Since 1989, Trees for the Future has been helping communities around the world plant trees. Through seed distribution, agroforestry training, and our country programs, they have empowered rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands. Planting trees protects the environment and helps to preserve traditional livelihoods and cultures for generations.
Trees for the Future is an agroforestry resource center, working with people to improve livelihoods and restore degraded lands to sustainable productivity through planting beneficial trees.
Planting trees in agroforestry systems provides a myriad benefits, such as food, forage for animals, sustainable fuel wood and construction materials, increased agricultural yields, improved water infiltration and aquifer recharge and protection of soils from wind and water erosion. However, planting trees can be difficult when the canopy has disappeared, topsoil has been eroded, and the climate and growing conditions have changed.
Agroforestry is a land-use system that integrates agriculture, trees, people, and animals in the same space, resulting in improved soil quality, higher yields, and improved standards of living. Agroforestry has been practiced around the world in varying forms for thousands of years, and as such it works well with the low-input land-management systems that are common throughout the developing world. Their role is to train communities in advances in agroforestry, and to facilitate the diffusion and promotion of these strategies.
Through their network of technicians, volunteers, and community leaders world-wide, their program reaches out and provides the knowledge and ability to rehabilitate their environment. Since 1988, Trees for the Future has helped thousands of communities in Central America, Africa, and Asia improve their livelihoods and their environment by planting nearly 65 million trees. These trees remove over one and a half million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year.
Trees for the Future is also active locally, educating students and communities about global issues, our role in the environment, and energy efficiency.
