Protecting forests and land
Read about our forest governance approach."It is the one who sleeps in the house, who knows where the roof is leaking. The communities are at the forefront, they have the knowledge and great capacity to adapt"
Alexis Sompougdou – Tree Aid's Forest Governance Advisor
What is our forest governance approach?
We campaign for forests to be managed by the people who depend on them. We work with communities and local governments so they can agree rules for using forests and their resources.
Our forest governance approach is key to achieving the goals of our new strategy.
By 2040, we want to see -
- A thriving natural environment where deforestation and land degradation rates have been reversed.
- Resilient communities who have the skills and tools needed to manage their
landscapes and grow their businesses. - Decentralised forest governance policies that will put the control of local assets into local hands.
Why is this needed?
In Africa, trees are being cut down at a rate faster than anywhere else in the world. Forests are being cleared to make room for other things like farmland — this is known as deforestation.
When you rely on trees for your food and income, it is essential that you can protect and manage them. For communities living in the drylands of Africa, this can be difficult if you don’t know who is in charge of the forests or land. As a result, many of the people that we work with are unable to manage and use trees in the way that they need.
How do we help?
For lasting change, local people need to protect and manage the forests and land they depend on. Working with local people, organisations, and policymakers, we do everything we can to limit the damage of practice like cutting down forests for farms — known as deforestation. We also encourage things like allowing land to recover after animals have grazed on it.
We also work to influence policy — locally, nationally, and internationally — pushing for change that protects trees, people, and our planet.
