Tag: planting trees

Trees4Trees Joins Forces Youth: Reviving Fire-Affected Lands of Merbabu Mountain

It still resonates in our minds that last 2023 was marked by unusually hot days. According to several studies, it was recorded as the hottest year in global temperature since this data was first recorded in 1850. The year was also impacted by El Niño, a natural climate warming phenomenon that can affect global weather. Climate change exacerbated the effects of El Nino in 2023 leading to prolonged droughts and heatwaves, which triggered severe wildfires in various regions, including Indonesia.

One of the major events linked to the phenomenon was the wildfires that devastated several forests in Indonesia’s mountainous areas, with over 140 incidents recorded throughout the year. Merbabu Mountain in Central Java Province suffered some of the worst damage, with over 480 hectares of forest burned. The fire was allegedly caused by natural leaves friction, although human actions like discarded cigarette butts or burning trash may have also played a role.

A Year After the Wildfire: Youth Community Reforests Fire-Damaged Area

One year has passed since the devastating wildfire on Merbabu Mountain in October 2023. It destroyed much of the forest cover, including valuable vegetation, such as edelweiss, cantigi, and tree species like puspa, pines, cinnamon, and wilodo. While some parts of the forests have been reforested, other fire-affected areas remain barren. This has motivated the youth community of the Executive Student Board (BEM) Diponegoro University to take action, mobilizing youth communities to restore the land by planting trees.

Collaborating with Trees4Trees, they organized a tree-planting event through an annual environmental program, Gerakan Aksi Tanam Pohon (GESIT) or the Tree Planting Action Movement. The event took place on October 20, 2024 – exactly one year after the wildfires struck.

“Aligned with our program in conservation, we initiated this tree-planting activity. In total, 70 volunteers from twelve faculties joined as tree-planting volunteers to help the environment, particularly by reforesting fire-affected areas,” said Jania, a student of Diponegoro University and coordinator of the tree-planting activity.

Green Action — Three species of trees were planted in the area: puspa, cinnamon, and wilodo, all the characteristic trees of Merbabu.

A Green Collaboration to Recover the Environment

Together with Trees4Trees, the Gen Z volunteers planted 500 trees along the Thekelan hiking trail on the slope of Merbabu Mountain, in Getasan District, Semarang Regency.

“This tree-planting aims to support ecosystem recovery, allowing the trees to produce more oxygen to benefit all living beings. This small action reflects our care as young generations for the environment,” said Izza, a Diponegoro University student and leader of the Conservation and Disaster Division.

As part of its mission in education and sustainability promotion, Trees4Trees provided volunteers with essential training on tree-planting techniques and preparations a week before the event. Danang Pambudi, a Trees4Trees forester who led the training, emphasized the importance of sharing tree-planting knowledge with young people. “We hope this education encourages them not only to plant trees at this event but to continue planting more in the future, wherever they can,” he said.

Aksi Hijau — Trees4Trees’ forester was presenting the tree-planting technique to the tree-planting volunteers.

Why Is It Important to Plant Trees in the Fire-Affected Area?

Danang revealed, Trees4Trees supported the tree-planting event by providing three species of trees: puspa, cinnamon, and wilodo, all of which are characteristic of Merbabu Mountain. Some of them were diminished during the wildfire.

“We selected the trees to fit the existing ecosystem. Merbabu is the natural habitat for these species, and by planting them, we help restore the ecosystem. In fact, the puspa tree is even fire-resistant,” said Danang. He also emphasized that if fire-affected areas are left neglected, they will eventually recover on their own. Birds and wind will disperse the seeds of native trees naturally, encouraging regrowth, but it takes time. “By planting these characteristic trees in their natural habitat, we help to accelerate ecosystem recovery. Additionally, we also help enhance carbon sequestration, contributing to fight climate change,” he explained.

Penanaman — Each tree was planted in 30 cm depth with 3 meters distance from each other to ensure their growth.

Empowering Youth through Trees4Trees Youth4Change

Trees4Trees‘ involvement in this collaborative tree-planting event was backed with the aim to raise awareness about environmental preservation among the young generation. This initiative is part of the Trees4Trees Youth4Change program, designed to empower youth to express their concerns and take action for a greener planet.

Hatta Iskandar, the Trees4Trees Fundraising Manager, noted that Youth4Change offers opportunities for youth to engage in impactful actions for environmental preservation. “We are excited to collaborate with young communities, especially in tree-planting activities. We hope to continue this collaboration in the future and involve more youth in the green movement,” he stated.

In the other hand, Danang emphasized the younger generation holds the key to a sustainable future. “It’s vital to cultivate a sense of environmental responsibility in young people. By supporting positive initiatives and sharing knowledge, we can inspire a deep commitment to protecting our planet,” he said.

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Photo: Yulianisa Dessenita & Doc. BEM UNDIP

Trees4Trees 2023 Green Journey

Green Journey; The year 2023 is coming to an end, and a new year is on the horizon! Despite facing challenges such as a prolonged dry season and the impact of the El Nino phenomenon, Trees4Trees remains steadfast in its mission to green the environment. It includes supporting areas affected by drought and water scarcity through tree planting.

The Trees4Trees planting season is currently in progress and is scheduled to continue until early 2024, leading to the planting of more trees. This initiative is expected to generate larger impacts on the environment, social aspects, and the economy.

Therefore, we express our gratitude to the individuals, companies, and organizations that have supported our green mission throughout the year. Your remarkable support as sponsors and donors has enabled us to achieve new milestones in 2023, and we are eager to share them with you.

TREES4TREES 2023 REFORESTATION JOURNEY

Looking ahead to 2024, we are steadfast in our commitment to expanding tree planting efforts. This involves over 20,000 farmers in 231 villages across various regions in Indonesia. You, your organization, or company can actively contribute by becoming sponsors and donating trees to support this cause. For more details, please reach out to us at info@trees4trees.treesforplant.com.

As the new year approaches, it provides a timely opportunity to adopt green resolutions and resetting habits that promote a sustainable lifestyle. Through these changes, we collectively contribute to the well-being of our planet and secure a better future. Additionally, consider gifting trees as a meaningful and eco-friendly New Year’s present.

GIFT TREES

Wishing you a joyful New Year! Continue making a positive impact on Earth by participating in Trees4Trees tree planting initiatives.

planting trees reforestation reforestation journey tree planting program

Activity Highlights: Farmer Training Initiative to Empower Local Communities

In Trees4Trees‘ tree-planting operation, our focus includes empowering and encouraging local communities – our partners as tree growers – to implement environmentally friendly farming methods. By doing so, we anticipate that the farming activities will not harm the surrounding environment, while also potentially benefiting local communities through the products of the trees, such as fruits, leaves, or bark.

To achieve this goal, we conduct a series of farmer training sessions at each working site as part of our tree-planting initiatives. This year, various topics about organic farming methods have already been covered. These topics include how to make organic pesticide and herbicide, formulating liquid and granular organic fertilizers, and microbe’s decomposer.

Additionally, there are also topics related to the cultivation techniques, such as applying organic cultivation pattern, increasing timbers and multipurpose tree species productivity, grafting and plant propagation through cutting techniques, and best practices to cultivate fruit trees in organic ways.

Let’s delve into the recent establishment of Trees4Trees‘ farming training program!

Our field team is at the forefront of engaging local communities to tree-planting programs. Trees4Trees held a Training of Trainers to enhance the understanding of organic farming methods among our field team before delivering the knowledge to the tree growers participating in the program. Our field team will continue to disseminate this knowledge to tree growers in each planting area through mentoring and hands–on practice.

Trees4Trees provides its tree grower partners with brochures (above) and videos (below) as information and tutorial sources they can access for free. These information tools contain tutorials and steps in how to implement each organic farming method.

Organic biopesticide is useful to prevent and control pests and disease attack to the trees planted without leaving harmful residuals. Our field team showcases tutorials of organic biopesticide making in a hands-on practice to the local communities. The organic biopesticide is formulated from some tree leaves like suren, sirsak, and sirih leaves. They are mixed with turmeric, galangal, tobacco, molasses, and decomposer microbes.

In the process of making organic biopesticides, three kinds of leaves; sirsak, suren, and sirih leaves need to be pounded before they are mixed with other ingredients. Local farmers are pounding them with a traditional pestle and mortar made from wood.

Fulfilling the high demand for knowledge about organic fertilizers in local communities, our field team conducts farming training on how to make organic liquid fertilizers. (Above) We utilize household waste like expired eggs and milk, rice washing water that are mixed with some other ingredients including sheep’s manure, volcanic ash, and spirulina. To apply this type of fertilizer, simply by spraying around the trunk of trees planted. (Below) The organic fertilizer training attracted many local people to directly witness the tutorials demonstration.

One of the farming training topics we cover is grafting techniques, a cultivation method that involves attaching one plant bud to another. This method aims to combine favorable characteristics from both plants to achieve a better variety of trees.

Decomposer microbes and soil fertilizers play a crucial role in the organic farming system due to their numerous functions in plants growth. They help compost plants and livestock waste to become nutrient for plants, reduce chemical waste in the soil, enhance soil fertility, and help to prevent pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, they significantly improve the chemical and biological function of soils. Considering these factors, we conduct training on decomposer microbe production using rotten rice, banana weevil, bamboo roots, molasse, and yeast that are fermented.

In one of our farmer training sessions, we presented a tutorial on making herbicide from organic ingredients, including coconut water, sugar, and yeast, followed by a fermentation process. Organic herbicide is useful for controlling and preventing weed growth that can disrupt the growth of trees.

farmer training planting trees reforestasi training of trainer tree planting

Nursery Highlights: Growing Multi-purpose Trees Species

Multipurpose tree species refer to the type of trees that are grown to provide numerous benefits both for the environment and the economy. These may include environmental enhancement, such as providing shade, conserving water, and improving soil quality.

In addition to the environmental benefits, multipurpose trees also yield non-timber commodities, including fruits, leaves, nuts, sap, or bark. These commodities have a significant economic value and are competitive in the market, supporting local community livelihoods. Recognizing these advantages, Trees4Trees cultivates multipurpose tree seedlings like coffee, avocado, durian, petai, clove, and cotton in its nurseries.

Let’s observe the dedicated efforts of our nursery team as they cultivate and nurture our multipurpose tree seedlings in our four established nurseries!

At the Kebumen nursery, a new tree-seedling has been introduced. This year, the nursery has started on the cultivation of the cotton tree, also known in Indonesia as the randu tree or kapuk tree. The decision to grow cotton trees is a response to the strong interest of the local community in Kebumen, driven by the economic value of the tree. Cotton trees produce fibers which are contained in their fruits, and these fibers are essential raw materials for textile yarn. (Above) New shoots of randu tree-seedling have begun to grow. (Below) A nursery worker is removing weeds from the randu tree seedlings to ensure the maximum growth.

Jackfruit, or nangka is one of the favorite fruits in Indonesia, including the Java islands. Considering that the trees are widely cultivated by local people for their delicious fruits, the Kebumen nursery grows jackfruit tree-seedlings. These trees produce sweet, yellow fruits that can be consumed directly or used as an additional ingredient for traditional snacks and drinks, thanks to their distinctive aroma. The young fruits also can be used to prepare traditional Javanese dish called gudeg.

Avocado is one of the multipurpose trees that has a high economic value. Many people incorporate avocado fruit to their healthy diets, contributing to the fruits’ popularity and high demand. All our nurseries cultivate avocado tree-seedlings due to the strong interest of local people in planting avocados. (Above) Avocado tree-seedlings are thriving in the Pati Nursery. (Below) Avocado tree-seedlings are reaching new heights marking significant tree growth in the Cirasea Nursery.

Coffee is one of promising commodities across Indonesia, and during our planting seasons, this species always takes the spotlight. Many tree growers have a strong interest in cultivating coffee trees due to their economic value. (Above) New shoots of coffee tree seedlings have embarked to grow in our Ciminyak nursery. (Below) The two–month–old coffee tree-seedlings are growing greener, displaying their distinctive rounded-shape leaves.

The clove tree, known as cengkeh is an evergreen tree native to the North Maluku Islands of Indonesia. Its aromatic flower buds are highly valuable due to their competitive prices in the market. This species is one of the trees we cultivate to provide income opportunities for our tree growers. (Above) Clove tree seedlings are growing taller in our Ciminyak nursery.

Petai is popular in Indonesia due to most of Indonesian enjoy eating the beans fresh. The petai tree, also known as stinky bean tree, is native to Southeast Asia and produces long green beans about the size of almond. These beans have a high demand in the market. We cultivate petai in our nurseries to provide opportunities for our tree growers partner to gain economic benefits by planting the tree. (Above) Petai seedlings in Soreang nursery in 2 weeks old. (Below) Petai seedings in 2 months old.

donate trees nursery planting trees tree planting

A Breath of Fresh Air: Tackling Air Pollution in Jakarta

Planting Trees to Combat Jakarta Pollution

Planting Trees to Combat Jakarta Air Pollution — *Photo: jakarta.go.id*

In recent months, Jakarta, has been choking in air pollution. Since May, Indonesia’s capital has regularly been ranked in the global top 10 of polluted cities – on Monday morning (9/25), it was ranked second worst in the world after registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 153.

But Jakarta isn’t the only Indonesian city grappling with air pollution. Palembang, Indralaya, Depok, Tangerang, and Medan have all gone into the red on the AQI recently, with readings above 160. For city dwellers, this has potentially life-threatening consequences – air pollution causes diseases like bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia, and cancer.

Faced by a health crisis and an environmental disaster, Indonesia is working to find solutions. During a recent visit to Trees4Trees’ Ciminyak nursery, government minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan made his commitment clear. “We need collective efforts to fight air pollution,” said the minister. “Planting trees is one of the effective solutions to sequester carbon emissions, combat air pollution, and mitigate global warming,” he added.

Causes of air pollution

There are three major causes of air pollution in Jakarta, all of which can be connected to human activities: transportation, industrial areas and plantations, and power plants burning fossil fuels.

Impacts on human health

According to the monitoring app IQAir, Jakarta currently has a Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 pollutant concentration 13.5 times higher than the WHO’s guideline value.

PM 2.5 refers to particles found in the air, including dust, soot, dirt, smoke, and liquid droplets that measure 2.5 microns or less in diameter. This high concentration of air pollution impacts health in a number of ways.

Staying safe in the smog: Our top five tips

If you live in a big city, or even if you’re just visiting, it’s important to protect yourself from air pollution. Here’s our top five tips for reducing the harmful impacts of air pollution on human health:

Wear a mask. An N95 mask can reduce – but not completely eradicate – the pollutants inhaled into the body when traveling in heavily congested areas with poor air quality.
Use an air purifier. Installing an air purifier in your home can help filter out harmful particles from the air.
Regularly check air pollution forecasts. This can help you plan your outdoor activities more wisely.
Avoid outdoor exercise during pollution spikes. Poor air quality can make exercise unsafe. When smog levels rise, it’s best to keep the workout indoors.
Close windows and doors. When the AQI goes above 150, keep your doors and windows closed.

Air pollution solutions: Getting to the root of the problem

All the above measures can do is help us live with the symptoms. To figure out how to reduce air pollution, we must think bigger. Human activities are the cause of air pollution, but they can also be the remedy. Here are five ways to clean our atmosphere, for the good of the planet:

Leave the car at home: Use public transport, or – even better – try cycling or walking to work;
Reduce idling: If you do commute by car, turn off your engine in those city traffic jams;
Vehicle maintenance: Regularly maintain your vehicle, keep tires properly inflated, and ensure your car complies with emissions standards;
Responsible waste disposal: Compost leaves and yard waste; avoid burning garbage; and
Clean energy: Think about using gas instead of a wood stove.

There is another way to combat air pollution; a strategy that can mitigate dangers to human health, while also contributing to a cleaner, greener environment. And that solution is simple: Planting trees.

Trees suck harmful greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and sequester carbon in their roots and branches. They also produce life-giving oxygen, which helps clean our atmosphere and make the air safe to breathe. Recent studies have even discovered that cities with urban forests are noticeably cooler than those without1.

Trees4Trees is taking action to cool and clean our cities, for the benefit of people and planet. And you can join us in these efforts – donating trees is good for the environment, good for human health, and good news for local farmers! It’s a win-win situation.

Writer: V. Arnila Wulandani. Editor: Christopher Alexander

Absorbing CO2 Air pollution Jakarta Air Pollution planting trees reforestation

Kalirejo Art and Cultural Festival: Giving Thanks to Nature

Parade Festival Budaya Kalirejo_Trees4Trees

The fertile, volcanic soils of Central Java provide food and livelihoods for the many people who live off the land. In return, these communities give their thanks to nature with offerings and elaborate celebrations. One of these festivals was held recently in a Trees4Trees operation area – Kalirejo Village in Kebumen.

From August 9–11, the Kalirejo Art and Cultural Festival combined cultural traditions with religious ceremonies, in a show that proudly affirmed the community’s identity. The celebrations included performances of traditional dance, a cultural parade, games, and a shared feast.

(Above) Trees4Trees join the celebrations at Kalirejo Art and Cultural Festival

Connection to land and ancestors

The event showcased a series of performances, including the cepetan and ebeg. Passed down through the generations, these traditional dances have a mystic quality, and connect the dancers to the spirits of their ancestors.

The festival also featured a performance of the wayang kulit (a traditional Javanese shadow puppet show) as part of the ruwat bumi – a traditional ceremony that aims to secure the peace, security, and prosperity of the village.

Cepetan dance performed at Kalirejo Art and Cultural Festival_Trees4Trees — (Above) Cepetan dancers wear devil masks to scare evil spirits away from the village. (Below) The ebeg dance features horse-like effigies made from woven bamboo. It symbolizes the bravery of soldiers going to war.

Keeping tradition alive

The celebrations came to a climax with a colorful parade, in which the whole community came together to watch or take part. Villagers proudly carried their produce from the fields, which included corn, rice, fruits, vegetables, and tubers. Accompanying the parade were dancers and musicians, who helped create a carnival atmosphere.

(Above) Villagers carry their produce during the parade. (Below) A convoy of musicians and dancers help create a carnival atmosphere.

Next came the kenduri giling pitu feast, which involves villagers placing rice and vegetables wrapped in banana leaves onto woven trays. After offering prayers and giving thanks for the bountiful harvest, the food is distributed to all in attendance at the festival.

According to Ella, a local Trees4Trees Field Coordinator who was born and raised in Kebumen, “the prayers and the distribution of food symbolize the villagers’ gratitude to both God and nature.”

The kenduri giling pitu feast at Kalirejo Art and Cultural Festival

The traditions of art, music, dance, and traditional ceremonies highlighted by the Kalirejo Art and Cultural Festival dates back centuries. However, some of the village elders are concerned that, unless the younger generation keep them alive, these pastimes may soon fade away.

“The festival is a way to preserve our ancestral culture, ensuring it stands the passage of time,” says Maratun Chasanah, a Trees4Trees Field Coordinator and a local youth from Kebumen. “This way, the young generation can gain a deeper understanding of their own traditions and arts,” she added.

A cup of Java: Growing the local economy

Cultural preservation was not the only aim of the festival. The community also set up a bazaar where villagers could sell their products, which included traditional foods made from crops like cassava and corn, handmade crafts from woven bamboo, fresh fruit and vegetables, and the village’s new up-and-coming commodity: Coffee.

Together with Tree Ltd, Trees4Trees has been helping local communities in Kalirejo plant coffee trees since 2019. And these activities are already delivering positive results.

“We harvested approximately one ton of coffee from the trees provided by Trees4Trees and Tree Ltd,” says Sarman, the Head of Kalirejo Village. “This valuable commodity has significantly supported our community, and we eagerly anticipate the continuation of this collaboration,” he added.

(Above) Ripe coffee cherries add color to the fields in Kalirejo

The Story of Wasis, How a Tree Grower is Making a Difference in Water Conservation

Planting the seeds of new traditions

During the festival, Trees4Trees distributed seedlings and organic fertilizer, to support reforestation and promote the adoption of organic farming in Kalirejo. A total of 1,000 trees were distributed to festival attendees,. including suren, duku, gayam, clove, and coffee.

“Suren leaves can be used as biopesticides, coffee offers a stable income from its berries, and Gayam trees assist in soil and water conservation,” explains Rizky Pradhitya, Trees4Trees’ Unit Manager in Kebumen.

“We believe that by providing these seedlings we can showcase the trees’ potential to the community – our aim is to help them improve their environment and promote organic agriculture, while also boosting productivity, so everybody wins.”

Two of the 1,000 seedlings distributed to Kalirejo by Trees4Trees and Trees Ltd