PLANT A TREE WITH THE SOL FOUNDATION

In our previous article we took a look at the benefits of trees. Next we shall look at how The SOL Foundation is helping the communities through planting trees with global collaborative partners. 

1. Education through the school garden program

The School Garden Program has been successfully run in collaboration with a various partners across the globe in schools and community centers where children are encouraged to grow their own food for sustainability. The children, teachers and community members and trained how to plant, what to plant and how to take care of their gardens. These trees help provide the necessary nutrition that they need and also serve as a means of income as they can sell off the surplus. 

The School Garden have help create self sufficiency and sustainable development within these communities. Donating within this cause will help us end global hunger. 

2. Global partnerships & collaborations

Partnering with various global organizations help cover a larger number of people, communities and environment to plant trees and encourage sustainability. With most locations in Asia such as India and Sri Lanka, and in Africa such as East Africa, Mozambique, Cameroon among other countries we are able to reach remote locations and communities in need of help. The plants provide nutrition, income as well as preservation of the environment. 

You can sponsor all these partners which include schools, women groups and orphanages, and help them not only lead a better life but save the environment. Alternatively you can also join The SOL Foundation team and become a partner!

3. Eco Heroes 

This is a network of different organizations working towards a common goal : conserving and preserving the environment. 

We move forward with the support of each other, together. Through this network we can learn, understand and apply environmental solutions. 

Join and become an Eco Hero today! 

4. Virtual Gifts

We all look forward to giving gifts, but some of us struggle with ideas. Through the virtual gift program you can gift your loved one an eternal gift of trees, leave your legacy and their and the best part is you get a chance to customize the gift vouchers with a special message from you. 

This is not only a gift for your loved ones but for yourself, the coming generations, animals and the earth. 

For more detailed projects and updates make sure you check out The SOL Foundation. 

Thank you to all those who shared their views on importance of community planting. Let us take a look at some of the feedback:

Facebook 

Hajj Munga -

"It is believed that backbone is the most important part of human body. When it comes to the environment, in reference to environmental sustainability, I can say trees are the backbone of the environment. To back this statement, let's take a look at the role played by trees in biogeochemical cycles that is; Water, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus cycle.

In water cycle, trees play a role of ensuring ground water are back to atmosphere. In oxygen and carbon cycles, they act as oxygen producers and carbon sinks through photosynthesis thus increasing and reduce the levels of oxygen and carbon in the atmosphere respectively. In nitrogen cycle, some tree species act as nitrogen fixation agent and the same to phosphorus.

In general trees are important since they play a major role in biogeochemical cycles, thus they help in ensuring a state of balance in biogeochemical equations."

Global Initiative for Young Environmental Stewards -

"Improved air quality: Trees act as natural air filters, absorbing pollutants like dust, smoke, and harmful gases, leading to cleaner air for communities to breathe.

Reduced climate change impact: Through photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, mitigating the effects of climate change and creating a cooler environment."

Instagram

@karuvadgraphy -

"This space is not enough to write about the benefits" 

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy -

"Fresh and organic food"

PROTECTING TREES FROM WINTER FREEZE

Winter is another harsh climatic condition in some parts of the globe, as well protecting ourselves and property, we need to make sure to care for our trees and plants. 

Extreme temperatures below 32 degrees sustained over some period of time are cold enough to freeze your trees' buds/blossoms, fruits, leaves and/or twigs. Trees most likely to be damaged by freeze include Citrus, Jacaranda, Catalpa, Oleander, Eugenia and other tropical/subtropical plants.

These two actions are most important before harsh winter: 

1. Protect your trees and plants by covering them with burlap, sheets, tarps, etc., that extend to the ground to trap in the earth’s accumulated warmth. Use a frame or stakes to minimize contact between the cover and the foliage.
2. Keep plants well-watered.  

How to plan ahead when expecting extreme cold weather: 

• Remove turf/weeds from under trees’ canopies since bare soil absorbs and reflects heat best. Wood chip mulch prevents soil moisture loss and insulates roots.
• Plant frost-sensitive plants near sources of reflective heat (like buildings, walls, etc).

How to help trees recover after freeze: 

• Do not prune anything off immediately. Wait to see what sprouts in the spring; the damage is often not nearly as bad as it initially looks, and new growth may come out of tissue that you thought was dead.
• If the effects are severe enough and your tree has lost “shade,” protect the now-unshaded portions of the trunk/branches from the sun, with a physical cover or with whitewash (1:1 ratio of latex paint and water).
• Remove frosted/mushy fruit while still salvageable, for snacking on or juicing.

Part 9: CASE STUDY

Why Rainforests? 

Rainforests are the earths most essential ecosystems which are needed for our survival. The Amazon forests houses more than 50,000 insect species in just 1 single mile! 

Deforestation has brought about an increase in carbon in the air by contributing over 12% of all Carbon dioxide emissions. 

Climate change is no longer up for debate and deforestation plays a major role which needs to be addressed NOW. Here are some NGOs which are working towards reducing the impact of deforestation and you can work with them virtually in the fight with deforestation. 

The Seed of Life Foundation

The Seed of Life Foundation is an NGO whose vision is to give back to the environment and aids in planting trees to combat deforestation. They provide many services including educating people globally on the urgency of planting trees and taking care of our environment. 

Other services which you can actively be involved in include: 

• Taking part in fundraising and charitable drives for orphanages in Africa. 
• Plant a tree from wherever you are to any location you prefer
• Gift a tree to your loved one
• Plant a memorial tree for your lost loved ones
• Collaborate with schools in building school gardens

Website the-sol-foundation.org

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theseedoflifeproject/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theseedoflifefoundation/

Twitter https://twitter.com/TheSeedof_Life

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/seed-of-life/

Blog https://the-sol-foundation.blogspot.com/

email admin@the-sol-foundation.com

Cool Earth

Cool Earth is a charity that works with local people (Peru to Papua new guinea)  to halt deforestation and climate change. They work with communities and people who want to protect the forest in which they live by equipping them with the tools and skills to be able to protect their rainforest.

You can log into their website coolearth.org and help by:

• Donating to local communities 
• Educating others about the need to reduce deforestation and the dangers of climate change
• Shop and sponsor trees through their online virtual shop 

Part 6: INDIVIDUAL POLICIES

As discussed in our previous chapters, deforestation does more destruction than good for our environment and society. We will now focus on what measures we can put down for reforestation. In this chapter we focus on individual policies. What can you do to reduce deforestation and its negative effects.

1. Education

• Educating yourself and passing it on to others is the first step you can take towards reforestation. Get to know what deforestation is and its effect and the seriousness of how its affecting you and your future generations.
• Online material can be found from sites like National Geographic. Books available include Global Deforestation by Paolo D'Odorico and Forests and Climate Change: The Social Dimensions of REDD in Latin America by Anthony Hall. Alternatively you can listen to podcasts with Thomas Mann or Jonah Busch regarding deforestation or watch YouTube videos regarding the same from National Geographic. 

2. Use Renewable Wood Resources

• Sustainable, locally sourced wood can be used and charcoal for cooking or heating homes is a great alternative to fossil fuels especially if locally sourced. 

3. Reduce Meat Consumption 

• The consumption of meat has a major effect on deforestation because producing meat, particularly beef, uses large amounts of land. In recent years, much of the new land for meat production has come from clearing tropical forests. 

4. Reduce Consumption of Palm-oil based Products

• Today palm oil production is the largest cause of deforestation in Indonesia and other equatorial countries with dwindling expanses of tropical rainforest. Indonesia's endangered orangutan population, which depends upon the rainforest, has dwindled by as much as 50% in recent years. 

5. Reduce the Use of Paper

• Instead use recycled paper products including printing paper, notebooks, napkins and toilet paper. 
• Adapt to simple habits such as trying to print or write on both sides of paper, using less toilet paper and avoiding paper plates and napkins in order to reduce paper wastage. 
• Use paper alternatives such as wood-free uncoated paper and cotton paper.  

 6. Purchase from sustainable companies

• Purchase from companies who are committed to reducing deforestation such as Nestlé, L'Oréal and Unilever. 

 7.  Plant Trees

• Planting a tree is one of the easiest and powerful methods of combating deforestation log onto https://www.the-sol-foundation.org/ to plant a tree from your personal space. 
• You can also own an indoor garden or take care of a potted plant and later release is to the forest. 

 8. Use bio-degradable products

• Buy recycled products or use products which you can recycle them. Be considerate and avoid wastage and responsibly dispose off waste ( Recycle them! ) 
• You can purchase products such as plantable pencils, handmade soaps and bamboo toothbrushes from Go Green with Chilo & Pri based in Mombasa, Kenya. 
• Other companies selling re-usable products include Worldcentric for biodegradable bags, dishware and cutlery, papelyco for plantable plates, Tipa for biodegradable flexible plastic among others. 

 9. Practice Zero-Waste

• Zero- waste means to generate little or no waste. We should buy only what we need and reuse whenever possible. Let us try to be considerate about our environment protecting our trees and helping those who cannot meet their basic needs by practicing zero waste in every aspect of our lives. 

There are many other ways that an individual can help save our beloved trees from being cut down. Remember charity begins from home and you need to practice these and more methods to conserve our environment before you tell others to do so.

Let us take a small initiative today towards reforestation and help make a difference in the lives of our coming generations. 

411 Chestnut Trees

• There are 9 different species of chestnut native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
• The four main species are commonly known as European, Chinese, Japanese, and American chestnuts, some species called chinkapin or chinquapin.
• It has a lifespan of 200 to 800 years, depending on the species.
• The Hundred-Horse Chestnut is the largest and oldest known chestnut tree in the world. Located on Linguaglossa road in Sant’Alfio, on the eastern slope of Mount Etna in Sicily it is generally believed to be 2,000 to 4,000 years old.
• The nuts are an important food for jays, pigeons, wild boar, deer, and squirrels.
• Chestnut can be consumed raw, baked, boiled or roasted. It also can be dried and milled into flour, which can then be used to prepare breads, cakes, pies, pancakes, pastas, polenta or used as thickener for stews, soups, and sauces.

The Seed of Life® Goals

Many of us become the victims of depression, anxiety, outcast within our family members, and most of all alone, confused and hurt. When we started The Seed of Life®, we realized, each of us are broken, but that doesn't necessarily mean we bleed on Earth by destroying bit by bit.

Instead of bleeding, we united with each other and started creating a small path of difference in our lives to make path of better future. We don't like to "die" or be forgotten, while still being alive.

We want to live, make a difference, and whoever is forgotten or "dead" we would like to pay respect and attributes to them by respectfully planting a tree in their memory. Keep their legacy alive for next generation(s) to come!!!

The Seed of Life® is committed to Restore Nature | Plant Trees | Honor a Life | Give Hope | Leave a Living Legacy