October 2023
Together, let’s contribute to our planet’s conservation through tree planting!
Dear Fellow Treeserve365 Members,
It’s been a little while since we last gathered through this newsletter, so let’s catch up on the latest happenings within the Treeserve365 community.
Treeserve365 Updates!
Treeserve365 cross-pollination with CCA FR
On September 7th, Treeserve365 had the privilege of joining the CCA FR community to discuss our mission and experiences, as well as to gain insights from their reflections on tree planting.
The engaging conversation shed light on the unique value that Treeserve365 brings to the table. As one participant put it, “Treeserve365 seems like a great place for passionate tree planters to find a safe space to share their projects, challenges, and ideas.”
This reflection deeply resonated with us and has further fueled our commitment to continue this journey of co-learning and co-sharing. Together, we aim to empower one another in our individual and collective efforts to plant more trees, build regenerative communities, and make a significant contribution to the reforestation of our planet.
TheOtherForest experience with the Miyawaki afforestation method
In our September 25th Treeserve365 event, we had the pleasure of hosting Ramona Fickle, the lead strategist of theOtherDada, a pioneering B Corporation from Lebanon reimagining cities as “interspecies habitats” where both humans and other forms of life can thrive. Their journey is about bringing nature-based solutions and biomimicry-based architecture to Middle Eastern cities, making previously overlooked places flourish as forests. Here are the key insights we gained from our conversation with Ramona and Carole:
- Overcoming Challenges in Sustainable Leadership: The journey of leading a social enterprise and afforestation projects in an unfavorable legal and economic landscape highlighted the power of awakened and engaged individuals. Grassroots movements can inspire change at the community level, despite obstacles.
- Nature as Model, Measure, and Mentor: The core approach of biomimicry involves viewing nature as a model, measure, and mentor. This is in stark contrast to regarding nature solely as a resource. It’s about learning from nature rather than exploiting it.
- Redefining Trees’ Role: In afforestation efforts, trees aren’t just tools for carbon extraction but essential stakeholders in the ecosystem. Recognizing and engaging with all life forms in the forest ecosystem, without discrimination, is vital.
From TheOtherDada’s experience with TheOtherForest, which has already planted 10,815 trees and shrubs across 28 species, we learned about the Miyawaki afforestation technique, designed by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki for densely populated cities. It’s adaptable for limited space in urban areas or large-scale projects and has been tested worldwide since the 1980s.
For sourcing trees, TheOtherForest collaborates with specific nurseries, sometimes providing them with lists of needed plants. They also work with nearby nurseries that collect seeds of native trees and engage communities in seed collection and nurturing. Collaborating with local social enterprises for soil amendments is also part of their approach.
Ensuring the long-term maintenance of forests is a challenge. The importance of stakeholder engagement, community involvement in collecting seeds, planting, nurturing, and maintenance, as well as addressing the challenges of pruning and maintenance, was highlighted.
Funding projects and collaboration with other organizations play a crucial role. Some projects are self-funded, while others receive support from local communities, including schools.
Ramona and Carole’s insights emphasize the significance of reevaluating our relationship with nature, promoting a holistic and harmonious approach inspired by nature’s wisdom. Their work exemplifies the potential for positive change, even in challenging environments, when we embrace nature as a mentor and a partner in our journey to build sustainable, thriving ecosystems.
Beyond planting trees, it’s about creating healing and regenerative communities and homes
In our October 27th Treeserve365 event, we had the pleasure of hosting Bena Denton, an Ecological Landscape Designer and Permaculture Professional hailing from Ngāmotu, New Zealand. Bena brought her insights on permaculture and regenerative practices to the forefront, showcasing her projects and the importance of holistic sustainability.
Bena’s work is all about creating edible gardens, healthy homes, regenerative landscapes, and community resilience. Her approach is deeply rooted in permaculture, indigenous culture, and a holistic decision-making process. She shared stories from a range of projects, including pocket neighbourhoods and eco-villages designed to foster neighborly interactions, school gardens and food forests, and regenerative agriculture on farms. Additionally, she gave us a glimpse of her permaculture property, which serves as a hands-on workshop site.
Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Bena:
- Incorporating Indigenous Wisdom: Bena spoke about the importance of drawing from New Zealand’s indigenous culture in her work, aligning with their ethos of guardianship of the land. This approach emphasizes responding to the landscape rather than imposing human will.
- Creating Regenerative Communities: Bena’s framework focuses on the triple bottom line—social good, ecological well-being, and economic prosperity. Her projects utilize permaculture principles and a holistic, eco-centric approach.
- Multi-Functional Trees: Bena stressed that every tree planted should serve multiple functions. For example, they plant native species, including fruit trees, that attract birds, spread seeds, and lead to natural regeneration.
- Paradigm Shifts in Farming: Bena shared her experiences in transforming farming practices towards regenerative agriculture. The key shift involves understanding that trees in the landscape can boost productivity and help mitigate flooding, serving as living fences. Adjusting grazing techniques is another impactful change, allowing plants to keep growing and sequester carbon.
- Engaging Children in Regenerative Farming: Bena highlighted the role of children in this journey. Schools can involve kids in planting small vegetable gardens, enabling them to proudly bring home their produce and instilling an early understanding of regenerative farming.
Bena Denton’s insights and approach offer a refreshing perspective on sustainable living and ecological stewardship. It’s all about embracing nature’s wisdom and working in harmony with it.
What’s next? Stay tuned for more exciting events with Treeserve365!
Treeserve365 November Monthly event: Connecting to trees – Coaching with Reciprocity and Community.
Trees give us a unique opportunity to witness coaching in action. Trees teach us about strength, endurance and resilience, they show us how to manage our energy, use resources wisely, nurture relationships and maintain inner balance. Their individual purpose also serves the whole community, and every part of the tree is essential to the purpose.
For our next monthly event planned on November 25th at 8 AM GMT, we will be joined by Hazel Farrer, a nature and wellbeing coach, corporate trainer, life coach, climate conscious coach and mindfulness teacher.
Join us for this monthly Treeserve365 event dedicated to connection, to understanding natural principles through the language of trees and how trees communicate through their chemical processes, their symbiotic relationships, mutual community and kin-centred living and what this teaches us, and to experience practical co-coaching with trees using examples from forest bathing and one-tree coaching, tree maps and mindfulness techniques. If you wish please bring a plant, small tree or picture of a tree to work with.
Every little step counts…
Remember that any tree-planting action is acceptable! Whether you plant trees independently, as part of a group, or in partnership with professional organizations – with family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, clients etc. It all counts!
We know that we inspire others through our actions so please share your stories with us. We’ll keep a collective tally and share your story to inspire others.
Are you connected with us on social media? You can find details of our social media channels on our website: https://treeserve365.org/,
Until next time, here’s to strong backs and dirty hands!
From Amel, Rachael, and the TREESERVE 365 team. 🌱🌍😁