Making an impact on the world with the EF Forest Initiative
In 2021, EF launched the EF Forest Initiative, a project to create and conserve forests around the world. And in our recently released, first-ever EF Impact Report, we shared an update on that program’s progress. Below is an excerpt from that report.
At EF, we seek to be a force for good—for people, communities, and the planet. Read about the EF Forest Initiative and more in the first-ever EF Impact Report, which shares how the EF community is opening the world through education together and why it matters.
Planting trees with Eden Reforestation Projects
In the EF Forest Initiative’s first year, we planted trees with Eden Reforestation Projects, a nonprofit organization that engages local communities in planting, maintaining, and guarding previously deforested areas. Eden planted three million trees on our behalf in 2021 in Kenya, Madagascar, and Mozambique—and the effort will grow over time as we add more partners and locations.
We selected Eden Reforestation Projects as our first EF Forest partner because of its mission to restore healthy forests while creating economic opportunities in rural communities worldwide. Eden provides fair-wage employment to local community members, hiring and training them to plant trees, build the infrastructure that supports them, and guard against illegal logging, poaching, and other threats.
Long-term environmental impact
EF Forests will create long-term environmental impact by prioritizing native species trees that can withstand ecological stressors and by performing an array of ecosystem services, like sediment regulation and storm protection.
EF Forest Initiative by the numbers
Mangrove trees planted to meet our goal of 3 million mangrove trees
Local community members employed
Acres being reforested in total. That equates to over 1,418 American football fields
Eden Reforestation Projects Update, February 2022
Where we focused in our first year
Kenya: The Kipini site is comprised of 618 acres of deforested mangroves along the Tana River Delta in eastern Kenya.
Madagascar: The Bemangroaka 2 site is comprised of 331 acres of massively deforested mangroves near the Betsiboka River in northwestern Madagascar.
Mozambique: The Xefina site is comprised of 927 acres of degraded mangrove ecosystems on Mozambique’s southeastern coast.
EF Forest Initiative highlights
Eden Reforestation Projects employs people from local communities to plant trees, providing benefits and making an impact on the world far beyond the trees themselves.
Mangroves are one of the most efficient ecosystems for carbon sequestration, and they also protect coastal areas from erosion.
Local communities are directly involved in ongoing preservation efforts through the creation, care, and maintenance of planting sites.
Planting native species, like these mangrove propagules in Mozambique, is a priority as they can withstand ecological stressors and perform an array of ecosystem services.
Eden Reforestation Projects’ Chief Development Officer, Debra Crawford, shares her thoughts on the importance of responsible travel.
Eden Reforestation Projects employs people from local communities to plant trees, providing benefits and making an impact on the world far beyond the trees themselves.
Mangroves are one of the most efficient ecosystems for carbon sequestration, and they also protect coastal areas from erosion.
Local communities are directly involved in ongoing preservation efforts through the creation, care, and maintenance of planting sites.
Planting native species, like these mangrove propagules in Mozambique, is a priority as they can withstand ecological stressors and perform an array of ecosystem services.
Eden Reforestation Projects’ Chief Development Officer, Debra Crawford, shares her thoughts on the importance of responsible travel.
Related articles
*Images provided by Eden Reforestation Projects
Our promise to travel responsibly
When you travel on an EF tour, know that we’re dedicated to making an impact on the world—both now and for years to come.
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