Planting trees is a popular summer job for many young people. It’s incredibly hard work, requires good fitness, the ability to live in very basic conditions, and pays poorly compared to a retail or restaurant job.
It’s tough, but many people come away from that experience with lasting memories and feeling accomplished, saying it was one of the best summers of their lives.
But Haïdar el Ali isn’t your average tree-planter. He has spent more than just a few short summers dedicated to the cause, and has been working to reforest a Senegalese Mangrove swamp since 2009.
Reforestation is often an uphill battle, but thanks to Haïdar el Ali and his team, this large-scale reforestation project is one of the greatest successes in history.
In the battle against climate change, people like Haïdar are making a big difference.
Senegal is a relatively small country in West Africa, situated along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
It’s a beautiful, colorful country with a rich culture and long history. It’s known for its wildlife, but is off the trodden tourist path, and often over-looked as a holiday destination despite its natural beauty.
Africa is home to so many stunning plants and animals, and keeping a healthy environment is key that success.
Re-wilding forest eco-systems helps to reduce carbon dioxide, prevent natural disasters, and helps many animal species thrive in their natural environments.
The 67-year old ecologist has worked as both the Minister of Ecology, and as the Minister of Fisheries in Senegal. He is now one of Africa’s most famous environmentalists, and acts as the leader of Senegal’s Green Party.
Haïdar has been bringing local citizens together to work on the reforestation project for the past 10 years. They have helped him plant more than 152 million mangrove trees in the Casamance Delta.
The movement has brought back to life one of the largest and most beautiful coastal forests in the world.
Mangroves keep their roots submerged under water, where they store an immense amount of carbon.
Mangroves and other coastal vegetation are some of the most important eco-systems on our planet.
They protect the environment by filtering river mud runoff before reaching the sea, and protect people by absorbing the brunt of natural disasters like tsunamis. They also make the perfect habitat for all kinds of wildlife.
The mangrove forest in Southern Senegal became disrupted by the late 1980s, as newly built roads diverted or ended the flow of rivers, and many of the trees were clear cut for lumber.
Once the sea salt entered the delta and began poisoning some nearby rice farms, the country realized they had a problem on their hands. But the damage had been done.
Haidar took it upon himself to do what he could to save the delta.
He rallies help from locals along the coast, and even in his 67th year of life, continues to swim through the muddy water, planting new buds and fighting for the cause.
“The mangrove is a fantastic ecosystem that attracts rain—and it is well known scientifically that this mud captures methane, and that these leaves capture CO2.”
The Basse Casamance National Park (where the delta is located) is home to more than 250 animal species including rare monkeys, leopards, insects and birds.
Haïdar is dedicated and shows no signs of slowing down. Working towards a healthier environment is his passion.
“I take a lot of satisfaction from this. I’m ready to do it every day, all evening, all my life.”
It’s beautiful to know and to see evidence that it’s never too late to make a change. One seed at a time can replenish an entire forest.
There is still a lot we can do to save the environment and move towards a better, healthier, and more sustainable world!
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