Tag: activity highlight

Activity Highlights: Distributing Seedlings for Citarum River Restoration

Distributing seedlings for planting community forests may seem like a simple task. After all, it’s just handing out some seedlings to some farmers, right?

However, a closer look reveals the complexity and scale of this operation. During the 2023–2024 planting season, the Trees4Trees West Java field team distributed approximately 4.1 million seedlings of 14 different tree species to 18,800 farmers. Each of them could choose up to five different tree species. This seedlings’ distribution is part of our effort to restore areas in the Citarum Watershed, encompassing five sub-watersheds: Cisangkuy, Ciwidey, Cirasea, Ciminyak, and Citarik.

Timber trees were packed 10 to a bag, while fruit trees were packed 8 to a bag. Due to the challenging terrain, with very narrow and steep roads, small pickup trucks were used for delivery. Each truck carried a maximum of 1,500 seedlings to avoid overcrowding and damaging the seedlings.

Adding all this up means there were around 415,000 bags of seedlings individually packed per farmer order and delivered to 176 villages with more than 20,395 planting locations inside a two-month period.

So, on a daily average, 73,000 seedlings were packed into 9,240 bags, each with a unique order quantity and loaded and shipped to the distribution points in 50 trucks. That’s a lot of green for a greener future!

Now, let’s appreciate the hard work and dedication of our field team as they have already completed delivering seedlings to our tree growers around the Citarum Watershed.

The tree seedlings were placed at the closest meeting point so that it will be easier for residents to pick them up to their lands. (Above) Our field team facilitated the distribution to Sukawening Village in the Ciwidey Sub-watershed. (Below) Our field team managed the distribution to Mekarjaya Village in the Cisangkuy Sub-watershed.

As the tree seedlings arrived at the meeting points, our team, along with the local community, unloaded the trees and grouped them according to each dedicated tree grower who would receive them. Our field teams in Cibenda Village (above) and Pacet Village (below) organized the trees to make distribution easier for each tree grower.

Even though heavy rain fell on the distribution day, our team remained committed to distributing tree seedlings to our tree grower partners in each village. Our team delivered seedlings in Sukawening Village (above) and Neglasari Village (below) in the middle of rainy day.

Distributing tree seedlings was sometimes challenging. Our team had to navigate steep and difficult-to-access terrain to reach some villages. In the Cirasea 3 site (above) our team worked hand in hand with the local community to place tree seedlings in locations inaccessible to trucks. (Below) the pickup truck passed through a very narrow road in Loa Village, part of Cirasea 1 site.

The tree-seedlings were all dropped and organized in a meeting point. They are ready to be picked up by the dedicated tree growers.

(Above) Before delivering to local farmers, our field team meticulously checks all seedlings, including the total trees, types, and the dedicated tree growers who are supposed to receive them. (Below) Our field team ensured that our tree growers received the correct seedlings according to their requests as in the initial stage before handing the seedlings to them.

Following the arrival of the tree seedlings in a village around the Ciminyak sub-watershed, local communities enthusiastically welcomed them. They can’t wait to receive the tree seedlings they have been eagerly anticipating.

The smiles of the local people are invaluable as they receive trees and organic fertilizers from our team. We are grateful to have an opportunity to support them and see the joy on the faces of our tree grower partners in the Cirasea 3 site!

We were delighted to witness schoolchildren actively assisting their parents in transporting the tree seedlings back home in Weninggalih Village.

Experiencing our tree growers bringing their trees home was truly thrilling. They transported the trees from the meeting points in a variety of methods, such as carrying them on their backs with bamboo sticks or traditional baskets, placing them on carts, or utilizing off-road motorcycles. Shortly thereafter, they will proceed to plant these trees in their fields in the Citarum watershed surrounding.

Nursery Highlights: Dedicated and Coordinated Trees4Trees Nursery Teams

In the operations of Trees4Trees’ nurseries, we place a high priority on strong coordination and cultivate a culture of hard work and perseverance within our team to nurture tree seedlings and achieve successful growth and thriving saplings.

In addition to seedling cultivation, our nursery teams are also responsible for the development of essential facilities within the nursery.

Explore further through images we captured below to learn about our dedicated team’s daily efforts to enhance the nursery and provide essential supporting facilities.

Every morning, our nursery team holds a daily briefing to coordinate tasks within the nursery. (above) The Ciminyak nursery team and (below) the Soreang nursery team conduct their morning briefings before starting work.

(Above) As tree seedlings flourish and thrive, we can see green seedbeds in the open–air areas of Cirasea nursery. (Below) Large shading net roofs are installed to provide shade to Bur-flower tree seedbeds, promoting optimal growth and preventing excessive sunlight, especially in this dry season.

Soreang Nursery team (above) is installing plastic plant covers to the sowing seedbeds. The plant covers the purpose of keeping the humidity and protecting the little seedlings from rainwater runoff, wind, excessive sunlight, and pests’ attack. Pati Nursery team (below) is protecting avocado seedlings with plastic plant covers.

It has been months since we began the Soreang Nursery operation. The Soreang Nursery team has already installed a name plate, marking the location of Soreang Nursery as the newest addition to Trees4Trees’ nurseries in Bandung regency.

Recently, our team welcomed Samantha Davolos, a scientist from one of our partners, Plant for the Planet (PFTP), who visited our nursery in Pati to gain insights into the plants we have grown on behalf of PFTP. In addition to the nursery visit in Pati nursery, the PFTP’s scientist also toured our Kebumen nursery. Trees4Trees and PFTP have been collaborating on tree-planting for the past six years since 2017.

Ensuring the optimal growth of seedlings requires the essential task of clearing excessive weeds from the planting areas. In the Kebumen nursery, our team diligently worked to remove weeds around the seedbeds where our seedlings are thriving.

The Cirasea team has recently constructed a new ‘saung,’ a traditional resting shelter made from bamboo, wood, and straw, as an additional support facility within the nursery area. This new ‘saung‘ will provide a resting place as well as an open-air discussion area. (Below) The new ‘saung‘ is fully finished and is being used by our nursery workers for taking a rest.

activity highlight nursery nursery activity

Activity Highlights: Educating Farmers through Community Engagement

As part of Trees4Trees’ tree-planting process, our team in the field conducts community engagement sessions aimed at providing farmers with knowledge and information about tree-planting conditions and organic farming principles.

At this stage, our team also enters into partnership agreements with local farmers to establish them as tree grower partners in the upcoming reforestation program and ensuring the collection of data on farmers’ identities and land ownership details for the planting locations.

Explore more about our tree-planting consultation and community engagement activities!

This year, we’re partnering with more women farmers in various tree-planting areas. Our team in the Cisangkuy site (below) has already finished the socialization stage in Mekarsari Village and the Pati site (above) recently completed the tree-planting socialization session in Jrahi Village. In Pati, around 40% of tree grower partners are women, while in Cisangkuy, it’s about 30%. We encourage women farmers to participate in our tree planting program as part of our commitment to promoting women’s empowerment in our tree-planting operations.

The tree-planting partnership entails an agreement between local farmers and Trees4Trees. Before signing the agreement paper, our teams in Kebumen (above) and Ciminyak 3 (below) sites provide a detailed explanation of the tree-planting conditions. The partnership is formed based on the local farmers’ willingness to join the program, with informed consent.

After comprehending and accepting the planting conditions and program partnership, local farmers in the Mandalahaji Village of Cirasea 3 planting site (above) and Sindangkerta Village within the Ciminyak 2 site (below) proceed to sign the agreement form. The agreement encompasses commitments to practicing sustainable farming, abstaining from the use of environmentally harmful chemicals, refraining from land clearing, not employing underage workers, and safeguarding the conservation areas surrounding the planting sites throughout the collaboration.

In Nagreg Village, which is part of the Citarik site, a tree grower partner is in the process of signing the planting agreement. Alongside distributing copies of the agreement letter and organic farming brochures as instructional materials, Trees4Trees also provide each farmer with a hotline number they can use to report issues and ask for help throughout the partnership.

Our teams at the Cirasea 1 site (above) and Ciminyak 1 site (below) are actively sharing valuable insights and information with local farmers in Mekarwangi village and Tanjungwangi, respectively. This includes details about planting conditions, scheduling, and the principles of organic farming. The information covers aspects like estimating planting hole sizes, distributing tree seedlings, and setting up planting schedules.

A participant from Cinangela Village, part of the Cirasea 3 site, is acquiring knowledge on the organic cultivation of timber and versatile trees like fruit trees. This valuable knowledge is being obtained from a brochure shared by the Trees4Trees team. The session also covers organic cultivation knowledge-sharing for a diverse range of trees, including timber and fruit trees.

The knowledge-sharing session with farmers includes a demonstration of how to create planting holes. The Ciwidey team is providing a practical example of the proper size and depth for planting holes to farmers in the villages of Sukawening.

Our team from Cirasea 2 (above) is in discussions with farmers from Baleendah and Citarik team (below) is in discussion with farmers from Babakan Peteuy villages, regarding planting conditions. These discussions take place in a traditional Sundanese meeting house with an open-air design constructed from bamboo and wood. Sundanese traditional architecture is widely recognized in Indonesia for its eco-friendly design.

activity from the field activity highlight tree planting activity

Activity Highlights: Ensuring the Data Accuracy through Data Collection

Scanning planting location barcode through GEKO App_Trees4Trees

Our field team is currently in the process of data collection, a crucial stage within Trees4Trees tree-planting operation. This phase is dedicated to gathering accurate data, photographs, and essential information about our farmer partners as the tree growers and the designated planting locations.

During this stage, our proprietary GEKO app is employed as a digital tool, allowing us to precisely document the farmers and planting locations. This technology is integral to our commitment to transparency and delivering accurate reports to our donors and sponsors.

Witness our data collection efforts across various operational regions through the images provided below!

To identify the tree-planting sites, our field team affixes barcodes in each farmer’s field. In the Trees4Trees Cirasea 3 site (above), our team is attaching barcodes in Pangauban Village, Bandung Regency. Similarly, in the Trees4Trees Citarik site (below), our team is applying barcodes in Dampit Village, Bandung Regency.

The barcode has been successfully affixed to a tree in the field of one of our farmer partners in Beketel Village, Pati, Central Java. This barcode serves to identify the specific tree-planting location on the farmer’s land.

After attaching the barcode, our team will scan it using the GEKO app on a smartphone. This process collects accurate location coordinates for the designated planting site. One of our team members at the Ciminyak 2 site is currently scanning the barcode in Mekarsari village, West Bandung Regency.

After affixing the barcode to a farmer’s planting location in Malasari village, Bandung Regency, our team at the Cisangkuy site engaged in discussions with the farmer who owns the field. This process involves finalizing the land’s data.

Reaching the planting locations and gathering precise data isn’t an easy task. At times, the tracks are challenging, featuring rocky and steep terrain. Our team often has to traverse these paths for hours. Together with farmers and local residents, our team at the Cirasea 2 site is currently enroute to collect data on planting locations.

Our team at the Ciminyak 3 site is capturing a barcode that has been affixed to one of the planting locations. Some of these planting sites feature steep inclines and are susceptible to erosion. This emphasizes the importance of planting more trees in these areas to mitigate the risk of landslides and erosion.

In addition to gathering planting location data, our field team is also tasked with collecting data from the farmers. The team in Kebumen (above) and at the Ciminyak 1 site (below) is verifying farmers’ data by conducting in-person meetings and interviews related to their identity and land data designated for planting areas.

After gathering the farmers’ data, including identity documents and self-photographs of the farmers, our team in Ciwidey inputs the data from Sukamulya village into the GEKO app.

Our team in Cirasea 1 is inputting farmers’ data into the GEKO app. Through technology, we record the data of farmers, planting locations, and all living trees. This information will be integrated with our website to display them on a digital map accessible to our supporters. This serves as a gesture of appreciation for their commitment to tree planting with us.

activity highlight activity in the field planting trees tree planting activity

Activity Highlights: Engaging Local Communities to Promote Tree Planting Initiative

Field Facilitator Induction Gunungsari (02)_trees4trees tree planting program_reforestation_Pati

In line with our commitment to empowering the local community, we have hired members of the community as Field Facilitators. Their crucial role involves connecting the tree planting program with local farmers, who become tree grower partners, as well as engaging with other local communities.

Currently, we have successfully completed the induction sessions for Field Facilitators in all working units throughout Central and West Java. During these sessions, our team provided environmental knowledge and equipped the facilitators with the necessary skills to engage with local communities and promote the tree-planting program.

Let us look at our induction activities in various working areas through the images below!

Field facilitators Induction 2023_trees4trees tree planting program_reforestation_Cirasea 1 Bandung_Citarum — Trees4Trees Cirasea 1 unit, West Java

Starting the field facilitators’ induction session in Cihanyir village, Trees4Trees team of Cirasea 1 unit presented the overview of tree-planting program and achievements as well as organization vision and mission to participants from nine villages in Bandung regency, West Java.

Field facilitators Induction 2023_trees4trees tree planting program_reforestation_Cirasea 3 Bandung_Citarum — Trees4Trees Cirasea 3 Unit, West Java

During the Cirasea 3 unit’s field facilitators’ induction session in Mandalahaji villages, Bandung regency, Trees4Trees emphasized fairness, equality, and commitment against child labor and coercion in the tree-planting program operation. The session was attended by 60 facilitators from 15 villages.

The Trees4Trees team in the Pati site shared knowledge about tree planting programs during the field facilitators’ induction session held in Kedungsari Village, Pati Regency. The Pati unit successfully completed the field facilitators’ induction sessions in all 14 villages within the area.

Field Facilitator Induction TA Barat_Balaidesa Sukomulyo_20230703 (3)_trees4trees_tree planting_kebumen_reforestation — Trees4Trees Kebumen Unit, Central Java

(Above) During the field facilitator session in Sukomulyo village, Kebumen regency, participants discussed field facilitators’ tasks and responsibilities in Q and A session. (Below) Similarly, in Ciwidey, West Java, the induction session covered the same topics. The Kebumen unit completed sessions for 37 villages, while Ciwidey covered 24 villages.

Field facilitators Induction 2023_trees4trees tree planting program_reforestation_Ciwidey Bandung_Citarum — Trees4Trees Ciwidey Unit, West Java

Field facilitators Induction 2023_trees4trees tree planting program_reforestation_Cisangkuy Bandung_Citarum — Trees4Trees Cisangkuy Unit, West Java

(Above) The Cisangkuy unit of Trees4Trees was discussing incentives during the field facilitators’ induction in Cipongkor village. (Below) In Ciminyak 2, the team was discussing a similar topic. Essentially, the field facilitators’ incentives are based on productivity and work results. Cisangkuy has completed the induction sessions covering three districts: Banjaran, Cangkuang, and Cimaung, while Ciminyak 2 covers Sindangkerta and Cipongkor district.

Field facilitators Induction 2023_trees4trees tree planting program_reforestation_Ciminyak 2 Bandung_Citarum — Trees4Trees Ciminyak 2 Unit, West Java

Field facilitators Induction 2023_trees4trees tree planting program_reforestation_Ciminyak 3 Bandung_Citarum.jpg — Trees4Trees Ciminyak 3 Unit, West Java

Field facilitators play a crucial role in establishing connections with local communities, helping prepare farmer training, distributing tree seedlings to farmers, collecting farmer data, monitoring tree planting preparations, and reporting and documenting activities. During the induction session, field facilitators from the Ciminyak 3 unit (above) and Ciminyak 1 unit (below) were focused on learning their respective responsibilities.

Field facilitators Induction 2023_trees4trees tree planting program_reforestation_Ciminyak 1 Bandung_Citarum — Trees4Trees Ciminyak 1 Unit, West Java

Field facilitators Induction 2023_trees4trees tree planting program_reforestation_Cirasea 2 Bandung_Citarum — Trees4Trees Cirasea 2 Unit, West Java

Field facilitators are responsible for collecting lands and farmers data. In the induction sessions of both Cirasea 2 unit (above) and Citarik unit (below), they discussed the criteria that local farmers must meet to become partners in the tree planting initiatives.

Field facilitators Induction 2023_trees4trees tree planting program_reforestation_Citarik Bandung_Citarum — Trees4Trees Citarik Unit, West Java

activity highlight activity in the field field facilitators induction reforestation tree planting program

Tag: activity highlight

Activity Highlights: Distributing Seedlings for Citarum River Restoration

Nursery Highlights: Dedicated and Coordinated Trees4Trees Nursery Teams

Activity Highlights: Educating Farmers through Community Engagement

Activity Highlights: Ensuring the Data Accuracy through Data Collection

Activity Highlights: Engaging Local Communities to Promote Tree Planting Initiative

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