agriculture) within their value chains 
- Support the [restoration of forest ecosystems](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/ecosystems-restoration) 

Our mission: to regenerate terrestrial ecosystems on a large scale to meet global environmental challenges and support corporate climate and transformation strategies, drawing on our field experience, local communities, research and technology. 

Today, our 1,650 forest and agroforestry projects in 45 countries are creating multiple impacts, based on the stability of ecosystems over time, to combat climate change, protect biodiversity and support local communities. Each project financed by Reforest'Action is thus at the heart of global climate action and Nature-based Solutions. 

At the heart of our approach, monitoring the impact of our projects via our [Research & Development team](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/the-impact) also enables us to optimize their results and deliver reliable and transparent data to investors, by means of key performance indicators, regarding the value generated by our Nature-based Solutions.


**Drawing on the role of healthy ecosystems for human life and the well-being of all, Nature-based Solutions address both climate and biodiversity issues. It is crucial to encourage their development at all scales to meet the Sustainable Development Goals formulated by the UN, and to direct more funds towards restoration in order to act more rapidly and effectively in favor of the climate and biodiversity at the service of all Living Things. If you're interested in Nature-based Solutions, and forestry in particular, please [contact us](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/contact).**



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What are Nature-based Solutions?

**While a quarter of all known plant and animal species are now endangered, initiatives continue to develop to help preserve them. Among these, The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS) is the only international standard to recognize and encourage the protection, restoration and enhancement of biodiversity. As part of the TGBS technical and scientific network, Reforest'Action contributes its expertise in forest ecosystem restoration and impact measurement to develop remote sensing monitoring tools, particularly for assessing plant biodiversity.**
 
![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-0.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_0_2bb73c5ee0.jpg)

## Global biodiversity under threat
 
With a quarter of known plant and animal species now on the brink of extinction, biodiversity loss is one of the top five global risks to society over the next ten years, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Risk Report 2023. Synonymous with biological diversity, biodiversity encompasses the taxonomic, functional and structural diversity of living species. Through the ecological services it provides, biodiversity is essential to maintaining the integrity and resilience of ecosystems. 

Among the main indicators of global biodiversity loss, the decline in the extent of forests underlines their essential role as reservoirs of terrestrial biodiversity when they were the native ecosystem in place. They are home to over 80% of the planet's known terrestrial species. In this respect, a better understanding and preservation of forest biodiversity is essential to help halt the onset of the sixth mass extinction.
 
![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-1.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_1_4d330f21cc.jpg)

## The creation of an international standard dedicated to biodiversity
 
### The ambition of the Global Biodiversity Standard

Introduced in 2022, [The Global Biodiversity Standard](https://www.biodiversitystandard.org/) (TGBS) is the only international standard to recognize and encourage the protection, restoration and enhancement of biodiversity. Against a backdrop of increasing numbers of forest creation and restoration projects, this standard aims to develop best practices for creating positive impacts on biodiversity, notably by diversifying tree communities and integrating native species into project design. In the long term, The Global Biodiversity Standard hopes to place biodiversity at the heart of all initiatives that help combat climate change and develop the livelihoods of local communities.
 
### Towards the certification of projects based on the restoration and protection of biodiversity

Based on an international scientific and technical network that includes IUCN & Botanic Garden Conservation International, CIFOR-ICRAF, Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew), Society for Ecological Restoration and Reforest'Action, The Global Biodiversity Standard is currently testing its certification method in real-life conditions, in collaboration with botanical gardens in India, Kenya, Peru, Brazil, Madagascar, Uganda, Malaysia, Jordan and Hong Kong. 

Projects submitted for The Global Biodiversity Standard certification will be assessed against criteria derived from the “10 Golden Rules for Reforestation”. This scientific paper, promulgated by Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew) and Botanic Garden Conservation International, provides guidance on how to ensure that reforestation projects promote biodiversity restoration, carbon sequestration and the creation of socio-economic benefits for local communities. 

Projects certified by The Global Biodiversity Standard must:
- Select appropriate sites to enhance native biodiversity.
- Enhance protection of existing habitats and biodiversity.
- Protect, restore and manage biodiversity in consultation and partnership with local communities and other stakeholders.
- Aim to maximise biodiversity recovery through ecosystem restoration.
- Avoid and reduce invasive or potentially invasive species.
- Prioritise the use of native, threatened and rare species.
- Promote biodiversity and adaptive capacity.
- Implement robust monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management of biodiversity.
 
 ![Global-Biodiversity-Standard-2.jpg](/uploads/Global_Biodiversity_Standard_2_0ed75a2841.jpg)
 
## Reforest'Action's role in The Global Biodiversity Standard
 
### The contribution to remote sensing of forest biodiversity assessment

As part of The Global Biodiversity Standard's technical and scientific network, Reforest'Action brings its expertise in forest ecosystem restoration and impact measurement to the development of remote sensing monitoring tools. Reforest'Action offers The Global Biodiversity Standard a catalog of tools dedicated to remote sensing measurements. These measurements are carried out both upstream of project implementation, and downstream, as part of project monitoring. 

While tree species diversity has traditionally been assessed through field studies using samples from selected plots, this process is time-consuming and costly for large-scale analysis. Today, remote sensing provides new ways of monitoring vegetation biodiversity, offering the possibility of generating data sets to track environmental changes over the long term. This remote monitoring makes it possible to detect changes taking place within the forest cover, and thus to refine field sampling, in order to prioritize studies within areas that appear to be experiencing more or less positive evolution than others. As a complement to remote sensing, field monitoring remains essential for its accuracy, its ability to validate remote monitoring data and to calibrate the latter by providing real data to refine analyses.
 
### A tool for mapping tree species diversity in canopies

Among the catalog of tools offered by Reforest'Action to The Global Biodiversity Standard, Reforest'Action's Impact Department is collaborating directly with the standard to develop a tool dedicated to mapping the diversity of tree species within canopies. Based on a concept developed by J.-B. Féret and G. P. Asner (2014) and powered by images from Sentinel-2, a satellite in the European Space Agency's Copernicus program, the methodology and tool, re-appropriated by Reforest'Action, enables analysis of the spatial distribution of spectral species, those vegetation zones that include one or more plant species with a similar spectral signature. 

In other words, the tool can be used to assess the diversity of species within a given plot by grouping them into categories known as “spectral species”, based on their physical and biochemical properties (physiological state, water and pigment content, etc.). “Initially, we were looking for a way to measure spatial (within a project area) and temporal (over time) changes in forest stand diversity using remote sensing, in order to better guide sampling during field surveys,” explains Richard Sourbès, Reforest'Action's impact manager. “Based on the method developed by J.-B. Féret and G. P. Asner, we have developed our own tool with innovations that enable us to further refine our remote and field monitoring. While this tool has been used so far mainly in the field of research, Reforest'Action is now applying it for the first time to the operational monitoring of forest restoration projects. This innovative approach is in line with the more general use of remote sensing in the development of our forestry projects - from the design phase through to monitoring.”
 
### A field mission led by Reforest'Action to refine the tool and methodology

During a mission carried out in February 2024 as part of an international workshop organized by The Global Biodiversity Standard, a team from Reforest'Action's Impact Unit travelled to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest to compare estimated remote sensing data with data collected in the field, particularly in terms of tree species diversity in the canopy. “The aim of this mission was to compare the estimate given by satellite imagery with observation in the field, in order to verify their correlation and refine our methodology and tool”, continues Richard Sourbès. “In concrete terms, our experiments in some twenty forest and agroforestry plots demonstrated a strong relationship between the distribution of spectral tree species and that of tree species actually observed in the field.” 

This field mission showed encouraging results in terms of the relevance of monitoring spectral species as a proxy for plant diversity in the canopy. The increasing number of projects monitored using this method will enable us to improve its accuracy in the future, by adapting it to the different stages of maturity and types of forest studied by Reforest'Action. 

Ultimately, this tool should enable us to better control the evolution of our remote sensing projects, so as to optimize our field monitoring missions. It also aims to provide a better understanding of the factors influencing plant diversity and its evolution over time, so as to be able to propose corrective measures as soon as a negative evolution is detected (for example, the presence of an invasive species). Ultimately, this tool will strengthen the adaptive management of our projects and ensure the long-term survival of forest ecosystems.  

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_To find out more about the spectral species method developed by Reforest'Action, read our dedicated article: “[Spectral species: an innovative method for studying plant biodiversity from space](https://www.reforestaction.com/en/magazine/spectral-species-monitoring-plant-biodiversity-from-space)”._


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Monitoring biodiversity to better preserve it: Reforest'Action's expertise at the service of The Global Biodiversity Standard

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Amikinos est une petite entreprise familiale française ayant pour but de proposer les croquettes les plus saines possibles pour les chiens et chats. Nous partons du principe que pour qu'une croquette soit la plus saine possible, elle doit être naturelle et se rapprocher le plus possible de ce que les chiens et les chats mangent à l’état sauvage. Autrement dit, une croquette riche en viande, sans céréales, et avec le moins de glucides possible.

AMIKINOS

Restaurer les écosystèmes terrestres à grande échelle en recréant les meilleures conditions pour leur permettre d’être stable dans la durée dans un contexte climatique et sociétal en pleine transformation.

En savoir plus sur la mission de Reforest'Action

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Tulipier du Gabon

Mouroungue

Pêcher

Podocarpe à grandes feuilles

Avocatier

Margousier

Pin du Mexique

Chêne soyeux

Fruits: bois d'oeuvre: bois de chauffe: biodiversité: lutte contre l'érosion: maintien de la qualité de l'eau- Activités touristiques (visite: tours: vélo: hotellerie: etc.) - Sensibilisation auprès des écoles: mise en place d'une "green school"

NO_POVERTY

ZERO_HUNGER

QUALITY_EDUCATION

DECENT_WORK_AND_ECONOMIC_GROWTH

CLIMATE_ACTION

LIFE_ON_LAND

PARTNERSHIP_FOR_THE_GOALS

Preservation of local biodiversity by providing suitable habitats and resources.

Supports human well-being, by providing resources, income, education, empowerment, and supporting culture and spirituality.

Influences the quality and integrity of the soil-water system, and the cycling of water and nutrients.

Contributes to the mitigation of the greenhouse effect and influences precipitation patterns and the local microclimate.

Between 1990 and 2010, Tanzania lost 19.4% of its forest area, or around 8 million hectares. Today, it is still one of the world's most deforested countries, with 400,000 hectares of forest destroyed every year. This is due to the expansion of agricultural and grazing land to the detriment of forests, felling for charcoal and firewood production, and forest fires caused by industrial activities.

Reforest'Action has joined forces with Friends of Usambara to restore the biodiversity of the Usambara Mountains, raise awareness among local populations of the importance of forests and agroforestry, and support them in the sustainable management of their trees.

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Spekboom

Reforest’Action is joining forces with C4 EcoSolutions and AfriCarbon, two South African companies into the protected reserves of Kuzuko and Koedoeskloof. The goal is to restore these ecosystems by planting more than 500,000 seeds of Spekboom, a local species which is essential to the ecological functioning of the region. The project will develop a new sustainable grazing management system to improve the carrying capacity of livestock without degrading the environment. Numerous benefits will also be generated: the return of biodiversity, including a population of elephants, rainwater infiltration improvement, restoration of arable land and improve the living conditions of the local populations.

Within the Eastern Cape, in South Africa, land desertification is due to the increasing pressure of livestock on pastureland. Nowadays, the increasing scarcity of vegetation cover and the degradation of local farmers’ land and surrounding reserves are causing many negative environmental effects, such as the drying up of water resources, loss of biodiversity and soil erosion. The plantation areas are made up of former degraded pastures, and are located close to areas that have been protected for several decades.

The project is led in the field by Anthony Mills, a geochemist and expert in environmental development projects. He is the founder of two companies, AfriCarbon in 2009 and C4 EcoSolutions in 2015, which ensure the technical and operational deployment of the project.

Reforest’Action is joining forces with C4 EcoSolutions and AfriCarbon, two South African companies into the protected reserves of Kuzuko and Koedoeskloof. The goal is to restore these ecosystems by planting seeds of Spekboom, a local species which is essential to the ecological functioning of the region. The project will develop a new sustainable grazing management system to improve the carrying capacity of livestock without degrading the environment. Numerous benefits will also be generated: the return of biodiversity, including a population of elephants, rainwater infiltration improvement, restoration of arable land and improve the living conditions of the local populations.

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Bois pin d'Australie

Algaroville

Gliciridia

Corossol épineux

Manguier

Chêne

Amandier des indes

Acajou cédrel

Develop family agroforestry around the town of Lavial, in the south of the country, restore the region's forests, which are heavily affected by deforestation. Focus in wood production, food security improvement, increase of families income and development of the region biodiversity.

GOOD_HEALTH_AND_WELL_BEING

REDUCED_INEQUALITIES

SUSTAINABLE_CITIES_AND_COMMUNITIES

RESPONSIBLE_CONSUMPTION_AND_PRODUCTION

Haiti is one of the most deforested countries in the world. In 1920, 60% of the country was covered by forest, compared with 2% today. The massive loss of forest cover is mainly due to charcoal production, the main source of energy for the population. The dramatic passage of Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 also destroyed a huge proportion of the trees still standing. Located in the Jacmel Valley, the Lavial community has a population of around 36,000\. Living conditions over there are precarious: a large proportion of the population lives below the poverty line. The local association OJUCAH is therefore deploying actions to support agriculture, livestock breeding, health and education.

The Organisation des Jeunes Universitaires de Carrefour pour l'Avancement d'Haïti (OJUCAH - Carrefour's Young Academics' Organization for the Advancement of Haiti) is an apolitical, non-profit, non-denominational association bringing together children, young and old, regardless of gender, ethnic group, creed or social affiliation. The organization was created in 1998 in the Haitian town of Carrefour, and is now active around the municipality of Lavial, with some 1,200 active members spread across various rural sections. the NGO is recognized as a charitable organization and registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs.

In Haiti's South-East department, in the Jacmel Valley, Reforest'Action and the Organisation des Jeunes Universitaires de Carrefour pour l'Avancement d'Haïti (OJUCAH) are collaborating with the "Trees That Feed" program to finance several fruit and forest species. The project enables both the reforestation of degraded areas around the associated villages and the development of agroforestry. The forest ecosystems thus recreated will offer a multitude of invaluable services for the climate, biodiversity and local populations, while agroforestry systems will enable families to generate additional income.

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Aulne andin

Eucalyptus

Cyprès

Recovery of degraded soils: conservation of water sources and fight against desertification - Valorisation of low value land. - Generation of income sources - Improvement of family nutrition. Protection and management of plantations in the initial phase Training in sustainable agriculture and pastoralism Social awareness of forestry and environmental issues Training and technical assistance in forestry and environmental management (installation and management).

CLEAN_WATER_AND_SANITATION

At an altitude of over 2,000 meters, the misty landscape of the Piura highlands is deceptive. This is indeed an arid ecosystem, made up of sparse dry forests threatened by desertification. The harsh climate is compounded by deforestation, a consequence of growing agricultural needs. According to the Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre, over 600,000 hectares of forest have been illegally cleared in the Piura region over the past twenty years. The province of Huancabamba, where the project financed by Reforest'Action is located, suffers the highest rate of deforestation. The near absence of vegetation exposes arable soils to water and wind erosion. Fires, which feed on the scanty brushwood, also represent a growing threat, while long periods without rainfall are dangerously drying up water resources.

Reforest’Action is associated with the Peruvian NGO Progreso, founded in 1993\. The NGO has more than 25 years of experience in the development of agroforestry systems, the improvement of food security for the populations of the Piura region and the fight against climate change. The Progreso team works hand in hand with local district governments and farming communities. Progreso will ensure the monitoring of the planted trees and raise awareness among villagers about sustainable agriculture and the importance of preserving forests.

Starting in 2019, this is the second natural ecosystem regeneration project financed by Reforest'Action in Peru. On the highlands of the Piura region and in partnership with Peruvian NGO PROGRESO, the actions carried out aim to regenerate the eroded soil and to fight against desertification. In this context, planting trees is an effective way of improving the soil, with many positive cascading effects: better water infiltration, control of water erosion, barrier against mudslides, recovery and maintenance of water resources, and improved soil fertility. At the surface, tree crowns act as windbreaks against wind erosion. Besides, the presence of vegetation in the landscape also generates a more humid microclimate, conducive to agriculture and livestock farming.

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Flamboyant

Cassia du Siam

Limonelle

Bigaradier

Palmiste marron

Arbre au diable

Reforest'Action is partnering with Agrinotech to restore the vegetation cover in 9 rural sections of the commune of Saint-Michel de l'Attalaye through plantation of 515,00 trees. The project also aims at raising awareness and involving local communities in the implementation of agricultural practices that are more respectful of the environment and forests.

GENDER_EQUALITY

Discovered in the 15th century by Christopher Columbus, the island of Hispaniola, comprising Haiti to the west and the Dominican Republic to the east, was originally 80% covered by a wide variety of trees. Today, Haiti is one of the most deforested countries in the world, with only 2% of the country's total surface area covered by woodland. In 2022 alone, deforestation in the country emitted 894,000 tons of CO2 equivalent. Today, facing extreme poverty, the rural population is forced to chop down trees to produce charcoal, the only fuel available in the absence of any national energy policy. Farming families are bearing the brunt of negative impacts resulting from forest ecosystem destruction: soil degradation and lower crop productivity, prolonged drought, water pollution and more.

Agrinotech stands for "new agricultural technologies". Agrinotech is a Haitian association specializing in the deployment of agricultural techniques conducive to the sustainable management of natural resources and the socio-economic development of local populations. Founded by a group of Haitian and American agronomists, Agrinotech focuses in particular on soil conservation and environmental preservation, as well as on training local producers in the latest sustainable farming methods.

Reforest'Action is partnering with Agrinotech to run an agroforestry project that is both socially meaningful and impact-generating. In nine sections of the Saint-Michel de l'Attalaye region, our partner is dedicated to raise awareness among local populations and to provide training in sustainable agriculture, the only viable means of subsistence in the face of climate change. Forest, fruit, and medicinal species have been integrated into the crops of farmers from the municipality of Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye. The primary goals of this program are to regenerate the area's vegetation cover and to ensure the food and economic security of local communities. However, long-term objectives include preserving water sources and groundwater, which are already under threat, and increasing stream flows in the Saint-Michel area, while providing people with sustainably sourced timber in order to reduce pressure on surrounding forests.

Bénéfices estimés des arbres plantés ou préservés

En savoir plus sur la mission de Reforest'Action

Actualités de Reforest'Action

Maison Hennessy's commitment to restoring the land of Mount Kenya: a multi-faceted project

What are Nature-based Solutions?

Monitoring biodiversity to better preserve it: Reforest'Action's expertise at the service of The Global Biodiversity Standard