You are only one person, you cannot do everything, but you are one person – you can do something! Have you ever wondered how to start with that first small step? Come and join Greenpop and volunteers from across the globe to plant 5000 trees in one of the most deforested parts of the world and see how your small step leads the way for a Treevolution.

Trees for Zambia is an exciting reforestation project running from 1 July to 22 July 2012. Volunteers from all walks of life will have the opportunity to work and play next to the mighty Victoria Falls and help to plant trees, educate children about conservation and learn about environmental issues through various workshops. Zambia has the second highest per capita deforestation rate in the world.

The forestry Department in Livingstone states the rate of deforestation as 5% annually and this has a great influence on the vulnerability of local communities with knock-on effects such as reduced agricultural production, threats to food security, increased incidence of drought and flooding, loss of wildlife, and reduced fresh water availability. The two main reasons for deforestation in this area is tree cutting for timber and charcoal, as well as poor soil management.

Greenpop is heading north with a clear mission to address this and your role as a volunteer will be vital in helping them to: Develop a culture of planting trees within communities; Educate children on their natural environment; Promote conservation farming methods in the local communities; Help to start a micro tree nursery to provide farmers with an additional income; and create an exciting and stimulating program of practical work, lectures and workshops.

Apart from planting over 5000 trees and helping to preserve Zambia’s fragile biodiversity, volunteers can experience highlights ranging from the opening and closing celebrations with local entertainment and a stay on the banks of the Maramba river, to exciting activities in the Livingstone area such as white water rafting, lion walking and elephant back safaris.

Limited space is available and interested volunteers can visit the Greenpop website or email Zambia@greenpop.org. But whether in Livingstone, Cape Town or the Karoo, may you be inspired to take a small step every day to join in this journey, for “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the next best time is now!”

Greenpop