Great Green Wall Initiative
The Sahara Desert is expanding South destroying ecosystems and agricultural livelihoods. This phenomenon is caused by climate change and decades of mass deforestation. The deforestation comes from desperation and with the increased desertification of the region many are forced to leave their communities and families in search for a better life. Era is working with local communities and partners in Senegal to restore the forests of the Sahel, provide jobs for people in need, and encourage sustainable agriculture initiatives that will benefit communities long-term. We are a part of the Great Green Wall Initiative, a movement to stop the spread of the Sahara through revegetation. Our work in Senegal includes both mangrove and terrestrial restoration.
Project Goals
plant millions of trees
restore the Sahel
provide employment to communities
stop the spread of the Sahara
sustainable agriculture
Transforming Life
people leaving home in search of income
loss of vital forest causing land degradation
land left idle
desertification
loss of habitat for marine species
jobs and opportunity at home
a protected and productive forest for the community
sustainable and profitable agriculture
revegetation and improved soil conditions
increased mangrove habitat
From Deteriorating to Regenerating
Mangrove Restoration
Senegal is one of only two countries in the Sahel that has mangroves. Mangroves play an important roll in the Great Green Wall Initiative as they prevent erosion.
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Coastal communities rely on the species that live in the mangrove estuary for their livelihoods. Through restoration of the area it increases habitat for fish and shellfish that are core to the local economy. The estuary also creates ecotourism opportunities that benefit both community and local ecology.
Sahel Restoration
The spread of the Sahara into the Sahel is displacing communities across Africa. Agricultural livelihoods are lost as soil conditions deteriorate. This process still has hope of being reversed and there are many community driven projects that have seen incredible success. The Great Green Wall Initiative is a huge project that takes the coordination of many nations and organizations.
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Restoration Era working with communities to create sustainable agriculture projects, encourage assisted natural regeneration, use Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, and reforest to create a barrier for communities against the Sahara. These projects address communities current and long-term needs.
Explore more details about Era's Great Green Wall Projects on Explorer.land
Articles on the Great Green Wall Initiative
World Economic Forum, Jun 18, 2021
Goffner, D., Sinare, H. & Gordon, L.J. The Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative as an opportunity to enhance resilience in Sahelian landscapes and livelihoods. Reg Environ Change 19
Christine Dell'Amore, January 7, 2010, National Geographic
About Your Donation
You are donating to Restoration Era, partner of The New Horizons Foundation Inc. Your donation is fully tax deductible in the USA and is applied directly to Restoration Era's work. Thank you for partnering to create a brighter future.