Eden Reforestation Projects is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide fair wage employment to impoverished villagers as agents of global forest restoration. Our “Employ to Plant methodology” results in a multiplication of positive socioeconomic and environmental outcomes. The project aims to: Grow, plant and guard large-scale reforestation projects, To prevent deforestation by alleviating extreme poverty through employment. Restore the environment through reforestation efforts, improving fisheries, agriculture and carbon sequestration. Restore vital animal habitat.

The Employ to Plant methodology of employing the local community to reforest their own environment fosters a deep connection between the community and the land. Reforesting and protecting the land encourages the local communities to invest in the success and growth of the trees, which they begin to love and care for. Over time, the improvement of traditional income generating activities such as fishing and farming also help the community understand the direct benefits they receive from a healthy forest. Eden Projects only works with large-scale, long-term projects. By doing so, it provides long term poverty alleviation, and employment while encouraging the local communities to continue their traditional income earning activities simultaneously. When extreme poverty is alleviated, families can then begin investing in micro enterprises, larger numbers of children can be enrolled in school, an increase in access to healthcare is possible and previously poverty stricken families can then afford to save and plan for their future.

Capacity building remains an on-going priority at all Eden Project planting sites. Field leaders, planters and staff members are continuously participating in capacity building training and skill development. Both male and female staff are provided equal opportunity to further develop their field and technical skills to help lead the project and train others to succeed. Monitoring and reporting is conducted using drones, GPS devices, iPhones, and several other forms of technology. The in-country teams are provided with the necessary technology to perform these tasks and communicate the data with the home office, donors and business partners. Based on 14 years of reforestation and restoration experience, Eden Projects uses local knowledge as well as best practices learned over time from the over 200 million trees it has planted.

Eden Reforestation Projects employs a local national director and team to lead the implementation, planning and reporting aspects of the international work. The work is conducted and governed by the local in-country staff that coordinates closely with the main office located in California, USA. Regular coordination and communication includes weekly calls, field visits, monitoring and reporting. Eden Projects Employ to Plant methodology works by employing the local community to reforest their environment, addressing one of the leading causes of deforestation. All too often, poverty stricken families are forced to cut down their forests in order to produce marketable goods to feed their families. By removing this need and providing a source of reliable income, these families can then meet their primary needs and prepare for the future. By empowering the villagers through fair wages and employment, Eden has seen an increase in educational opportunities for the children; increased micro enterprises and an increase in women empowerment and leadership. By working directly with the local community to establish planting sites and local planting strategies, Eden ensures that the local communities feel a sense of commitment and build a relationship to their environment. Through employment, the need to cut down the forest and trees is eliminated which therefore allows the community to focus on restoring their environment while still being able to earn a livable wage. Over time, the impact of the restored land continues to increase dramatically as fisheries improve, water tables replenish, biodiversity returns and so forth.

Eden Reforestation Projects and our partners and donors!