Projects TFG Supports

Real Projects in Difficult Places
TFG supports real-world projects that plant and save trees in areas of turmoil, war and conflict. Currently, TFG is working to raise funding and support for two projects; one in Chiapas, Mexico and one in northern Uganda.

Grassroots Women Association for Development (GWAD) Tree Planting
GWAD is a grassroots organization focused on reducing poverty in the war torn Gulu district of Northern Uganda. Twenty years of violent fighting in the region has displaced 90% of the population – nearly half a million people.  In doing so, the area’s forests have been virtually destroyed, significantly compounding existing social and economic catastrophes.
 
Among several GWAD initiatives is a tree planting project designed to reforest areas such as the Abera reserve forest along Gulu-Kitgum road, preventing soil erosion and flooding while replenishing resources.

Trees are planted by local volunteers, so funding goes directly to the purchase of the trees themselves, necessary supplies and periodic GWAD field visits to monitor progress. 

TFG was introduced to GWAD by the Community Action Fund for Women in Africa (CAFWA).  In addition to CAFWA, GWAD is in collaboration with the NGO Forum; Uganda Media Women Association; Forum for Women in Democracy; and the Surface Uganda Forest Authority.

Scolel Te, or “Trees that Grow” is a community-based forestry project in Chiapas, Mexico responsible for over 200,000 indigenous, carbon dioxide-sucking trees.  Local farmers are the backbone of the project, doing the majority of replanting and tending to reforested areas.  Projects are closely monitored by Ambio, the local office for Scolel, and farmers are paid according to the amount of carbon sequestered by their trees.  In an area where poverty levels exceed 50%, these funds provide a critical source of supplemental income.

In the end, local farmers find new sources of income and our planet recovers a few of the trees lost to rapid deforestation.  The epitome of a successful forestry project,Scolel Te receives funding from an unlikely group of supporters, including Formula 1 Racingwho has contributed approximately $100,000 annually since 1997 to offset emissions from their race cars. Rockers Pink Floyd and Cold Play are also regular contributors to Scolel Te.

TFG is offsetting all its emissions (mostly for our international travel) and has purchased 80 tons of CO2 reductions from Scolel Te.