We listened to families and leaders and two things struck me most powerfully – the desire of the Batwa to maintain their connection with their ancient traditions and their determination to find a way forward in the toughest of circumstances.

Support Uganda’s indigenous Batwa community to plant trees and create lasting change today. For one week only, all donations will be generously matched by the Big Give. That's DOUBLE the impact for people and planet this festive season.

In the heart of south-western Uganda, lies Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A lush green sanctuary with over 160 tree species and nearly half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.

​Kenya has launched a new public holiday - National Tree Growing Day! And one of our projects in Upper Imenti Forest was selected to host the tree planting activities as part of this year’s celebrations.

“With its free-standing veteran oaks in semi-grazed grassland, the landscape at Breite resembles an English medieval deer park such as Richmond, Windsor or Blenheim. But here they are all maidens, whereas in England most of the oaks are pollards.”

Meet, Margaret, Miriam and Judith, smallholder farmers from Kisembe sub-location who are planting trees to build a more sustainable future and inspiring others do the same.

“We are often looking at the big picture, seeing landscapes being steadily restored. We see the forests and the woods but we also care about the individual tree.”

In Meru County, Kenya, Dorothy Naitore stands proudly amongst tree saplings. She explains how new trees are being planted in her homeland, and the benefits they bring.

A key element of this project is the creation of tree nurseries where local residents can grow native and threatened tree species.

“This act of vandalism is all the harder to come to terms with because of its sheer pointlessness. And out of this our collective mourning of this tree has revealed a curious paradox about our relationship to nature in the UK.”

This summer, two unforgettable family days unfolded at the enchanting Woodpecker Farm in Oxfordshire.

In the past few years, we have supported many projects, from urban planting in central Glasgow to community buyouts on the Isle of Skye and we would love to continue further with this.

There is an urgent need for a holistic approach to restore degraded areas and protect this important water catchment area. One way to do this is through community-led restoration.

In the UK, we desperately need more native trees. If you’re looking for a way to make a positive impact on the environment, join us this October for Plantober!

Summer ebbs away, the evenings begin to draw in and it won’t be long before the clocks change. And so the tree planting season gets under way.

Against the backdrop of a growing climate crisis, the Africa Climate Summit brought together governments, NGOs and philanthropists, to set out concrete and sustainable solutions for a climate-resilient Africa.

If these trees are not going to cause a danger to public safety, are they not best left to stand and fall in their own time?

In Dundori Forest, Kenya, a group of dedicated tree scouts are earnestly monitoring, watering and protecting newly planted trees.

“As I perch here quietly on a fallen log I feel a gentle internal shift towards organic time. It is a peaceful summer’s day in the forest, the sun shining through the oak and beech canopy.”

How we're supporting local community forest associations and self-help groups in Nakuru County Kenya to restore and protect Dundori Forest.