Every tree planted is a promise

The effects of climate change are a reality in many regions of Madagascar. Rising temperatures, longer dry seasons, and erratic rainfall are placing nature and people under increasing pressure. Water sources are drying up, harvests are becoming more uncertain, and the livelihoods of many families are under threat.

Local initiatives are therefore needed to counter the effects of climate change while simultaneously creating a better future for the population. But what does that look like in practice?

Where there is water, hope grows

A visibly positive result of our reforestation work can be seen in a community reforestation area managed by ADES’s Centre Vert, about four kilometers east of Ejeda (a rural community in southern Madagascar). Even a month after the last rainfall, water still remains in a dam backfilled with stones.

This is invaluable to the village community. The stored water is not only used to irrigate young tree seedlings and vegetable gardens but also provides fresh drinking water for the villagers. At the same time, a wide variety of animal species benefit from it—from the aardvark cuckoo and the southern mouse lemur to the radiated tortoise. All of them rely on the dam as a vital watering hole.

This example shows that reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable water management must be considered together. It is a cycle: at the same time, forests help retain water in the soil longer, reduce erosion, and stabilize the natural water cycle. In times of rising temperatures, this is essential.

Over 1,600,000 Trees for a Resilient Future

Between 2007 and 2025, together with partner organizations and local communities, our goal is to:

·  Plant over 1.6 million trees

·  Reforest 544 hectares of forest

But simply planting trees isn't enough. By 2029, we aim to:

·  Plant 200,000 trees

·  Reforest 125 hectares of forest

·  Train 800 farmers in sustainable farming and management practices

·  Support 200 households through agroforestry systems

These measures combine environmental protection with food security, a stable income, and the population’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Sharing Knowledge, Shaping the Future

Thinking about the future also means involving the next generation. Together with our partner VOIALA, we therefore train local youth in planting methods and caring for tree seedlings. They can then share the knowledge they’ve gained with their communities.

This builds local expertise that has a long-term impact and helps ensure that reforestation projects can continue independently. These young people become ambassadors for the sustainable use of natural resources.

People behind the Successes

The impact of the reforestation programs is particularly evident in the experiences of the people who are working on the ground to protect and restore their environment.

Taking Action Instead of Standing Still

Germaine Ravaoarisoa is a beneficiary of these reforestation initiatives. She has been observing the changes for years:

“The destruction of forests and the environment is a growing cause for concern today.”

This development motivated her to take action herself.

She is currently supporting the creation of a firebreak. These preventive measures are designed to stop fires from spreading and thus protect people and nature.