We drove to the edge of the national forest in search of these trees planted back in 1956. And then, suddenly, we found them—majestic East African camphor trees, towering above us. Native to the region but increasingly threatened, these trees are known as “elephant medicine”.

School children are growing up in a climate crisis, surrounded by news of rising temperatures, droughts, floods, and disappearing wildlife. But when they plant trees, they become environmentalists, working to create a greener future.

For over a century, a golden thread has run through our work – putting communities at the heart of restoration. We know that when we work hand in hand with local communities, supporting their vision for their landscapes, we see lasting change on the ground.

At ITF, we know that empowering communities is essential for the success and sustainability of restoration efforts. From Kakamega rainforest to the great Imenti Forest, we work with local community groups to champion environmental monitoring.

Explore these 10 easy-to-implement ideas for creating a more planet-friendly lifestyle.

James reflects on the dazzling beauty of fleeting autumn colours.

The Batwa Indigenous People guided our team through their ancestral home, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, showing them the place that was once their shelter, hunting ground and pharmacy. 

Mazingira Day is a national day in Kenya for environmental awareness and tree planting. And it's a wonderful opportunity to highlight the remarkable transformation taking place in Kitui and Tharaka Nithi counties - regions particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change.

I wish you could visit these areas and witness first-hand the transformation taking place. You would see the forests regenerating and farmers harvesting mangoes from trees they planted with ITF.

To protect nature effectively, we need to spend time in its healing presence.

Joining the International Tree Foundation is not just about stepping into a new role; it's about embarking on a transformative journey that bridges the gap between environmental stewardship and community development.

The women of Uganda share their stories of change, hope and empowerment.

We take our responsibility for thriving trees very seriously! With rigorous planning and monitoring, we ensure our saplings become strong, healthy, life-giving trees.

Marginalised women, people with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples. These are the groups society forgets, but they are amazing agents of change in the fight against the climate crisis!

If you take a trip by plane there is often the choice to ‘offset’ the carbon emitted by your flight. But are these carbon credits actually doing good? And is there a better way?

In every country, in every culture, there are stories and traditions about trees. They make us who we are.

It’s currently the rainy season in East Africa and planting and restoration activities are in full swing. Joshua, Edwin, Korir, Mercy and Wycliffe have been spending a lot of time visiting all of the projects, away from their families.

Deforestation has pushed our natural world to the brink. Landslides, droughts and floods are worsening. But it’s not too late. We can harness the power of trees to protect our future.

Did you ever stop to wonder how some of the old hedges acquired their fantastic shapes — thick, tangled horizontal boughs with vertical trunks, perhaps now fully grown trees?  

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the incredible women in Africa who are at the forefront of environmental conservation.