Launched in 2011, the Give a Ghaf is an initiative aiming at boosting awareness on the local ecosystem, protecting fauna and flora from the dangers or desertification, mass construction, water depletion and extinction.
An indigenous species, specifically of the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, the Ghaf is a drought – tolerant, evergreen tree which is, possibly, the sturdiest plant of the harsh desert environment. The Ghaf is able to withstand very low rainfall and still stay green.
With over 75,000 seeds planted since the initiative started, the Give a Ghaf Tree Planting Program is not only helping bringing shade and freshness to the Middle East, it also turns CO2 emissions into clean, fresh air, for generations to come.

Arid forests have significant roles and deliver ecosystem services which are summarized as follows (FAO, 2010): biodiversity conservation, habitat provision, soil stabilization, erosion and desertification control, climate change mitigation and adaptation, providing ecosystem goods such as fodder, wood, herbs and medicines, and cultural services such a recreation and aesthetics.

The Give a Ghaf aim is to unite all Emirates in one national project and to officially dedicate the country’s efforts to green the desert in a sustainable way for the future generations and make them participate at different levels:
- Learn about the Living Desert, it’s interdependence of species and the role it played in the heritage of the UAE - through educational programs and tours.
- Research on the application of local trees for medicinal and agricultural uses.
- Support vital ecosystem process
- Capture CO2 and produce O2
- Offer recreational activities to residents and tourists.

Government, Private and Public sectors, Educational entities and the general public are all called to act and engage for the following benefits:

- Environmental: propagation and establishment of indigenous trees, saving water , enriching the soil, fighting desertification and providing habitat for indigenous fauna (Conservation/Biodiversity)

- Educational: Planting seedlings and create awareness about the local environment, agriculture, desertification, climate change…

- Cultural: Reconnect current generations of Emiratis with their heritage. Rich with diversity and closely linked to the tree species of the UAE - Desert survival, recipes, medicinal properties, etc.

- Social & Community outreach: Create community by welcoming resident & tourists - incorporating the underprivileged community.

- Recreational: Experiences linked to the forest (Adventure park, Horse riding, Night walks).

- Scientific Research: Medicinal properties/water uptake/carbon uptake/…

- Legacy: Long term commitment to the UAE creating ”Forests” for all to benefit from.

- Scalable impact: Set a benchmark and be replicated through out the emirates.

In the past 8 years we have partnered with different stakeholders/land owners: municipalities, schools and universities, farmers, natural reserves...
We ask for land and initial irrigation in exchange for trees.
Irrigation is requested only for the first 2 to 4 years to establish the roots and should be then gradually removed to allow the trees to survive on their own as per their genetic nature.
Monitoring is done after a month from planting and later after 6 months and then after an additional year. When mortality occurs trees are replanted within the first 2 years.retyt67llw

Clear evidence is shown through urban beautification, cleaner air, cooler temperatures, increase of birds and wildlife in general. As an interesting secondary result, there is an increase in engagement by the local population who feels closer to its roots and who learns the importance of a sustainable lifestyle related to life in the desert.

Land is a big challenge, irrigation too. Government support would help by allocating urban and non urban areas where to plant.
Financial support would help to invest into technologies such as 'water from air' using solar energy.

at the moment we depend on sponsorships and partenrships

In general, arid zones, or dry lands, have limited irregular rainfall, high temperatures and high evapotranspiration. Scarcity of water is not the only factor which limits growth of natural forests, or makes the management of planted forests challenging: soil is another factor; it is mainly characterized by having fragile structure and low natural fertility, due to leaching of nutrients and weathering of minerals over a long time (FAO, 2010).

Due to these harsh environmental conditions, arid lands are more vulnerable to desertification. Thus forests in arid zones are important in preventing and combating desertification. Their protective functions, a regulating ecosystem service, in arid zones is more important than elsewhere.

In the wild, one Ghaf tree seed out of 5,000 becomes a tree! When we started planting these seeds we had a 10% success rate. Today, thanks to many trials on sand/ soil/ fertilizers/ genetic conditions... we've reached 40/50% success rate!

www.giveaghaf.com