The Greener Picture:  Why reforestation matters

Reforestation means much more than simply planting a seedling and walking away.

Put simply, reforestation, is replanting trees in areas where they have been lost.

​It's important for many reasons. It helps tackle global warming, keeps soil from eroding, cleans rivers and water supplies, renews and regrows forests, preserves biodiversity and provides a home for all sorts of plants, birds, animals and bugs. All of that is vitally important to the future of the planet. ​

Forest areas around the world have declined by more than one hundred million hectares in twenty years (three times the size of France, or five times the size of England)! Scientists warn that half of the three trillion trees on Earth could disappear by the end of the century if we don’t do something about it. So, reforestation seems like a great idea. And it is. ​

But here's the thing – reforestation is not as easy as it may sound. Imagine trying to build a house by just laying bricks without a solid foundation. That's essentially what reforestation is if you don't have the proper planning and consideration of a range of factors. And not just that. Managed reforestation is just one strategy in restoration. At JUST ONE Tree we're about returning entire landscapes back to how nature intended, not just about planting trees. ​

There are a lot of things which need to happen around putting a tree in the ground to make this possible. So, what makes it so complex? Let’s take a short walk through successful restoration.

Effective reforestation requires a multi-pronged approach

To reforest and ultimately restore an area successfully, you have to think about many different elements.

1. Land ownership and community involvement in reforestation

Land ownership is key to ensuring the forest will live a long and healthy life. Why? 

Involving the local communities, treating them fairly and giving them a voice in land management is vital as they're the ones who know it best.

That's exactly what we do at JUST ONE Tree. We always focus on understanding land rights protections and community involvement, including legal protections and sustainable livelihoods. Our work in Peru, for example, is guided by local communities choosing where and how to plant.

Balancing landscape restoration means carefully assessing and implementing effective strategies. Ensuring these strategies work well with the local environment is vital. For example, we are working with local communities in Kenya to plant the right trees, fight desertification and rebuild farms.

2. Harmonising conservation and community engagement

A second challenge is education and knowledge sharing. It's important to support the local communities to avoid unsustainable practices and make a living in ways that won't harm the planted trees or growing ecosystem.

Local communities who know the land best are a game changer for us. And of course, we prioritise choosing non-invasive native species that can integrate easily with the existing environment.

3. Overcoming logistical hurdles in unstable regions

The logistical challenges of reaching projects in unstable regions like Haiti can throw a spanner in our efforts via (say) natural disasters or political unrest. Some things are simply beyond our control at JUST ONE Tree. But where we can, we make alternative plans, we have contingencies, we put people and the environment first, and we strive onwards. 

These are the key challenges we face, although not the only ones! Remember when we said earlier this is not about just planting and peace out. We are committed to ongoing maintenance like watering, monitoring growth, and protecting the planted trees from threats like pests and wildfires until they are fully established forests. 

Reforestation to restore degraded landscapes is a juggling act. We're always improving and tweaking our approach to ensure we get it right. JUST ONE Tree relies on the expertise of local communities on the ground, global learning, and the expertise of specialists. 

The expertise of JUST ONE Tree
​and why companies partner with us

For years, JUST ONE Tree has been working closely with local communities to make a real difference. We also focus on more than just trees on the ground. From vibrant rainforests to coastal mangroves to underwater kelp restoration, we restore ecosystems where it can have the most impact.

​Our efforts have been acknowledged recently through being recognised as an Actor in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration in Feb 2023.

The costs of reforestation

Reforestation incurs a complex web of expenses. 

The costs of pre-planting groundwork, land preparations (such as the pH level of the soil), training the locals to become reforestation superheroes, and constant monitoring and nurturing of our trees, are rising. Add to that the ever increasing fuel prices and global conflicts causing price increases of just about everything, due to supply chain uncertainties. 

But while we can, we strive to make reforestation affordable and accessible to all, keeping the cost per tree to £1, whilst providing fair and stable incomes to the communities we support.​​

The green future beckons - partner with JUST ONE Tree

Planting trees is just the start of reforestation. There's a lot more to consider like figuring out who owns the land and making sure the trees live long and healthy lives. We at JUST ONE Tree have learned how to do it right and in many different places around the world. 

So join us, not just in planting trees, but in creating forests, restoring ecosystems and improving livelihoods for families around the world.

​The planet and future generations will thank us for the forests we grow today.

Learn about JUST ONE Tree's global mission. ​