Conservation lasts when it also helps people earn a living. If a tree is worth more standing than cut, or a nursery puts food on a family’s table, the community has every reason to protect it. Our Sustainable Livelihoods work builds that link between green work and household income.
The community tree nursery
At the centre of this work is our community tree nursery, which produces seedlings every year; our current target is about 10,000 seedlings annually. The seedlings supply our own restoration and school planting, and the nursery gives young people practical, marketable skills: seed collection, potting, watering, grading, and keeping plants healthy until they are ready to plant out.
Ways green work can pay
- Seedling production. Raising indigenous and fruit tree seedlings for planting drives, schools and households.
- Nursery management. Running and caring for a nursery is a skilled job that can lead to employment or self-employment.
- Tree-based farming. Combining trees with crops can improve soils and add income from fruit, fodder or timber over time.
Training that stays in the community
We pair nursery work with training and with our ICT program, so participants can build both green and digital skills. The aim is for knowledge to stay in Kawangware and the surrounding neighbourhoods, not leave with a visiting trainer.
Support livelihoods
Your donation can fund seedlings, nursery materials and training. If you would like to volunteer in the nursery or buy seedlings for a planting project, please contact us.
