Sustainability

Old growth tree

The project will ensure the sustainability of outcomes through developing a deeper appreciation and understanding of the changing environment as well as learning and implementing practical skills in investments for the future in a manner leading to ownership. This will include engagement with local and provincial authorities as they participate in and follow the project progress. The bi-annual education sessions at both the schools and villages are expected to educate the community members about climate change trends and measures they can take to safeguard themselves against its negative effects. These education sessions will reinforce the principles demonstrated with the hardware solutions and tree plantations assisting villagers to understand the reasons behind taking these actions. By educating at the schools as well as in the centre of the villages it is hoped that the next generation will grasp the messages about climate change and adopt sustainable, responsible environment management practices long into the future.

While tree forestry inputs will be provided to committed farmers at subsidized rates, each family must demonstrate their full participation and properly prepare the fields and prepare the necessary holes and brush clearing before receiving the seedlings. They must further commit to keeping the plantation weeded for the first 3 years (before the plantation fills in and shades out the weeds), as well as thinned and trimmed. Staff will ensure that households have a clear plan for the thinning and sale of trees in future years and connections will be established to multiple wholesale buyers and information on market rates. Producers will be encouraged to work together to negotiate better prices with wholesale buyers.

The nursery will also be established in a sustainable fashion with planned phase out of subsidies that communities are aware of; so once the official project has been complete the nursery staff will be able to continue growing quality seedlings to sell for profit. The staff will identify and promote other high demand trees (including fruit trees) and continue to produce quality seedlings for local villagers encouraging responsible land management, care for the environment and promoting food security.

Ownership of hardware outputs will be ensured by requiring a significant community contribution. In the case of ponds and water tanks, families will be required to provide at least 50% of the total cost of each unit. Farmers will be encouraged to fence off ponds as well which will eliminate erosion around the pond, usually caused by cattle. Years of experience in concrete ring production will ensure that design and materials are of high quality which will serve households for many decades to come. Effective ring producers will keep all equipment in order to continue production on a private basis.