WeForest

And that’s a wrap 🎬 As 2024 comes to a close, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported WeForest this year. This has been a milestone year for us as we hit the incredible figure of 100 million trees grown. Behind every tree is the hard work of local heroes and the power of collective action. The financial backing of our partners and donors has made this possible – enabling us to grow trees, restore ecosystems, remove carbon, strengthen livelihoods and protect biodiversity. Beyond donations, every like on a video, share of a blog, and comment on a post has helped us spread the message that restoring and protecting forests is key to a sustainable future. We can’t wait to see what we’ll grow together in 2025. Thank you 🌳

Heroes of the Forest: Meet Ngosa 🐝 In the last of our ‘Heroes of the Forest’ series, today we’re introducing you to Ngosa, one of the farmers making a huge impact on Zambia’s miombo forest. Pictured here with his son, Laxon, Ngosa is part of our Mukungule project, where sustainable beekeeping is transforming lives and protecting nature. Nearly 750 beehives have already been installed across the community, helping farmers like Ngosa earn a stable income while encouraging them to care for their forests. Beekeeping is more than just a source of honey - this livelihood provides farmers with the skills and income to improve their quality of life, enabling access to better healthcare, education and sanitation. As more locals see the benefits of sustainable beekeeping, communities become stronger custodians of the forest. It costs around $135 to equip a farmer like Ngosa with one beehive. By supporting WeForest, you’re helping us expand these efforts, supporting more local heroes and custodians of the land, to restore more forests and create a lasting impact on both people and the planet. Find out how here: https://lnkd.in/ent-PzH5 #HeroesoftheForest 📷: Dave Bircher

Heroes of the Forest: Meet Habtamu ☕️ Welcome back to our ‘Heroes of the Forest’ series, where we introduce you to the incredible people behind forest restoration – the local heroes whose work is making a global impact. Today, we’d like you to meet Habtamu, a 35-year-old father of two from Ethiopia, who’s building a brighter future for his family and community through sustainable coffee farming. With support from our Gewocha Forest project, Habtamu received fruit and vegetable seedlings, along with training to set up a productive agroforestry plot. On his 0.25-hectare farm, he’s planted banana, avocado and mango trees, which provide shade for his coffee plants and create a balanced ecosystem that helps protect the soil and increase his harvests. Since his first harvest, Habtamu now earns around 100 USD each week and has enough fresh vegetables to feed his family while selling the extra produce. His first coffee harvest alone brought in over $1,120 - showing how sustainable farming can transform lives and restore the environment. Providing one farmer like Habtamu with the seedlings and training to establish an agroforestry plot costs around $60. Your support can help more local heroes grow thriving, sustainable farms that benefit both their communities and the planet. If you’d like to be part of this journey, find out more here: https://lnkd.in/emdV748A #HeroesoftheForest 📷: Aklilu Negussie Mekuria

Restoring forests means regenerating ecosystems, protecting biodiversity and creating spaces where nature can thrive once more. By focusing on restoring native habitats, we bring back the plants and animals that rely on these ecosystems, helping to rebuild nature’s delicate balance. This is crucial if we want to tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. Here’s how we do it ⬇️ 🎞️ 🎥: Luke Katemba and The Rusty Mokoro

We’re #hiring for a Carbon Project Technical Lead 🌳 This person will provide carbon accounting technical leadership on WeForest’s carbon project development process. Learn more about the skills and experience we're looking for, and how to apply below 👇

Heroes of the Forest: Meet Exhildah 🛡️ Here we have the third story in our ‘Heroes of the Forest’ series, where we introduce you to the incredible people who dedicate their lives to protecting and restoring our planet. Today, we’d like you to meet Exhildah, a 49-year-old farmer, mother, teacher and an inspiring Honorary Forest Officer (HFO) at our Copperbelt project in Zambia. In her role as an HFO, Exhildah works with the Forestry Department and community members to safeguard the beautiful Imanda mushitu forest from illegal logging and overuse, ensuring it remains a source of life for future generations. Equipping one HFO with the training and tools they need to protect the forest costs around $100 USD per month, or $1200 a year. With your support, we can make sure more local heroes have everything they need to protect these vital ecosystems. #HeroesoftheForest 🎞️: Luke Katemba

Our thoughts on Black Friday 🖤 At WeForest, we lead with stories of positivity and hope. Climate anxiety is real, and we know that people are far more likely to act if they feel empowered, if they believe their actions make a difference, and if they know that it’s not too late to turn things around. It really isn’t too late. Change doesn’t require decades to start showing results. We can make a real difference in both the short and long term. In the 15 years since WeForest began, we’ve grown 100 million trees alongside local communities. Now, we’re aiming to grow another 100 million in just five years. Each of those trees represents something bigger than itself: meaningful jobs, opportunities for women-led businesses, restored biodiversity for fungi, elephants and everything in between, and forests that help our planet breathe. So, instead of adding to the cart this year, why not add to the forest? This Black Friday, support small businesses in your community or choose eco-friendly brands. Whether it’s growing a tree with WeForest or donating in someone’s name, every small decision can lead to a big impact. You matter and you have the power to create change 💚

What makes WeForest different? We don’t just plant trees - we grow lasting solutions for people, nature, and climate 🌍 Watch to learn more about how WeForest makes a real impact 📼

Heroes of the Forest: Growing mushrooms 🍄 Welcome to our ‘Heroes of the Forest’ series, where we introduce you to the incredible people behind forest restoration – the local heroes whose work restoring forests has a global impact. Today, meet this dedicated group of female-led mushroom producers from our Katanino project in Zambia. Here, the women stand proudly in front of their ‘mushroom house’, a space where they can grow mushrooms under controlled conditions to ensure they have the right temperature, humidity and airflow. Mushroom growing is one of several forest-friendly income opportunities we’re supporting, helping women build sustainable livelihoods that also protect the forest. Last year, our pilot scheme partnered with nearly 30 women, training them to cultivate and harvest mushrooms up to three times a year. This program pairs climate-resilient green livelihoods with local market demand, creating a reliable income source for members of this community. Your support can help expand this project and support more women to protect their forest whilst also providing for their families. It costs around US$175 to equip a woman in Katanino with the training and infrastructure needed to become a successful mushroom producer for 3 years. If you’d like to be part of this journey and support women like this, find out more: https://lnkd.in/gx37rjuR #HeroesoftheForest 📷: From left to right standing; Iscar Mukubulo, Hiness Mukubulo, Beauty Kalunga, Febby Mbulubaya, Dorcas Kachansu and Getrude Cholobesa. Front row; Grace Musonda and Ruth Chengo. Credit: Dave Bircher.

Heroes of the Forest 🌱 We’re kicking off our ‘Heroes of the Forest’ series with an introduction from Paul Mwale, our Nursery and Agroforestry Coordinator at the Katanino Forest Reserve in Zambia. Paul wants to introduce you to his team of local heroes - Racheal, Jane , Sydney and Paxina - who, this year alone, have grown over 320 000 seedlings and are well on their way to reaching more than half a million by 2025. The team focuses on five main tree species that provide essential resources to the community: nitrogen for farmers' fields, food for goats and timber for families. By growing these trees, they’re reducing pressure on natural forests and helping to build sustainable livelihoods for local families. Growing up as the youngest of nine siblings, Paul saw firsthand the challenges of drought and fertilizer shortages affecting his family and community. This experience fuels his commitment - or “obsession” as he likes to call it - to making a real difference for others. Together with his team, he’s focused on implementing sustainable farming practices that reduce reliance on fertilizers and water. The trees they grow aren’t just seedlings; they’re food, resources and hope for a sustainable future. Stay tuned as we introduce you to more local heroes over the coming weeks, and if you'd like to support our work with people like Paul and his team, find out more here: https://lnkd.in/en69vsmV 🌳 #HeroesoftheForest 📷: Dave Bircher