Our green commitment – sponsoring the International Tree Foundation

As you know, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously. We were one of, if not, the first shared / reseller / vps web hosting companies to become carbon neutral back in 2007. Many competitors copied our lead. Back then, we identified the best way of combatting our carbon output by sponsoring a charity who truly cares about the environment. We wanted an organisation that wasn’t interested in making profits by selling carbon credits (how often have you seen this?!). We chose the International Tree Foundation, more commonly known as the ITF.

The ITF has started sending a monthly newsletter highlighting the work that they do. We’ve decided to share this newsletter with you because we’re so proud to be a sponsor of such a good cause.

Dear sponsor,
As a valued corporate sponsor I’d like to bring you up to date on some of our projects. Below you will find a number of new projects that we have recently set up partly using your money.

This funding round received an overwhelming number of applications, almost three times the usual number and the general standard of project proposal was very high. We have been able to extend our work in Malawi with two biodiversity focused projects, one on a particularly endangered island on Lake Malawi. We are also pleased to be able to offer repeat funding to CMS in Sudan and Evergreen in Malawi. As these projects develop we will bring you up to date on progress.

I’d also like to remind you to sign up for your widget (see below) which is exclusively available to our corprate sponsors for use on your website.

Many thanks again for your support and I hope this update conveys how important your funding is to us and our beneficiaries. If you’d like tosign up for your widget or get in touch for any other reason please email me.

Best regards

Lorraine Dunk
Director

Newly funded projects
All of our newly funded projects are listed below, we will being you updates over the coming months and years.

British Consultancy Charitable Trust (BCCT)
Forestry Development and Education in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda.

This project aims are to establish a softwood tree nursery to prepare for a major outreach programme where ‘packages’ of demonstrable sustainable practices are supported by a widespread educational programme in the sustainable use of trees for building, in addition to fruit trees for income and diet. BCCT part of the new Agro International Vocational Institute (AIVI), which was created to help c230,000 Internally Displaced People (IDP) to attain sustainable livelihoods in agriculture and supportive building trades after 20 years of total dependency in ‘Protected Camps’ during the war.

Gathering for Community Workshop on Tree Management

Our Lady of Mercy Community Services (OLAM)
Rural Community Forestry in Navrongo, Upper East Region, Northern Ghana

The project goal is to improve family incomes and livelihoods and to contribute to the improvement of the environment in the region through reforestation. This will be done through the purchase of Mango tree saplings which will then be planted in rural areas. The economic benefits of the fruit and wood trees will motivate the beneficiaries to continue to own, maintain and sustain them for future returns. The beneficiaries of this project will be rural women and youths, local groups, associations and farmers.

Development Concern Centre
Tree Protection through Bee Keeping at Bagliga in Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana

The project aims to train 30 women on improved bee keeping, construct thirty bee hives for the target women and provide protective clothes. Bee hives will be placed in the protection of the local community, train individuals not to fell trees for sale, but to sell the honey. The project will also plant trees on river banks, combat bush fires and protect trees.

Lilongwe Wildlife Centre
Green and Clean project in Lilongwe, Malawi

This project has been developed by local communities and People and Wildlife (PAW) Clubs. The project aims to establish and promote tree planting and conservation of forest resources. Community run Woodlots that can be sustainably utilised for fuel, timber, food and medicines. Environmental education awareness workshops in management of woodlands and soils/water will also be provided. The project will also rehabilitate eroded riverside areas, establish community briquette making enterprises and train beneficiaries to self-manage their sustainable fuel enterprises.

Tree Nursery Management

Cluny Wildlife Trust
Improvement of livelihoods of Rural People, LikomaIsland, Northern Lake, Malawi

The project aims to benefit the local communities, comprising 10,000 people in Makungwa, Madimba, Mainja and Chinyanya villages. Creation of alternative fuel wood and building material supply for the local communities to relieve pressure on remaining 70 ha of indigenous woodland on the Island. Training in tree propagation, planting and it’s benefits for livelihoods and better conservation of the indigenous forest area of Makungwa Village Forest.

Repeat funding – Church Mission Society (CMS)
Reforestation and Fruit Promotion Project based in Lui, Sudan and Eriba / Mvara, Uganda.

The main project aims are to plant trees in the community, enable production of fruit for families and the market, train students and children in the production, care and importance of trees. Demonstrate techniques on farmland and to try different species of tree for different environments. In Motho, maintain a Nursery to produce trees and fruit trees for the Lui community. In Eriba, NW Uganda, involvement with an orphanage where vulnerable children are supported to stay in the community. A large tract of land to be developed as a demonstration of profitable, environmentally sensitive tree-based farming. Children coming to the centre can learn and plant at home for their communities to see and implement some of the innovations learned. In Mvara, nr Arua, to establish a small nursery to provide grafted fruit trees and other fruit trees to the community.
Repeat funding – Evergreen Centre for Development
Empowering Communities project, east of Mzuzu City, Malawi

This project aims to alleviate poverty among people of Msongwe Community through environmentally friendly schemes, Bee keeping and FruitGarden schemes and train women and youths in these methods. Establishment of a tree nursery, 4 School Environmental Clubs and hold two Environmental open days. In this region, people depend heavily on natural forests for their livelihood, thus charcoal burning, timber making and firewood selling become the main source of living. Overall, the project is expected to benefit 1600 people and aims to raise general awareness of environmental issues.

There’s some additional information at http://internationaltreefoundation.org/new-overseas-projects/ about these projects.