The Antsanitia planting site is found on Madagascar’s north western coast, just 15 miles from the regional capital of Mahajanga. The landscape is characterised by a deep-water estuary lined with dense mangrove forest that serves ocean life and the local Malagasy alike.

Abundant with giant barracuda, stingrays, mangrove snappers, jacks, and schools of marine life, these forests also serve as an essential fishery for shrimp, crab, and shellfish.

Being a prime target for charcoal producers and tree poachers, the mangrove forest channel has dwindled significantly over the last ten years; this has massively impacted the area’s delicate and diverse ecosystems. Both the government and local Malagasy communities are in support of the long-term conservation and restoration of the old-growth mangrove forest.

The Akalamboro planting site lies on the remarkable Akalamboro estuary, comprising of lowland mangrove forest. The estuary is unique in that it has a deep-water canal connecting with extensive, freshwater river systems; these conditions provide the ideal habitat for a number of endangered species, including the Malagasy sacred ibis (threskiornis bernieri) and the critically endangered giant sawfish (pristis pristis).

Prior to starting the project, excessive charcoal production and wood collection for cooking and construction had severely impacted the health of these diverse and bountiful mangrove forests.

Today, with the help of your sponsorship and active participation from the local community, native mangrove reforestation and forest protection efforts are regenerating the forest and securing the habitats for future generations of endangered species.

On Madagascar’s farthest western point near Cape St. Andre, you’ll find the Vilamatsa village surrounded by lowland mangrove forest. While serving as a vital resource for local people and wildlife, the area’s forests have been severely impacted by deforestation and degradation because of charcoal production and wood collection activities.

The local community have been integral in driving the success of the Vilamatsa reforestation project. Keen to follow in the success of the nearby Mahabana Estuary, village farmers are employed to plant native mangrove species and protect the existing forest infrastructure. The locals have become trusted and committed partners in the long-term reforestation and protection of this important estuary.

Nestled between Route 4 National Road (RN4) and the Betsiboka River Estuary, you will find our Mangaroa/Besely planting site. Initially identified in Eden’s partnership with the Madagascan Ministry of the Environment in 2013, it has been a protected planting site ever since.

Not so long ago, the landscape was covered with dry deciduous forest which harbours a collection of endemic tree species, as well as eight different lemur species. Like many other sites in the surrounding area, the Mangaroa/Besely site was almost completely converted to grasslands by fire, uncontrolled grazing, and slash-and- burn agriculture.

With invaluable help from sponsors, the Madagascan team can continue and grow this reforestation site, restoring the forest’s vitality and preserving the area’s biodiversity. The planting teams use a palette of over 60 different species (including pioneer, baobab, and agroforestry species) alongside diverse planting methods to restore deforested and degraded areas.