Joseph Barker Visits Trees4Trees: 5 Years of Reforestation Progress
Words by Joseph Barker
December 03, 2024
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4m
Five years after my brother George's visit to Indonesia, I had the privilege of being invited by Trees4Trees as a representative of Barker and Stonehouse to evaluate the progress and developments over the past half-decade.
A tree with it's unique Trees4Trees tracking number
Over the past five years, Trees4Trees has achieved remarkable progress, expanding its reach and amplifying its impact. This growth includes increased tree planting efforts, the opening of new offices and nurseries, and greater involvement from farmers and families.
Notable milestones include the establishment of offices and target areas in and around Bandung, as well as a new office dedicated to mangrove restoration in Cilacap. Trees4Trees continues to thrive, driving positive change for people and the planet.
From the perspective of the employees, Trees4Trees’ passion for the environment is more than a value, it's the foundation upon which the organisation thrives. This commitment unites employees, empowers local communities, and drives impactful change for a greener future.
By fostering sustainable practices and creating opportunities for those involved, Trees4Trees stands as a shining example of positive environmental and social impact, benefiting ecosystems, communities, and employees alike.
Trees4Trees Progress Over the Past Five Years
2019
2024
Nursery Capacity
Four locations of nursery in Central Java and West Java to produce more than 6 million seedlings per year and up to 20 species.
Trees4Trees Team
Planting seedlings at the Cireasa Nursery in Bandung
BANDUNG AREA, CIRASEA NURSERY
My First Experience of the Practice
My visit to the Cirasea Nursery in Bandung offered a firsthand look at Trees4Trees' impactful work. At the time of my visit, the seedlings were in maintenance stage and being prepared for distribution, with an ambitious target of 1.6 million trees set for December 1st.
Cirasea Nursery exemplifies community empowerment, employing 68 local workers in an area with high unemployment. Over 20 species of plants are nurtured here, using locally sourced seeds, and the benefits extend beyond tree planting.
The nursery hosts education initiatives not only for farmers but also for young students, offering 3 month internship schemes for 16 to 18 year olds to gain valuable skills. Strong university partnerships ensure a passionate, young, environmentally-focused workforce, with many employees being recent graduates eager to make a difference.
Working in the fields with local farmer Apih
BANDUNG AREA, MEKARJAYA
Farming with Apih
Outside of the Cirasea Nursey in a rural village called Mekarjaya, I had the privilege of living and working alongside Apih, a dedicated farmer and Field Facilitator for Trees4Trees. Since joining the program in 2021, Apih has transformed his livelihood, planting both short and long-term crops such as cassava (1-year harvest), coffee (3-year harvest), and jabon trees (5-7-year harvest). His deep awareness of the environmental benefits drives his vision of leaving a cleaner atmosphere for his grandchildren through the trees he plants today.
Apih’s journey with Trees4Trees has equipped him with invaluable skills, including the ability to make organic fertilisers, and allowed him to inspire others within his community to join the initiative. Furthermore, skills like agroforestry, which provide farmers with a steady income by integrating crops like coffee and cassava by leveraging the canopy of larger trees alongside long-term tree planting.
I worked with him on the fields preparing land as well as walking around his village and local area recruiting new farmers for the program. He also utilises his local social network in his village and beyond to contact and attract more local farmers onto the T4T program. Working alongside him, I witnessed not only his dedication to sustainable farming but also his passion for building a better future for his family and the environment.
Seedlings growing in the Ciminyak Nursery
TREES4TREES' LARGEST FACILITY
Ciminyak Nursery and Office
The Ciminyak Nursery, Trees4Trees’ largest facility, plays a pivotal role in the upcoming AstraZeneca carbon project. Built in just four months, this impressive site includes a nursery and greenhouse, with a target to produce 2 million trees in a critically deforested area, the largest of any Trees4Trees operation.
The nursery not only addresses environmental challenges but also gives opportunity to the local community. With 80 local villagers employed, it provides much-needed jobs and distributes free trees, fostering gratitude and support from the surrounding population.
During my time at Ciminyak, I was welcomed by a wonderful group of individuals passionate about making a difference. I also had the opportunity to attend a cultural haol, a gathering to honour the life of an Islamic school president, highlighting the deep cultural and community connections that enrich Trees4Trees' work.
Travelling by boat to the Cilacap Mangrove Site
CILACAP MANGROVE SITE
A New Deforestation Project
Accessible only by boat, the Cilacap Mangrove Site is located on a small island near the city of Cilacap. Currently spanning 5 hectares with plans for significant expansion, this site is a recent project of Trees4Trees' efforts to combat deforestation and support local livelihoods.
Mangroves thrive in waterlogged soil, making them ideal for this unique environment. Beyond their exceptional capacity for carbon capture and retention, they support biodiversity by fostering ecosystems that attract wildlife and fish. Their leaves also serve as a sustainable food source for local goats, creating a multifaceted environmental benefit.
In addition to replanting mangroves to restore a lagoon lost to deforestation, the project integrates community-focused initiatives, including a fish pond that provides a vital source of food and income through fish and crab farming. This dual approach—environmental restoration and community empowerment—makes the Cilacap site a model for sustainable development and I’m sure the best is yet to come for this project.
George with Mr Tesuki in 2019
PATI
Meeting TreesforTrees Farmer, Mr Tesuki
During my visit to the Pati site, I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Tesuki, a farmer who has been part of Trees4Trees since 2011. Over the years, he has gained invaluable knowledge through the program, equipping him with skills that will benefit his farming for life.
Mr. Tesuki was also met by my brother George five years earlier. Since then, he completed a cycle of Albizia trees. Though the trees faced a disease in their early years, he successfully applied techniques learned through Trees4Trees’ education system—using trichoderma to restore the trees to health.
The income from selling Albizia trees has enabled Mr. Tesuki to send his grandchildren to school, a testament to the program’s profound impact on families. Additionally, he reinvested in planting a new cycle of trees alongside vegetables, ensuring sustainable growth and a brighter future for his family.
Joseph with Mr Tesuki in 2024
Overall, Trees4Trees exemplifies the power of sustainability initiatives to create lasting environmental and social impact. The dedication of its employees, the empowerment of local communities, and its ambitious tree-planting goals all point to a brighter, greener future. This progress not only demonstrates the effectiveness of the program but also highlights the potential for continued growth and collaboration in the years to come. This report proves what my brother suggested in his final report that the potential for Trees4Trees was without bounds. Trees4Trees is now meeting its true potential with its reach and impact stemming far beyond what my father, and other co-founders could have imagined, and once more I believe the best is still yet to come.
For company owners and consumers alike, there are fantastic opportunities to engage with an incredible cause. When buying a Barker and Stonehouse cabinet, bedside table or dining set, look out for the Trees4Trees logo and QR code - your choice contributes to an initiative making a truly transformative impact.