Thailand Hilltribes 2022 Project Report

PROJECT REPORT THAILAND HILLTRIBES 2022

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

D e a r f r i e n d ,

T h a n k s t o y o u r s u p p o r t , a t o t a l o f 7 2 9 , 4 0 2 t r e e s w e r e p l a n t e d t o r e s t o r e 5 8 4 h e c t a r e s o f l a n d i n c o m m u n i t i e s a c r o s s C h i a n g M a i a n d C h i a n g R a i .

P l a n t i n g t r e e s i n a r e a s t h a t h a v e b e e n d e g r a d e d o r d e f o r e s t e d h e l p s t h e e n v i r o n m e n t b y a c c e l e r a t i n g a n d a s s u r i n g t h e r e - e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f h e a l t h y f o r e s t s . T h r o u g h r e f o r e s t a t i o n , t h e c a n o p y i s r e s t o r e d , e c o s y s t e m s a r e m a d e w h o l e , a n d b i o d i v e r s i t y c a n t h r i v e .

N o n e o f t h i s w o u l d b e p o s s i b l e w i t h o u t y o u . O n b e h a l f o f e v e r y o n e a t O n e T r e e

P l a n t e d , t h a n k y o u !

W h a t f o l l o w s i s a r e p o r t o u t l i n i n g t h e p r o j e c t y o u s u p p o r t e d i n T h a i l a n d . I h o p e y o u e n j o y r e a d i n g i t a n d t r u l y f e e l t h e i m p a c t y o u h a v e m a d e .

OVERVIEW

This project worked within the intersection of poverty alleviation and environmental degradation to heal watersheds and end hunger for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities Partnering with marginalized ethnic minorities and hilltribes near the border of Myanmar who typically lack basic human rights, including the right to own land, this project empowered local farmers to plant and nurture over 700,000 trees.

The trees were strategically planted on common and private lands in partnership with local authorities to improve food security, enhance livelihoods, and boost biodiversity. The partnering farmers are now nearly twice as likely to plant native species, have higher crop yields than nonparticipants and have decreased levels of poverty. As poverty decreases, competition for resources (such as land and fuel) eases, and communities can come together to improve and conserve the environment in their subwatersheds.

TREE SPECIES PLANTED

Tree species and planting locations were selected by community members and smallholder farmers based on their needs and preferences. As such, farmers are highly motivated to think long-term and care for the planted trees over time. In general, reforestation through agroforestry is prioritized as it is essential to restoring ecosystems, improving livelihoods and promoting environmental stewardship. Understanding the complexity of rural poverty and its link to environmental degradation, our on the ground partner works with smallholder subsistence farmers to transition their overexploited and exhausted land from high input monocultures to multistory, diverse and dynamic agroforestry plots.

SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT

Coffea arabica (coffee)

Citrus sinensis (orange)

Dimocarpus longan (longan)

Litchi sinensis (lychee)

And many, many more!

WE SINCERELY THANK ONE TREE PLANTED DONORS FOR MAKING THE RESTORATION OF THE LANDSCAPE IN NORTHERN THAILAND WATERSHEDS POSSIBLE. THIS RESTORATION EFFORT HAS HELPED SMALLHOLDER FARMERS RESTORE THEIR LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS BY INCREASING THEIR INCOME, IMPROVING THEIR FAMILIES’ NUTRITION, AND STRENGTHENING THEIR SENSE OF AGENCY.

YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP

Our on the ground partner facilitates communities to plant in common areas, forest areas, and smallholder farms. This project worked in the following three subwatersheds: Nam Kohk, Hoi Lui, and Mae Na Wong. They are located in northern Thailand, very close to the border with Myanmar. The closest major city is Chiang Rai. This area is known as the “Golden Triangle” with a long history of illegal drugs and human trafficking. The majority of the families we partner with are ethnic minorities (hilltribes) often from Myanmar, with no legal status or rights in Thailand. Our work is focused around 292 households in these three subwatersheds including seven community forests.

DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT

Through authentic and informative storytelling, we help donors relate to the people who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happening on the ground.

PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT

ARTICLE ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS

The tree planting and agroforestry initiatives in northern Thailand yield a number of ecological benefits, one of which is carbon sequestration Across the entire project, it is estimated that each household will sequester 6 2 tons of CO2eq annually, with a total reach of 353,000 tons of CO2eq per year

Despite being located near water catchment areas, hilltribe communities tend to face water shortages. One of the primary objectives of the project is to assist upland communities to develop their water resources for consumption, sanitation, and hygiene. Erosion is also a problem for farmers living in hilly areas. Many hilltribe farmers can now create contour strips of crops to conserve the soil. The contours were planted in horizontal lines along hillsides. When the rains come, the tree and plants hold back the top soil so it doesn’t wash away. Finally, trees nourish and revitalize the soil, promote biodiversity, improve water sources, and stabilize weather patterns. The project strategically works in mountainous areas and hillsides, thus preventing erosion, decreasing pollution, and preserving crops through storms.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

The partnering farmers experience a number of community benefits from the newly planted trees and the agroforestry training they received including flourishing crops. Globally, our planting partner’s partner farmers have 37% higher yield of key crops compared to nonparticipants. They also produce 40% more diversity of crops. Often, farmers will intentionally plant trees among traditional crops, further increasing yields.

Better crop yields, along with improved sources of clean water, lead to better family and community nutrition, health, and opportunities. Diets become more diverse and plentiful. Farmers can also sell excess crops and fruit to generate income for their families and communities, and to invest in their community-led savings and loan groups In turn, they can invest in small businesses, children’s education, and more 64% of participants are women, many in positions of leadership, targeting gender equity and inclusion Improved food and income also allow farmers to gain resilience, especially in the face of unexpected shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic

U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

WHAT ARE SDGS?

Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate) our impact on the planet. Trees are one such solution.

From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting trees can address all 17 sustainable development goals.

"Planting trees here will protect, restore, and conserve Thailand's forest and related resources. As the trees grow, they will largely benefit local farmers and their community, improve soil and water conservation, store carbon, regulate extreme temperatures, increase wildlife habitat and improve the land's capacity to adapt to climate change.”

KM Reyes Project Manager Asia Pacific