Climate Change And Reforestation Environmental Project Detail

Climate Change And Reforestation Environmental Project

Book now to join us in July 2012 and receive a 20% Discount on your placement fee!!

In partnership with Greenpop's Trees for Zambia project, 5000 or more indigenous and fruit trees will planted in three weeks within the Victoria Falls World Heritage site, a Lion rehabilitation area, Chief Makuni’s village and in community schools around Livingstone. Greenpop is coordinating Trees for Zambia in July 2012, where volunteers from around the world will be invited as well as key environmental speakers and teachers. Volunteers will work 5 days a week with weekends off to allow time for the volunteers to enjoy the beauty of Zambia and all the activities on offer in and around the area. In the evenings, speakers will talk about pertinent environmental issues, volunteers will share experiences and environmental films will be screened. Essentially it will be a conference of action, sharing and learning.

The Problem – Deforestation

There is rampant deforestation going on around the Livingstone area in Zambia. The Forestry Department in Livingstone put the rate of deforestation at 5% annually and believes it has a bearing on local temperature and rainfall. Time Magazine reported that “Zambia is among the five countries in the world with the highest levels of deforestation.” In a paper by the National Heritage Conservation Commission in Zambia, entitled "Report on the impact of climate change on the Mosi-oa-Tunya World Heritage Site! It is quoted:

 “The deforestation going on around the Livingstone area has a bearing on temperature and rainfall. This also is likely to affect our Mosi-oa-tunya World Heritage Site. The Falls are in an area experiencing notable impacts of climate change and variability. The 2005/2006-rainfall season recorded a notable recent flood disaster over Kazungula district, a district upstream the Victoria Falls where thousands of families had to be evacuated to higher grounds.” (2007)

From International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT):
 
“Although African and other developing nations are least responsible for climate change, they are particularly vulnerable to the effects, including reduced agricultural production, threats to food security, increased incidence of both drought and flooding, sea level rise, coastal erosion, coral bleaching, deforestation, loss of wildlife, reduced fresh water availability, spread of malaria and other disease, and an increased risk of conflict over scarce land and water resources.”

The Cause of Deforestation

Electricity in Zambia is very expensive and is not available to everyone. This marginalizes the majority of those living within a rural environment. The knock on effect is that charcoal becomes the primary power source for all domestic heating and cooking. In addition to this, the practice of slash and burn is inherent within the farming culture, which is exacerbated by monoculture farming. This practice ultimately leaves behind leached soil and eventually leads to large-scale desertification.

All these issues are compounded by the fact that there is not a large culture of replacing trees among those who cut down trees in Zambia. Biodiversity has thus been compromised, adding further stress on the ability for those inhabiting this area (animals and humans) to adapt to climate change. There are not enough trees to hold down the soil, lessen erosion and replace valuable nitrates.

Further Information on Trees for Zambia:

An important aspect of the project is the sustainability and involvement of the local community. Volunteers get the chance to immerse themselves in the local culture and natural environment very different from their own – an amazing learning opportunity. Not only do the volunteers benefit from this unique experience, but the local community is given the chance to learn themselves; about other cultures, the trees, and the rehabilitation of their natural environment.

Our Mission:

Based in South Africa, Greenpop's mission is to green undergreened areas and combat deforestation in Southern Africa. In July 2012, we are hosting Trees for Zambia; a project with the aim of planting 5000 or more indigenous and fruit trees in the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, a lion rehabilitation area, a rural village on the outskirts of Livingstone, and at local schools and community centres. Our goals are as follows:  

• Start reforestation to replace the pioneer trees, allowing for new growth and regeneration of rich soil content
• Develop a culture of planting trees within communities through conservation education, and by teaching people how to plant and look after trees
• Educate children on their natural environment, and help feed them by planting fruit trees at underprivileged schools
• Create an exciting and stimulating program of practical work, lectures and workshops for international volunteers, through which they can educate themselves and be actively involved in environmental issues

Project Typical Day:

A day in the life of a ‘Trees for Zambia’ volunteer…

Volunteers will work on this project from Monday to Friday, with weekends off. Certain weekday slots will be dedicated to workshops and lectures.

At the end of certain plant days, volunteers and community members will be given the opportunity to take part in talks surrounding climate change, deforestation and sustainability. Workshops will also be conducted on propagation, seed harvesting and various other areas within forest ecology. These lectures and workshops will be hosted by professionals in the field, local NGOs, local community leaders, as well as persons from the UNDP and UNEP.

On the final day, there will be a celebration to conclude the event, which will involve local musicians from the Livingstone area and musicians from abroad.

Here is an example of how typical days will go:

Typical planting day:

• 07.30 Rise and breakfast
• 08.00 Briefing on the day!s activities, which group will be going where, etc.
• 08.30 Leave with group to pick up planting supplies, tools, and trees
• 09.00 Arrive at planting site; brief introduction to the community, the area, where trees will go
• 09:20 Tree planting demonstration and overview of tree types being planted and needs of area
• 09.30 Begin planting
• 12.00 Break for lunch
• 13.30 Continue planting
• 15.30 Finish planting, delivery of environmental education material
• 16.00 Return to camp and free time
• 18.30 Dinner
• 19.30 Workshops and educational talks (on some days)

Project Pricing:

1 week: GBP 395 / USD 625 / EUR 465
2 weeks: GBP 750 / USD 1185 / EUR 875
3 weeks: GBP 1095 / USD 1730 / EUR 1275


Please note that while anyone in good health is eligible to join this programme, it should be noted that there will be physical labour in the form of digging, carrying and planting tree’s etc. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

Reforestation, Deforestation, Zambia, Global Warming, Climate change, Environment, Victoria Falls