As part of our ongoing efforts to maximize the impact of our initiatives, we have decided to allocate 50% of the funds for Tanzania to reforestation efforts with native tree species, while the remaining 50% is allocated to supporting agroforestry tree planting within the local communities’ farms. Agroforestry integrates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, promoting sustainable farming practices that increase crop yields, improve soil health, and provide additional income sources for local farmers. By supporting both reforestation and agroforestry, we ensure a comprehensive approach that addresses environmental sustainability, food security, and economic development within the community. In the rainy season of November 2024, our local team and the local people of Nkundei village planted 2,258 fruit trees in the individual-owned farms in the Nkundei community.

The Magamba Nature Forest Reserve has suffered several wildfires which were caused by human economic activities, such as local honey harvesting practices and the search for fuel wood. The reserve is important for biodiversity conservation, enhancing eco-tourism, and the water supply of many villages. This project is going to be conducted at Nkundei Village which is among the 21 villages surrounding the Magamba Nature Forest Reserve. Starting in November 2024, a total of 5,325 new native trees are planted with the aim of restoring the loss of biodiversity and regaining the nature of the Magamba Nature Forest Reserve. We are planting more than 11 different indigenous tree species to introduce as much diversity as possible. The trees will be maintained and monitored for 5 years and every tree that dies within this period will be replaced by a new one. The most important maintenance activity is the clearing of ferns!

On the La Joya reforestation site in Peru, we sometimes reforest from the ground up, as you might imagine: a bare, completely deforested parcel is planted with seedlings that then fill in the bare area on the map with the greenery of tree canopies. In our case, this style of planting is carried out on some of our managed parcels that are bare due to the activities of the past owners – mainly, slash-and-burn agriculture. Many of the areas where planting occurs, however, already possess some kind of tree cover at the time of planting. In other words, we're not starting with a bare patch on the map. In this case, we're mainly talking about enrichment planting in a secondary forest (a forest where only a few tree species grow as a survival technique). With enrichment planting, we are speeding up the introduction of species of trees that are useful for human needs, including endangered species. When trees are planted in a secondary forest, a broader range of biodiversity is introduced back into the landscape sooner. In practical terms, straight trails are created through the secondary forest and trees are planted all along those trails. Because of the shade provided by the pioneer trees' canopy, these enrichment strips only need to be weeded once or twice a year, savings in work compared to planting trees on a bare plot, where weed growth can require monthly maintenance clearing 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.

The Steenhuffel reforestation project aims to transform 3.8 hectares of low-diversity grassland, formerly used as a hayfield, into a mixed hardwood forest with continuous canopy. Before the project, the site which is located near the Robbeek creek, had low ecological and economic value and offered significant potential for biodiversity enhancement and ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, soil protection, water capture, and biodiversity conservation. A total of 9525 trees will be planted during the 2024-2025 season, representing numerous native species such as Alnus glutinosa, Prunus padus, Betula pendula, Carpinus betulus, Fraxinus excelsior and many others. The project will also include shrubs along the forest edge to protect biota. This project will significantly enhance local biodiversity and ecological value while contributing to climate resilience. - Maintenance (2025–2028): Annual mowing of competitive weeds - Biodiversity and Management: The site will be managed as a mixed hardwood forest, with no identified biotic or abiotic risks. No existing large deadwood or standing trees will require removal prior to planting. The field work will be executed by Bomenplanter.be (Meulebeke), with tree saplings supplied by SYLVA bv. Plantation updates: - Planting date: Trees were planted between 14 and 18 April 2025. - 9525 trees planted: The mix includes 12% Alnus glutinosa, 12% Prunus padus, 6% each of Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Carpinus betulus, Fraxinus excelsior, Prunus avium, Quercus robur, and Tilia cordata. Additionally, 34% of the planting consists of native shrubs, mostly along the forest edge, including Acer campestre, Cornus sanguineum, Crataegus monogyna, Euonymus europaeus, Ilex aquifolium, Ligustrum vulgare, Mespilus germanica, Prunus spinosa, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Sambucus nigra, and Viburnum opulus. - Monitoring summary: Due to prolonged wet conditions in early 2025, planting was delayed and the trees were stored in cold conditions to maintain dormancy. Planting was done in rows, with holes drilled for each tree. No sensitive habitats were affected. - Maintenance: Follow-up may be needed depending on soil and weather conditions.

In this project in Le Roeulx we plant 12,000 trees during the first months of 2024, with the majority of the trees planted in March 2024. On the 5.5-hectare plot, we mainly plant lines of chestnuts, oaks, maples, and walnuts. It is important to execute this project because the area is a very agricultural one with little afforestation. We are planting a diverse forest to preserve wildlife habitats and support the ecological and environmental benefits of the forest. Details: - Altitude of 118 meters. - The soil is loamy with favorable natural drainage or loamy with poor natural drainage. - The composition of the previous stand: ash trees. - The follow-ups of the trees are planned for April 2024 and summer 2025.

The restoration project in Amblève is continuing and can be expanded to a total of 100,000 trees. Following last season’s interventions with 10,500 trees in 2023–2024 and 14,280 trees in 2024-2025, the same approach is being applied to strengthen forest resilience and diversity this season. The Amblève forest consists mainly of conifers, in particular spruce. At present, about 75% of the forest stands are spruce. Localized thinning helps prevent attacks on spruces that are weakened by competition for light. The objective is to gradually reduce the share of spruce to 50%. To achieve this, clear-cutting is avoided. Management is carried out through thinning and progressive canopy reduction, which irregularizes the stands and initiates assisted natural regeneration. Spruce requires a lot of light to grow well in its adult stage, which means little light reaches the forest floor. Natural regeneration is therefore limited, making external planting of young trees necessary. In the cleared patches, beech is planted. This species is well adapted to shaded conditions and is introduced at high density, as it tolerates competition well in its early years. This approach also protects the young trees against late frost and drought. In larger clearings, other species are introduced according to the conditions of each parcel. The long-term goal is to establish irregular stands with varied age classes, increasing resilience to unexpected events. The project takes place in a rural and agricultural region known for its extensive forest massifs and numerous trails, where hikers, riders and cyclists come to experience the rich nature around the Amblève river.

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 Ingung Kapia, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we plant native tree species on degraded soils to restore biodiversity and create meaningful employment for local communities through manual planting work. Since we began in 2022, our reforestation program has taken on the challenge of restoring the natural environment and preventing further desertification of the region. Looking ahead, our long-term vision includes well-considered forest management, designed to relieve pressure on DR Congo's precious old-growth jungle. Our planting target is 1,000 trees per hectare at survival, achieved by initially planting 1,250 trees per hectare to account for natural loss. The species mix is intentionally diverse, combining native forest trees to support soil recovery and ecological resilience. The full list of species planted includes: Millettia laurentii (Wenge) Cassia siamea & Cassia floribunda Pentaclethra macrophylla (Owes) Piptodeniastrum africanum (Osing) Hevea brasiliensis Uapaca mole (Ontang) Canarium schweinfurtii (Mbidi) Prioria balsamifera (Mwana Mpembe) Ricinodendron heudelotii (Ongiel) Erythrophleum gabonensis (Onkok) Guibourtia demeusei (Ladzum) Paramacrolobium coelucum (Obwar Osur) Prioria oxyphylla (Tshitola) Pterocarpus soyauxii (Padouk) Ceiba pentandra (Obel) Milicia excelsa (Mulundu) Leplaea cedrata Pachira aquatica (Nguba Mindele) Staudtia kamerunensis Ongokea gore (Ndeke) Acacia auriculiformis Acacia mangium Maesopsis eminii Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (Labong) Dacryodes normandii Celtis tessmannii Pycnanthus angolensis Nauclea diderrichii Pericopsis elata (Afromosia) Millettia drastica Coffea arabica & Coffea robusta Autranella congolensis Entandrophragma gabonense (Tiama Blanc) Khaya grandifoliola Treculia africana Combretum welwitschii Afzelia bipindensis Millettia versicolor (Ablo) Olong Obol Mbem Dileka Nkokoking The full reforestation plot spans 52.5 hectares. We began planting in 2022, and by the end of 2024 the entire plot was fully funded, a milestone we are incredibly proud of. This work is made possible by a dedicated team of 150 day laborers (136 men and 14 women) from the local community, ensuring that forest restoration directly translates into livelihoods and long-term investment in the land by the people who depend on it most.

In Ingung Kapia, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we plant native tree species on degraded soils to restore biodiversity and create meaningful employment for local communities through manual planting work. Our reforestation program has taken on the challenge of restoring the natural environment and preventing further desertification of the region. Looking ahead, our long-term vision includes well-considered forest management, designed to relieve pressure on DR Congo's precious old-growth jungle. Our planting target is 1,000 trees per hectare at survival, achieved by initially planting 1,250 trees per hectare to account for natural loss. The species mix is intentionally diverse, combining native forest trees to support soil recovery and ecological resilience. The full list of species planted includes: Millettia laurentii (Wenge) Cassia siamea & Cassia floribunda Pentaclethra macrophylla (Owes) Piptodeniastrum africanum (Osing) Hevea brasiliensis Uapaca mole (Ontang) Canarium schweinfurtii (Mbidi) Prioria balsamifera (Mwana Mpembe) Ricinodendron heudelotii (Ongiel) Erythrophleum gabonensis (Onkok) Guibourtia demeusei (Ladzum) Paramacrolobium coelucum (Obwar Osur) Prioria oxyphylla (Tshitola) Pterocarpus soyauxii (Padouk) Ceiba pentandra (Obel) Milicia excelsa (Mulundu) Leplaea cedrata Pachira aquatica (Nguba Mindele) Staudtia kamerunensis Ongokea gore (Ndeke) Acacia auriculiformis Acacia mangium Maesopsis eminii Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (Labong) Dacryodes normandii Celtis tessmannii Pycnanthus angolensis Nauclea diderrichii Pericopsis elata (Afromosia) Millettia drastica Coffea arabica & Coffea robusta Autranella congolensis Entandrophragma gabonense (Tiama Blanc) Khaya grandifoliola Treculia africana Combretum welwitschii Afzelia bipindensis Millettia versicolor (Ablo) Olong Obol Mbem Dileka Nkokoking The full reforestation plot spans 38 hectares. We are working hard to secure the funding needed to complete this plot and continue our commitment to large-scale forest restoration across the region.