Reforestation

Wildlife Alliance’s reforestation project combats the impact of illegal logging and slash-and-burn farming practices while providing jobs to local residents.

A total of 1.8 million trees from 63 different native species will be planted over 1,320 hectares in Phnom Tangnorl in 2008-2011, continuing with an additional 700,000 trees in 2012-2013. Eighty-one workers, primarily women, work in our tree nursery and care for the saplings year-round. Another 150 workers are employed seasonally during the planting season.

In 2010, the Wildlife Alliance Reforestation program planted a total of 180,000 native tropical tree species over 180 hectares (444 acres) on previously logged or degraded land. One hundred-sixty hectares were planted around the commune of Chi Phat where Wildlife Alliance’s Million Tree Nursery is located and a remaining 20 ha were planted in Tuol Koki near Tatai commune, about 20 minutes east of Koh Kong town.

In a typical month the reforestation program works with dozens of different species of trees, starting from seeds and nuts they have collected in the neighboring forests. This ensures that we re-create the abundance and diversity of native plant and tree species. By planting a variety of sizes and types of trees, the reforestation program provides a variety of habitats for birds, mammals, and other wildlife, as well as provide critical ecosystem services such as water storage, ground cover, and anti-erosion.

However, planting trees isn’t enough. Long-term financing through carbon credits for avoided deforestation will be a critical part of the ultimate fate of the forest. The Cardamoms are one of the very first Cambodian projects aiming to receive approval under the UN-REDD (United Nations Collaborative Program on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries) program.