A recent community-led reforestation initiative caught the attention of Protect Earth, but not for the reasons we might have hoped. Unfortunately, due to a miscommunication, several trees that had been painstakingly planted by local residents were inadvertently cut down. This affected the development of much-needed greenspace and threatened to undermine the community’s morale and dedication to the project.
Recognising the importance of rectifying this situation promptly, Protect Earth decided to replace the lost trees without delay. Understanding that the community’s spirit and the project’s momentum were at stake, we chose to self-fund the restoration efforts to ensure that the greenspace could be swiftly revitalised. Throughout the process, we regularly engaged with all stakeholders, learning from the initial mistake to ensure such an oversight would not occur again.
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In a few decades, this neighbourhood will have a thriving woodland. Guards aren’t necessary on this project. Instead, it’s been fenced off around the perimeter setting boundaries. [/caption]
As we progressed with the project, it became clear how deeply the community valued their green space. Residents’ gratitude for the restoration work reaffirmed our commitment and inspired us to go beyond mere replacement. We ultimately planted 13,500 plants, incorporating the Miyawaki Planting Technique for some of the new growth. This technique, known for creating dense, biodiverse forests, offered an exciting opportunity to experiment with innovative reforestation methods that could benefit future projects.
Protect Earth successfully completed this project using our own funds, hoping to later secure external support to cover the expenses. However, the project did not meet the criteria for most traditional grants, making it ineligible for typical funding options. To help recover these costs, we are now inviting community members to sponsor trees. Your sponsorship will not only help us recoup our investment but also contribute to ongoing environmental efforts.
How Self-Funding Empowers the Growth of Green Spaces
The experience of self-funding this project has been both challenging and enlightening. Traditional funding avenues often come with constraints that can limit the scope of environmental initiatives, meaning projects, places, and people who would benefit from more green spaces simply won’t. Further, experimental equipment or techniques like the Miyawaki Planting Technique employed here can be explored to see if the-way-we-always-do-things approach is still the best way to do things.
By adding self-funded projects to Protect Earth’s capabilities, we can expand our ability to develop natural habitats in two ways. We can still create natural habitats in places that would thrive and benefit but fall out of funding scope. Self-funding will allow us to explore innovative reforestation methods. We hope that with the community’s support, we continue to pursue these opportunities for the benefit of both people and the planet.
Sponsor a tree from this project today
Help Protect Earth to restore vital green spaces.
You will receive a personalised certificate with the tree’s exact location, allowing you to visit and see the impact of your contribution firsthand. Act now and make a difference!
