In this project in Okegem, we undertake an afforestation of a former agricultural plot of 3.22 hectares. We will plant at least 5000 trees during the season of 2024-2025. The tree species that will be used in the plantation include Sycamore maple, black alder, European hornbeam, Cornelian cherry, common dogwood, hazel, hawthorn, spindle, European beech, European ash, wild cherry, pedunculate oak, white willow, small-leaved lime, and large-leaved lime. This new forest will enhance the water cycle, soil protection, biodiversity protection and conservation, and carbon sequestration. In the case of afforestation of agricultural land, the reduction in inputs and the absence of heavy tillage can also be noted. In the coming years, the project can be extended.

Maransart is a small village part of the commune of Lasne. The village is located 40 km from Brussels and forests are not abundant in the region. This project is a plantation of 550 trees on a surface of 0.28 hectares, during the winter of 2023-2024. We plant sessile oak, Alisier torminal, and mountain ash (Rowan). Long ago, the plot only had birch trees used for coppicing, which is the repetitive cutting down of multi-stemmed trees, in this case, birch, creating a stump (a coppice stool), which will regrow from. Replanting is very important because there are no natural seedlings on the plot. Species diversification is necessary for resilience to climate change. Other details: Altitude – 150 m Soil type – Sandy-loamy with mainly favorable natural drainage Other support – Forêt résiliente Nursery – Pirothon

The Amblève project, located in the commune of Amblève (BE 4770) and in the Amblève bassin, involves a reforestation initiative in response to an ongoing bark beetle infestation affecting the region's spruce forests. Rather than clear-cutting the entire area, selective extraction of infested trees is being implemented. This method varies depending on the situation, with some areas undergoing large or small-scale clear-cutting while others focus on isolated spruce removal. Following last season's intervention with 10,500 trees, another 14,280 trees are planted during the season of 2024-2025, in a mix of 1.5m x 1.5m (islands) or 2m x 2.5m spacing (in larger areas). The replanting will prioritize beech trees (88%) due to their adaptability to low-light conditions, particularly in small clusters. Other species, including hornbeam, linden, and maple, will be introduced in varying proportions, depending on the specific site conditions. There is significant wildlife pressure, but not enough to threaten the plantations. The manager plans to protect the planting clusters with small localized fences. The restoration effort aims to restore forest cover, enhance species diversity, and strengthen the forest's resilience to climate change. The project can be expanded up to 100,000 trees. The area, known for its rich rural and agricultural landscape, attracts hikers, cyclists, and horse riders exploring the extensive forests around the Amblève River. Historically, the region's forests were damaged during World War II, particularly during the Ardennes Offensive, and were subsequently replanted with spruce, which has proven vulnerable to pests and storms. The project is integrated into a special zone (ZIP), is easy accessible, and offers opportunities for site visits. Plantation updates: - Planting period: The plantation took place between November 2024 and February 2025. - 14280 trees planted: 11480 beeches, 1200 hornbeams, 1200 maples and 400 lindens. - Monitoring summary: The planting was carried out over 15.64 hectares of former spruce forest. Despite regular snow and freezing conditions, the weather did not hinder the work. Trees were planted in clusters, either under existing spruce stands or following clear-cutting. The terrain was prepared beforehand, and protection measures were applied where needed. No major difficulties were encountered.

In Peru, the agroforestry project in cooperation with Camino Verde focuses on successional agroforestry (farming with trees). In successional agroforestry, you take into consideration not only the physical dynamics of a forest's shape (how trees grow with each other compatibly in space) but also the importance of the factor of time when designing your agroforestry system. Different species appear in the system (or disappear from the system) at different times. For example, in many successional agroforestry systems, annual or short-lived perennials (such as maize and bananas) are planted in the system at the beginning, later harvested, and then disappear from the system. Trees are planted at the beginning of the system's establishment, but other trees (especially shade-loving ones) are planted into the system later in its lifespan. In many of our agroforestry areas, we plant trees under the established canopy of trees that were planted back in the beginning of the system. Trees like cacao (Theobroma cacao) and huasaí (Euterpe precatoria) benefit from the forest-like conditions and do better when established in shade versus when established in a clear, open patch. As a result, we often plant trees in areas that already have some established trees, sometimes even 5- or 10-year-old trees as the canopy overhead. While many of the trees planted in the understory are relatively small (like cacao), others, like huasaí, grow up into the canopy eventually and are structurally compatible with interplanting among other trees. Huasaí is a palm tree and therefore always grows straight, never branching, allowing it to be placed in the system in a way that is harmonious with already established trees. In several areas, bananas are planted at the beginning of the system's life span. But these giant herbs are productive for only a few years and then are removed from the system. The gaps formerly occupied by the bananas are then planted with new trees, including large, long-lived species like Brazil-nut (Bertholletia excelsa).

In our agroforestry area in Baltimori, Peru, we plant trees under the established canopy of trees that were planted back in the beginning of the system. Trees like cacao (Theobroma cacao) and huasaí (Euterpe precatoria) benefit from the forest-like conditions and do better when established in shade versus when established in a clear, open patch. As a result, we often plant trees in areas that already have some established trees, sometimes even 5- or 10-year-old trees as the canopy overhead. While many of the trees planted in the understory are relatively small (like cacao), others, like huasaí, grow up into the canopy eventually and are structurally compatible with interplanting among other trees. Huasaí is a palm tree and therefore always grows straight, never branching, allowing it to be placed in the system in a way that is harmonious with already established trees. In several areas, bananas are planted at the beginning of the system's life span. But these giant herbs are productive for only a few years and then are removed from the system. The gaps formerly occupied by the bananas are then planted with new trees, including large, long-lived species like Brazil-nut (Bertholletia excelsa) How do we work? Seeds are first collected in the nearby forests. When the seeds have grown into little plants, the plants are stored safely. Then, they go through a process of hardening, so that they have a higher survival rate. Finally, when the time is right during the rainy season, the seedlings are planted in nature.

In the course of 2026, these agroforestry trees will be planted in Loreto, Peru. The project is carried out in close cooperation with Camino Verde, working hand in hand with the Amazonian communities to strengthen local stewardship and long-term forest resilience. The trees will be planted across five communities. To support community-led implementation, planting workshops will be organized in each community, focusing on agroforestry techniques and sustainable land management. Once the planting has taken place, this section will be updated with planting information, including the species planted, images, and the geolocations of all sites.