Ecosystem Rehabilitation
The project of planting native trees helps to restore degraded forest areas, promote forest protection and sustainable forest management at three main ecosystems:
- Mangrove forest
The project supports the rehabilitation of 8 significant areas of mangroves forest and river reserves (eg. Pulau Tanjung Surat, Johor; Kuala Gula Mangrove Forest Reserve, Perak; Lekir Forest Reserve, Perak; Tebuk Mendeleng, Sabak Bernam, Selangor; Sg. Acheh, Pulau Pinang; Sungai Merbok Forest Reserve, Kedah; Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu; and Kampung Buntal, Kuching, Sarawak) and enhanced the protection of adjacent mangroves, which in turn contributes to climate stabilisation, coastal erosion protection, increase in fisheries and provide livelihood and essential sources of protein for the coastal communities.
- Peat swamp forest
The project supports rehabilitation of three (3) sites with peatland forests (eg. Raja Musa Forest Reserve, Bestari Jaya, Selangor; Nenasi Tambahan Forest Reserve, Pekan, Pahang; and Binsuluk Forest reserve, Beaufort, Sabah), which are critical for preserving global biodiversity, provide safe drinking water, minimise flood risk and help address climate change. Besides, the project helps in reducing the risk of peatland fires and haze, and protection of peatland water sources.
- Lowland forest
The project supports the rehabilitation of three (3) inland sites (Kinta Forest Reserve, Perak; Bukit Kiara Federal Park, Kuala Lumpur; Durian Tunggal reservoir catchment, Melaka) and protect forests and water sources, recreation and eco-tourism options. The project also promotes sustainable biodiversity conservation as the planted trees will provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and fauna.
Carbon Sequestration
Walk4Trees also contributes to carbon sequestration via planting of mangroves, Dipterocarps and other indigenous tree species which function as a carbon sink that removes greenhouse gases.
This project is estimated to reduce net carbon emissions by over 200 tonnes at the end of its three-year monitoring period.
Community Livelihood
This project empowers local communities (from the B40 group as well as Orang Asli) in community nursery development and maintenance, planting and maintaining the planted trees. This includes 24 community groups with different socio-economy background and some of them has involve in community-based forest/ mangrove rehabilitation activities. The project also provides additional income for the local communities (from the B40 group) and help to protect, restore and rehabilitate the forests around their villages / surrounding landscape. At the end of project, the project will provide a sustainable alternative livelihood for the community to continue increase their income through seedling buy-back system, allowances for nursery maintenance and tree planting and monitoring.