About Us

About

Welcome to Mother Trees

Helping Today
Helping Tommorow

Mother Trees is an international organization harnessing the power of trees to restore degraded landscapes with best practices in regenerative agroforestry and forest ecosystem restoration.

Through its flagship approach, the Lifetree program, Mother Trees deploys a comprehensive agroforestry and forestry initiative designed to address critical challenges in the agricultural and forestry sectors across Africa. In Senegal, the conventional crop intensification model has proven inadequate, jeopardizing livelihoods, degrading soils, contributing to biodiversity loss, and aggravating the effects of climate change which has led to adverse environmental and economic impacts.

The project responds to these challenges by leveraging Mother Trees’ proven success in implementing sustainable agroforestry models in the region. The program’s objectives encompass training farmers, rehabilitating farms, forming agroforestry cooperatives, and building the capacity for forest restoration through the Lifetree System.

The agroforestry design promotes resilience, sustainability, moisture retention, and natural pest control, aligning with the program’s overarching goal of fostering prosperity and resilience. The initiative also addresses socio-economic aspects, promoting improved income, enhanced food security, youth employment, entrepreneurship, gender equality, and social inclusion.

Our Story

The Origins of Mother Trees

Mother Trees was founded by John Leary, a passionate environmentalist and advocate for sustainable agriculture with 20+ years experience in the field. John witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of monocrop agriculture in the Peanut Basin of Senegal. Once fertile lands had turned into arid wastelands, plagued by sand storms and environmental degradation. Inspired to make a difference, John set out to develop a solution that would restore the land and empower farmers.

Our Impact

Economic Empowerment

On just 2 acres of land, the Life Tree System can yield $1,000 per year within four years. It also provides fruits, vegetables, firewood, fodder for goats, and enough compost to replenish soils. This system not only enhances farmers’ incomes but also ensures food security and reduces dependency on a single crop.

Environmental Restoration

The Life Tree System helps in stabilizing soil, retaining water, and enhancing biodiversity. By increasing tree cover, we improve the long-term productivity of the land and contribute to combating climate change.

Social Transformation

Our work goes beyond environmental and economic benefits. The Life Tree System reignites a love for the land and cultivates cooperation, learning, and hope among farming communities. Farmers like Keba, who once felt the despair of depleted lands, now stand tall and flourishing, mirroring the trees they nurture.

Mother Trees transforms barren, degraded lands into thriving ecosystems through the implementation of the Life Tree System

Our Approach

Farmer-Centric Model

We believe in a farmer-to-farmer approach. By using model gardens, such as the one managed by Omar, we teach and inspire other farmers to adopt sustainable practices. Despite challenges like goats and locusts, these gardens serve as beacons of hope and learning.

Personal Stories

The transformation stories of our Mother Trees farmers are at the heart of our mission. Their journey from despair to prosperity reflects the potential of the Life Tree System to change lives. These personal stories highlight the emotional and social impact of our work, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Global Relevance

The challenges faced by farmers in Senegal resonate globally. In the USA, the historical shift towards industrial farming has led to similar issues of environmental degradation and social despair. By reconnecting people to the land and promoting sustainable practices, we aim to address these global challenges.

The Urgency of Now

The world is running out of time for chances. With climate change making weather patterns increasingly unpredictable and environmental degradation worsening, the need for sustainable agriculture has never been more urgent.