Projects

Berkeley Reafforestation Trust projects have been located in a wide range of environments. In the UK we are working with a growing number of schools promoting the development in children of a healthy relationship with the natural world through the Forest School Programme. We are also partners in an ongoing programme focusing on Dutch Elm Disease and the search for naturally immune elm stock for future dissemination.

Overseas we have historically worked in areas with widely varying conditions in terms of climate and terrain as well as in the culture and way of life of the communities involved. These include areas of high rainfall (Ecuador) and semi-arid regions (Sudan). Work has been alongside settled farmers (Madagascar) and with pastoralists (Niger). There have been extensive reforestation programmes (Indian Himalayas and Uganda) and small scale fruit tree planting initiatives with individual farmers (coastal India).

The BRT has completed 20 projects in 10 countries since its inception in 1987.

Core characteristics of our projects include: • Emphasis on self help • Sustainability • Priority to indigenous trees • Limited expatriate involvement (overseas) • Forestry being part of wider development programmes (overseas) • Education through experience of the natural world