500 000 TRES IN 5 YEARS – Volunteer Trails

Trees are essential for life — they protect the soil, provide food, improve the climate, and support entire ecosystems. Yet in many parts of The Gambia, deforestation and land degradation are increasing, leaving communities more vulnerable to climate change and environmental challenges.

To respond to this challenge, we launched the “500,000 Trees in 5 Years” Project, a long-term initiative to restore degraded land, strengthen communities, and plant half a million trees across The Gambia. Through community participation, local nurseries, and environmental education, the project helps create a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for people and nature.

Location

The project is implemented across The Gambia, focusing on villages, schools, degraded lands, community spaces, and selected eco-tourism sites where tree planting can restore ecosystems and support local communities.

Duration

The initiative runs for five years, during which 500,000 trees will be planted and monitored to ensure long-term growth and sustainability.

Objective

The main objective of the project is to plant and nurture 500,000 trees in The Gambia, restore degraded land, strengthen climate resilience, and empower local communities through sustainable environmental action.

Beneficiaries

The project benefits:
- Local communities and farmers in rural areas
- Schools and young people involved in environmental education
- Women’s cooperatives and youth groups managing nurseries
- Future generations through improved environmental conditions

Activities

- Tree planting campaigns in villages, schools, and degraded areas
- Establishment of community tree nurseries
- Environmental education workshops for children and youth
- Training for women and youth in sustainable horticulture
- GPS monitoring and reporting on tree growth and survival

Impact

- Restoration of degraded land and improved soil quality
- Increased biodiversity through planting native and fruit trees
- Carbon capture and contribution to climate change mitigation
- New green jobs and income opportunities for local communities
- Environmental education and stronger community engagement in sustainability

How can I support the project?

The project can be supported in a very concrete and sustainable way – by purchasing and planting a tree.

The contribution for one tree is €7.

DONATION DETAILS:

Account Name: VOLUNTEER TRAILS – THE GAMBIA
Account Number (GMD): 6240037610
Account Number (EUR): 6240037611
Swift Code: ECOCGMGMXXX
Beneficiary Bank: Ecobank Gambia Ltd.
Beneficiary Bank Address: 42 Kairaba Avenue, Serekunda – The Gambia.

Our Journey

PHASE I – PREPARATION AND PARTNERSHIP BUILDING

GOAL: Program preparation and establishment of partnerships

Status: Preparatory phase

The first phase of the “500,000 Trees in 5 Years” project focuses on building the foundations necessary for successful and sustainable implementation. During this stage, partnerships are established between local communities in The Gambia, volunteers, educational institutions, and supporting organizations. These collaborations are essential for ensuring that the project is community-driven and that the planted trees are properly cared for in the long term.

This phase includes planning, training, and logistical preparation for the large-scale tree planting activities that will follow. Local partners, youth groups, women’s cooperatives, and schools are engaged in discussions about suitable planting locations, tree species selection, and long-term maintenance responsibilities. The project also works with environmental authorities and community leaders to ensure that all planting activities align with national environmental strategies and local needs.

At the same time, the project team organizes training and educational activities for volunteers and participants. These sessions introduce the principles of reforestation, sustainable land management, and climate resilience, as well as practical skills such as seedling care, soil preparation, and tree protection. The goal is to ensure that everyone involved understands both the environmental importance of the project and the practical steps needed to ensure its success.

Another key component of Phase I is fundraising and awareness building. Campaigns, presentations, and community events help raise support for the initiative and promote understanding of the role trees play in protecting ecosystems, preventing soil erosion, and improving local livelihoods. Funds raised during this phase support the purchase of seedlings, nursery equipment, protective tree guards, and monitoring tools needed for the planting campaigns.

Through careful preparation and strong partnerships, Phase I creates a solid foundation for the next stages of the project, ensuring that the reforestation efforts are well-organized, locally supported, and sustainable for years to come.

PHASE II – TREE PLANTING ACTIONS

GOAL: Implementation of tree planting activities

STATUS: Ongoing

The second phase of the “500,000 Trees in 5 Years” project focuses on hands-on environmental restoration through tree planting campaigns across The Gambia. During this phase, volunteers, students, and supporters work side by side with local communities, schools, and village leaders to plant trees and restore degraded land.

These field actions transform the project from planning into practical environmental action, where participants directly contribute to rebuilding ecosystems and strengthening community resilience.

So far, volunteers have already taken part in tree planting activities at several locations, including:

Kids Are The World Nursery School in Brufut (Ghana Town)
An orphanage in Bakoteh
The village of Njau
The village of Kerewan Samba Sira

Tree planting activities take place throughout the duration of the project and continue to expand to new communities and locations.

During these field campaigns, volunteers and community members work together to:

prepare the land and planting sites
plant trees in villages, schools, and degraded areas
collaborate with village leaders and residents in selecting suitable tree species
organize educational activities about environmental protection, trees, and biodiversity

The project prioritizes locally adapted and climate-resilient tree species, such as baobab, mango, moringa, papaya, and other native varieties. These trees improve soil quality, provide shade, support biodiversity, and contribute to climate change mitigation while also offering potential food sources for local communities.

Every participant in the project contributes directly to environmental restoration and community development. At the same time, the planting activities foster cooperation between volunteers, local residents, students, and teachers, helping build a shared sense of responsibility for protecting nature and creating a greener future.

So far, we have planted 76 trees, marking the first step on our journey toward our ambitious goal of planting 500,000 trees.

GOAL: 500 000 TREES IN 5 YEARS

NUMBER OF TREES PLANTED 0.0152%

PHASE III – EXPANSION TO NEW VILLAGES

GOAL: Long-term monitoring and continuation of the project

STATUS: Initial implementation

The third phase of the “500,000 Trees in 5 Years” project focuses on long-term sustainability, community ownership, and continuous environmental impact. The goal of this phase is to ensure that tree planting is not a one-time activity, but a lasting process of ecological restoration led by local communities.

This phase emphasizes local responsibility for tree care, environmental education, and the development of sustainable nursery systems that will continue producing seedlings for future planting campaigns.

Community Tree Nurseries

One of the key components of Phase III is the establishment of community-based tree nurseries. These nurseries will grow native and climate-resilient tree species that are well adapted to the local environment.

The nurseries will be primarily managed by youth groups and women’s cooperatives, who will receive training in:

seed collection and seedling preparation
care and maintenance of young trees
sustainable planting and tree protection methods
organizing local tree planting campaigns

The project aims to train at least 100 local residents, while the nursery network is expected to produce around 60,000 seedlings for future planting activities.

Environmental Education in Schools

Education is another central element of this phase. Through partnerships with local schools, the project introduces the program “One Student – One Tree.”

Within this program, students:

plant their own tree
participate in caring for its growth
learn about biodiversity, climate change, and environmental protection

Over the course of the project, approximately 20 educational workshops and community events will be organized, involving at least 800 students and community members.

Strengthening Community Responsibility

To ensure long-term success, the project supports the creation of local tree guardians within participating communities. These individuals and groups help monitor tree growth, provide watering when needed, and protect young seedlings from damage.

Trees will be marked and monitored, helping ensure a high survival rate and allowing the project team to track environmental progress over time.

Through this phase, the project not only restores nature but also strengthens environmental knowledge, responsibility, and community engagement, which are essential for the long-term protection of ecosystems in The Gambia.

How Can You Get Involved in The Project?

Our project focuses on long-term environmental restoration in The Gambia, with the goal of planting 500,000 trees over the next five years. At the same time, we aim to strengthen local communities, raise environmental awareness, and connect people from different countries, schools, and organizations.

You can get involved in many ways—whether as an individual, a group, a school, a company, or an organization.

How Can You Get Involved As An Individual?

Even small actions can create meaningful change. Individuals can support the project in various ways—by purchasing and planting a tree, actively participating, or helping spread the message about the project.

Support the project by purchasing and planting a tree

The project can be supported in a very concrete and sustainable way – by purchasing and planting a tree.

The contribution for one tree is €7.

DONATION DETAILS:

Active participation

You can also support the project with your time, energy, and ideas.

You can get involved by:

participating in fieldwork and tree-planting activities in The Gambia
helping organize events
promoting the project and spreading awareness
organizing local environmental initiatives

Every voice, every idea, and every step matters.

How Can Groups, Schools, Companies, And Organizations Get Involved?

The project brings together people, organizations, and communities who believe that meaningful, sustainable change can only be achieved together.

Schools and Youth Organizations

Young people are a key part of a sustainable future. This project offers schools a unique opportunity to provide students with real-life environmental experience. Schools can integrate the project into their educational and environmental activities.

Ways to get involved:

Environmental actions and fundraising
Students can organize events, campaigns, or initiatives to raise funds for tree planting.

Educational partnerships
Schools can join the project as partners by:

organizing environmental events
hosting workshops on sustainability and climate change
raising awareness about forests and environmental protection

“School Tree” – symbolic partnership
Schools can create a meaningful connection with the project by sponsoring a tree planted in The Gambia. Schools receive documentation and the GPS location of the tree, allowing students to follow its growth and impact.

This creates a lasting connection between students and nature—as well as between different countries and communities.

Thematic or project days
Schools can organize dedicated days focused on nature, sustainability, and forests.

Field experience in The Gambia
For groups seeking hands-on involvement, study-volunteer visits can be organized. Students can take part in:

tree planting
working with local communities
learning about sustainable practices

These experiences often stay with young people for a lifetime.

Companies and Organizations

Companies can support the project as part of their sustainability strategy and social responsibility efforts.

By doing so, they contribute not only to environmental restoration but also to the development of local communities and global collaboration.

Tree Planting Donations

Companies can support the project by funding a larger number of trees and becoming official project partners or ambassadors.

Partnership levels:

Bronze Ambassador – 50 trees (€350)
Silver Ambassador – 100 trees (€700)
Gold Ambassador – 250 trees (€1750)

Ambassadors receive:

a certificate of support
the title of Official Ambassador of the “500,000 Trees in 5 Years” Project
the opportunity to be featured online as a project partner
documentation of tree planting

Team Building with Impact – Tree Planting

Companies can organize team-building activities that create a lasting environmental impact.

Options include:

tree planting in The Gambia
employee participation in environmental actions
building connections with local communities

Environmental Days in the Workplace

Companies can also organize eco-days, where employees:

raise funds for tree planting
participate in awareness activities
organize internal sustainability campaigns

Special Campaigns on Global Environmental Days

You can also support the project during important environmental dates:

March 21 – International Day of Forests
An opportunity for a friendly challenge:
Which company, school, or organization can plant the most trees?

April 22 – Earth Day
Organize an environmental action, fundraising campaign, or collective tree-planting activity.

What's next? Together, we can create change!

Every tree is the beginning of a new story—and each one brings us a step closer to our goal of 500,000 trees in five years.

With your support, we can create forests that will grow for decades, positively impacting the lives of people, animals, and entire ecosystems.

Join the project and become part of the change.

So far, we have planted 76 trees, marking the first step on our journey toward our ambitious goal of planting 500,000 trees.

Every tree matters. Every tree brings more shade, more life, and a better future for our planet.

GOAL: 500 000 TREES IN 5 YEARS

NUMBER OF TREES PLANTED 0.0152%

Donation Details

*Once we collect at least 20 trees, we organize transport and planting, allowing us to optimize and minimize transportation costs.