Eden Reforestation Project Update – December 2021

by | Dec 16, 2021 | Articles, News

Mahubo Site, Maputo, Mozambique

Protecting our natural environment and fighting climate change is a significant issue to everyone here at Future-tech. We strive to adhere to sustainable working practices, as well as producing energy efficient data centre designs. As a company working on several exciting new projects in the African market, contributing to environmental conservation in African communities is very important to us and to our clients.

To offer a contribution to global conservation efforts, Future-tech has partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects, an organisation whose aim is to offer fair employment to those living in impoverished conditions around the world and to advance global forest restoration.

Future-tech contribute to a shared conservation in Maputo, Mozambique. In Mozambique over 45% of the population live below the poverty line, with nearly 70% living in rural areas. The people of Mozambique are reliant on the country’s forest and natural resources, with mangroves playing a particularly vital role. Mangrove trees not only provide resources that can be utilised, but also protect against coastal erosion, filter pollutants out of the water and offer a habitat for fish and other marine life.

At the Mahubo site, Eden offers long-term employment to a team of 30 people, giving them a stable income, the opportunity to protect the environment, save money for the future and improve their overall well-being.

As you can see in the photos below, one year later and the mangroves planted at the site with Future-tech’s support are growing into healthy young trees and have reached a height of 54cm. We are excited to watch them thrive and return these barren areas to their former robust mangrove ecosystems.

Grouped images | future tech

Kitiligini Site, Kijabe Forest, Kenya

The Eden Reforestation Project started planting in Kenya 2 years ago, and quickly became the most efficient reforestation organisation in the country. Future-Tech work with Eden, contributing to the reforestation and restoration of the Kitiligini site in the Kijabe Forest.

The Kijabe Forest is a 5,500-hectare forest located in the central highlands of Kenya and is relied upon by approximately 200,000 local community members for resources, as well as by the wildlife it provides habitat to. Over recent years the forest has suffered massive destruction, with loggers and charcoal burners being major culprits. The Kenyan Ministry of Environment and Forestry reported that the country lost an  average of 21,000 ha of forest annually from 1990 to 2005.

This devastation has not only led to a loss in biodiversity, but it has also left the locals at risk. The removal of large expanses of trees leaves areas open and exposed to both heavy rainfall and soil erosion. Without the tree roots securing soil in place and vegetation blocking the path of any moving debris, these areas are left vulnerable to the threat of potentially devastating mudslides. The deforestation also exacerbates flooding in the area, as the loss of trees and disruption to soil renders the land incapable of retaining water, leading to surface water runoff. These effects on the land are also believed to lead to a decrease in clean water access for locals. With such catastrophic events being a risk to the local communities and wildlife, Future-tech feel that it is imperative that the deforestation is addresses before the situation worsens.

It is for these reasons that Future-tech have partnered with the Eden Reforestation Project.  Eden have committed to planting a minimum of 125,000 native trees per year at the Kitilingini site on behalf of Future-tech. We are excited to see the progress of the saplings which have been planted with Future-tech’s support over the last year, as shown in the photos below, and look forward to watching them develop further in years to come.

We believe that the work carried out by Eden will benefit the land and people alike. Through reforestation, we as partners are aiming to revive wildlife habitats and enhance climate reliance whilst protecting and improving the livelihoods of the local communities.

Future-tech have worked on several projects within the country and have shared our goals and achievements regarding sustainability and reforestation with clients and contractors on the ground, who have offered very positive feedback. We hope that in doing so that we will raise awareness of the project and the positive work that Eden is carrying out.