Nature Repair Report for February 2025: Introduction
At Play It Green, our Nature Repair Report for February 2025 highlights how every tree, mangrove, and kelp we plant not only repairs the planet and absorbs carbon, it transforms lives. As we surpass three-quarters of a million trees, mangroves, and sea kelp planted, we set our sights on our next milestone: one million.
This month’s Nature Repair Report focuses on the social impact of our collaborative efforts with Veritree in Senegal, Kenya, and Canada, where reforestation and restoration aren’t just healing landscapes but building stronger, more resilient communities.
Kenya: Empowering Coastal Communities Through Mangrove Restoration
Mangrove forests in Kenya are a lifeline for coastal communities, providing food, income, and natural storm barriers. However, rapid urbanisation and overharvesting have led to their depletion, placing local livelihoods at risk. Through our joint restoration efforts with Veritree, we are not only bringing back biodiversity but also creating economic opportunities for those who rely on these ecosystems.
In 2024 alone, the projects we supported in Kenya resulted in:
- Over 65,000 hours of employment for local planters, many of whom are women.
- The revival of fishing grounds, increasing fish stocks and supporting local fishers.
- The adoption of sustainable harvesting techniques, ensuring long-term benefits for the community.
One of the most impactful changes has been the integration of beekeeping into mangrove restoration efforts. Beehives placed in restored mangroves provide additional income through honey production while promoting pollination and biodiversity. Women’s involvement in these initiatives has been remarkable, with many stepping into leadership roles and creating new economic pathways for their families.
Senegal: Agroforestry Restoring Land and Livelihoods
For decades, groundnut monocropping in Senegal has degraded soil quality and led to biodiversity loss. Our agroforestry projects with Veritree are reversing this trend by planting millions of trees alongside crops, improving food security, income diversification, and environmental stability.
Progress in 2024 across these projects includes:
- Nearly 4 million trees planted in Senegal’s agroforestry regions.
- Training over 6,000 farming families in sustainable agricultural practices.
- 50% of women in these projects now hold leadership roles in farming cooperatives.
By introducing multi-crop farming techniques, local farmers can now cultivate fruits, nuts, and vegetables alongside trees, ensuring more reliable food supplies and reducing dependency on single-crop agriculture. Micro-loan programs and savings cooperatives have also been established, allowing women and small-scale farmers to invest in their land and businesses.
A farmer in Ndankou shared her experience: “With these trees, I can grow food for my children, sell extra produce, and know that my land will stay fertile for years to come.” This shift towards sustainable agroforestry is not just restoring land; it’s rebuilding lives.
Canada: Restoring Kelp Forests and Supporting Indigenous Communities
Kelp forests play a vital role in ocean health, but over 40% have been lost globally due to climate change and pollution. Our collaboration with Veritree, Coastal Kelp, and Indigenous partners along Canada’s Pacific Coast is bringing these underwater ecosystems back to life while strengthening the connection between Indigenous knowledge and conservation science.
Key achievements in 2024:
- Over 1.2 million kelp plants restored along the Pacific coastline.
- Collaboration with Indigenous groups to ensure cultural and ecological integrity.
- 2,500+ workdays created, supporting local economies.
Kelp restoration doesn’t just benefit marine life—it provides habitat for commercially and culturally significant species, such as salmon, rockfish, and abalone. Through partnerships with groups like Coastal Kelp and the Sechelt First Nation, we are combining traditional ecological knowledge with modern marine science, ensuring a future where both people and nature thrive.
One Indigenous leader reflected on the project’s importance: “Restoring kelp isn’t just about the ocean—it’s about preserving our heritage, ensuring food security, and creating sustainable jobs for our people.”
Wrap-Up: Play It Green’s Growing Impact Through Collaboration
The Play It Green community, in partnership with Veritree, is driving real, lasting change—not just in the landscapes we restore, but in the lives we uplift. Whether it’s supporting decent wages in Kenya, empowering women farmers in Senegal, or partnering with Indigenous communities in Canada, every action taken together is a step towards a more sustainable and equitable world.
As we head toward our one-million-tree milestone, we do so knowing that each tree planted represents opportunity—for people, for wildlife, and for the planet. Let’s keep growing together!
Not a member yet?
If you liked our Nature Repair Report for February 2025 and whant to be part of it, why not join our community and learn how to be more sustainable as well. We’ll also plant a mix of 10 trees, mangroves and sea kelp monthly for you. All for £5 per person per month! Plus we give 10% back to a charity of your choice. So what are you waiting for? Time to act and be the change!
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