Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) launched the Trees for Schools Initiative on 22nd April 2021 as part of the activities to celebrate World Earth Day with the theme – Restoring Our Earth.

The tree-planting project was made possible with the support from the United Nations Development Programme-Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Nigeria.

The significance of tree planting cannot be overemphasized, because of its importance in helping to combat climate change. The trees being planted will help improve the quality of the environment within the schools, provide food in the form of fruits from the trees, provide shelter and beautify the schools.

It is also important to catch the students at a young age and encourage them to be environmental ambassadors and heroes. The exercise educated the students on why planting trees is beneficial to them, their environment and their communities. They are being encouraged to care and nurture the trees like a child, provide adequate water, sunlight and organic manure for the trees when necessary.

This exercise was also done to sensitize the students and all attendees on the adverse effect climate change is having on the environment most especially agriculture. Many economic trees have been cut down due to increasing population and demand for natural resources which is being used for construction, wood and agriculture.

The Trees for school initiative will encourage afforestation and combat global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  The trees planted include Mangos, oranges, guava, shower shop, palm trees and cashew.

Written by Abimbola Ajayi.