In just five years, a once-barren piece of land has undergone a powerful example of forest restoration in Senegal. Thanks to the determination of a local family and the support of a global community, the land has become lush, fertile, and full of life. 

Back in 2018, Bassouri and Khodia Seck faced a harsh reality. Their land was dry and lifeless, with temperatures soaring and biodiversity nearly gone. Growing food was a daily struggle. But instead of giving up, they joined forces with Ecosia and Trees for the Future to bring their land back to life.

With the help of these organisations, the Secks planted over 3,400 trees. Their goal was not only to reforest but also to create what is known as a “food forest.” A mix of native trees and crops designed to enrich the soil, retain water, and provide sustainable food for the family and their community.

This approach to forest restoration in Senegal demonstrates how agroforestry can regenerate degraded landscapes. Fast forward to 2023: the land is green, cool, and teeming with life.

The once-barren fields now produce fruits and vegetables, feeding not just the Seck family but serving as a model of regeneration for others. Thanks to this success, Ecosia has been able to support 500 other families in starting similar projects.

Satellite images show a dramatic change: dry patches in 2016 gradually transform into verdant plots by 2022. On the ground, the impact is even more powerful. Photos of the smiling Seck family standing among leafy crops speak louder than statistics.

Stories like this remind us that even in the face of climate change and desertification, forest restoration in Senegal and beyond is possible. All it takes is knowledge, collaboration, and long-term vision.

If one family can do this, imagine what we can achieve together.

About Ecosia

Ecosia is a search engine based in Germany that uses the profit from its ad revenue to fund tree-planting projects worldwide. Essentially, it works like Google or Bing – you type a query, see search results and ads – but the money earned from those ads is directed toward reforestation efforts. As of now, Ecosia has helped plant hundreds of millions of trees in areas affected by deforestation, climate change, and soil degradation.

Learn more about Ecosia’s reforestation projects.

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