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Our Vision

A world where natural farming and forest conservation provide optimal health for people andbiodiversity. We envision a green rural economy that enables farming communities to thrive whilecontinuously regenerating precious farmlands and restoring forests.

About Us

Mother Trees is an international organization harnessing the power of trees to restore degraded landscapes through best practices in regenerative agroforestry and forest ecosystem restoration. Founded by John Leary and Omar Ndao, passionate advocates for natural farming with over two decades of experience planting trees, Mother Trees was born from a vision to reverse the damage caused by monocrop agriculture. After witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of industrial and conventional agriculture on both rural communities and the environment, John worked alongside farmers in fifteen countries to develop a scalable solution that restores land and empowers farmers.

OUR MISSION

To harness the power of trees to make agriculture regenerative and to combat the urgent challenges of deforestation and climate change.

LifeTree Program

Through its flagship LifeTree Program, Mother Trees regenerates degraded landscapes into thriving, food-producing ecosystems using regenerative agroforestry. This holistic model addresses hunger, poverty, and land degradation by:

Restoring tree cover and soil fertility across farms and forests, greening entire landscapes

Strengthening household and community resilience through diversified market opportunities and village savings and loan associations

Eliminating harmful farming practices, including pesticides, agrochemicals, and burning, while promoting nutrient recycling and sustainable land management

Supporting pollinators and moisture retention through beekeeping and beneficial insect integration

By aligning environmental restoration with economic empowerment, the LifeTree Program offers smallholder farmers a sustainable path out of poverty while revitalizing fragile ecosystems.
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.

Recognizing the Problem

Monocrop agriculture, a practice adopted from colonialists, had transformed natural farms into factory farms. This shift led to massive deforestation, overgrazing, and severe soil depletion. The result was not just an environmental crisis but also an economic and social one. Farmers, both in Africa and the USA, were suffering, highlighting that these issues are global and interconnected.

The Birth of the Life Tree System

In response to this crisis, John Leary developed the Life Tree System. This agroforestry model integrates trees into farming systems, restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and providing multiple sources of income and sustenance for farmers.

Our Impact

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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.

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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.

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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.
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Every donation and funds raised are used in the most cost effective way to plant trees, support farmers, fix food systems, restore collapsed ecosystems and degraded landscapes.
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Email Us

info@mothertrees.org

Mail a check

PO Box 2720, Germantown,
Maryland, 20875

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