Tents4Trees – making a difference
Dancover has been planting 218,000 trees in countries like Zambia, Myanmar, and Madagascar for several years. We have significantly contributed to restoring crucial ecosystems and combating climate change through various projects. One of our significant achievements is collaborating with the Eden Reforestation Project to restore mangrove estuaries in Mahajanga, Madagascar.
Why Madagascar?
Madagascar is one of the world’s top biodiversity conservation priorities due to its unique species and severe habitat loss. Over 90% of Madagascar's primary forests have been destroyed, significantly affecting local communities living in extreme poverty. The loss of mangrove estuaries along the coastline has led to severe consequences, including mudflat washing into the ocean, the collapse of local fisheries, and increased vulnerability to hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods.
Mangroves - the miracle tree
Mangroves are often called the 'miracle tree' because they can protect shorelines from erosion and safeguard lives and properties during extreme weather. These coastal forests also act as nurseries for local fish, supporting livelihoods and nutrition for coastal communities. Mangroves are exceptionally efficient at carbon storage, holding up to four times more carbon than other tropical forests. Just two mangrove trees can sequester up to 1 ton of CO2, making them invaluable in the fight against climate change.
Our concept TENTS4TREES
As mentioned, we have been planting trees for several years to combat global climate change. The latest project was restoring mangrove estuaries in Mahajanga in Northwest Madagascar. In cooperation with Eden Reforestation Projects, we have helped restore the coastal forests to prevent further erosion, protect low-lying farmland, and protect the food supply for the Madagascar population.
WHAT DID WE HELP ACHIEVE:
- Successful mangrove reforestation
- Improved shoreline stability, reducing erosion
- Enhanced ocean health and local biodiversity
- Economic development and job creation for local communities
- Increased biomass for carbon storage
Past projects
50.000 trees planted in Myanmar in 2020/2021
Myanmar is the poorest country in ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations), severely threatened by global warming. Myanmar has a population of 55 million people - app. 25 % or more live below the poverty line. Myanmar has already lost over 1 million ha mangrove forest since 1980 and is rapidly losing most of its mangrove forests, with only 16% left. Myanmar is therefore very vulnerable to climate change. Low-lying paddy fields have already been abandoned due to sea-level rise with salt intrusion. Over 60% of the country’s rice production comes from this region.
The goals of the project:
- Fight against climate change and global warming
- Restore mangrove forests
- Secure food production and security
20.000 trees planted in Luanshya district in Zambia in 2019/2020
In Zambia, poverty and environmental degradation are closely linked. Indeed, Zambia is one of the world’s poorest countries and has one of the highest rates of deforestation. In the Copperbelt province, large numbers of miners have been forced into charcoal production after the collapse of the mining industry, leading to even more deforestation.
Restoring the Miombo woodlots
Dancover has become part of the effort to restore Miombo woodlots, supporting sustainable socio-economic development and promoting a market for a green alternative to charcoal. The Miombo woodland is a unique African environment and important habitat for wildlife. By employing assisted natural regeneration of Miombo woodlots (plots of native woodland on farms) and introducing economic activities such as bioenergy and honey production, local communities can restore their forests. Thus, the farmer population benefits from diversified jobs, higher incomes and new skills. In short, we help locally and globally at the same time by planting trees, which over time will store Co2.
The goals of the project:
- Restore native Miombo woodlots on smallholder farms
- Promote sustainable exploitation of Miombo woodland and sustainable forest management
- Promote economic development locally
- Create more biomass to store Co2
Carbon calculation
In the Copperbelt province, the aboveground biomass in Miombo woodlands can store an average of 145.4 tons of CO2 per hectare after 20 years.
Dancover has now planted our tree no.
218186
