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Reforest Nsefu Report 2008
When we started to offer carbon offsetting to our clients, we wanted as much money as possible to go towards the planting of trees and as little in administration. We were pleased to find the Reforest Nsefu project in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, an area with some of Africa’s best game viewing and a fair number of great safari camps.
We’ve sent our clients’ offset payments to the scheme in 2008 and have just received the first annual report which I have left verbatim below. Anyone wanting further information on the project is welcome to contact us.
Project Goals:
To curb deforestation through planting of valuable trees in the Nsefu Chiefdom, offsetting carbon output and proving a beneficial resource to the community.
Activities in 2008
Whiteson Daka
Reforest Nsefu employed Whiteson Daka as an extension officer. Whiteson is a self-professed lover of trees and is very excited to be on board the project. He is from Nsefu and so knows many of the community members making him the ideal person to run the project on the ground. Reforest Nsefu seconded him from the Chinyu Nursery, where all of the trees are grown carefully from seed.
He works part time at the nursery taking care of the seedlings and then spends the rest of his time travelling around different villages to determine their interest in trees, start educational forums and bring trees for planting. He also provides support to the community in how to take care of trees – watering, protection from grazing animals (wild and domestic!) Not much will stop an elephant who has an eye on a tasty shoot but bushbuck can be deterred by a eepee of thin branches creating a protective tent.
The community are showing a great interest in the trees and both Whiteson and Fiona are inundated with requests for trees. However Whiteson is very strict in not giving out trees to just anyone, and ensures that the communities entrusted to look after the trees will do their job – hence our great survival rates!
3 brick stoves
In addition to planting trees, Whiteson is also running educational demonstrations on how to make use three brick stoves. A simple clay bowl is made with hole at the base. This is the inverted and balanced on three bricks. The fire burns much more efficiently and produces a lot of heat, reducing fuel consumption considerably. The clay is collected locally and there are many spare bricks that can be used. New technologies take time to be adopted, but Whiteson is persevering!
Note on tree transportation
As the Chinyu nursery is on the outskirts of Nsefu Chiefdom, transportation of trees is an issue. When there is a vehicle going to the Nsefu, then the back is filled with trees and delivered to the appropriate community. When no vehicle is available trees can also be transported on the back of a bicycle!
Plans for 2009
- plant lots more trees!
- develop community responsibility so there are more tree planting projects spread through the community
- develop nurseries within these communities so they become self-sustaining and there is an over-supply of trees.
- continue with 3-brick stove demonstrations