Eden Reforestation Projects
Madagascar has lost more of its original forest than almost anywhere on Earth, and the species that lived in it have nowhere else to go. Most of the island's biodiversity is endemic, found here and only here. When the forest goes, so does an irreplaceable part of the world's natural heritage. The losses are sharpest in the mangroves of the northwest, where coastal communities depend on the same trees for storm protection and the fisheries that feed their families.
Eden Reforestation Projects works in this corner of Madagascar with a model that solves two problems at once. Local villagers are hired and paid fair wages to plant trees, both mangroves along the coast and dry deciduous species inland. The work creates real income in some of the country's poorest communities while restoring the forest those same communities depend on. Since 2007, over 16 million trees have gone into the ground.
Not For Sale supports Eden Reforestation Projects because rural poverty is the root condition behind almost everything we fight against. When the people who used to clear forest to survive are paid to restore it instead, the incentive flips, the income lands directly in the community, and the cycle that pushes families toward migration and exploitation starts to slow.
Field updates
Posts from the planting team19 Jun 2025
Since i...
30 May 2025
This picture was also taken last year showing how the seedlings have grown at our Kandrany planting site, where we started planting in 2023.
30 May 2025
Once settled in the mud, they focus on developing strong roots to anchor them in the soft soil. Over time, they grow slowly, adapting to the tidal environment and filtering excess salt, eventually maturing into full-grown trees.
30 Apr 2025
Unlike most trees, mangroves don’t drop seeds—they release propagules, which are live seedlings that begin growing while still attached to the parent tree. Once mature, they fall into the water and float until they find the right spot to root and grow. This unique adaptation helps mangroves spread across coastal environments, stabilize shorelines, and restore degraded areas naturally.
30 Apr 2025
While not exclusive to mangroves, it can often be found near these ecosystems, where it plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling insect populations.
28 Mar 2025
Found in healthy mangrove ecosystems like those in Madagascar, mudskippers can breathe through their skin and even “walk” on land using their fins. Their presence is a great sign that the mangroves are thriving.
28 Mar 2025
Mangroves can survive in saltwater by filtering out up to 90% of the salt through their roots—or excreting it through their leaves. It’s one of the reasons they thrive along Madagascar’s coasts where few other trees can.
28 Feb 2025
Many rely on fishing for their livelihoods, and planting mangroves plays a crucial role in strengthening coastal ecosystems. Mangroves provide essential breeding and nursery grounds for fish, helping to sustain marine populations and support local fisheries.
28 Feb 2025
Fun fact: Mangroves can filter up to 90% of salt from seawater before absorbing it, allowing them to thrive in harsh coastal environments where most trees would not survive. This adaptation makes them essential for protecting shorelines and supporting marine life.
28 Jan 2025
This helps them anchor securely, allowing roots to penetrate the soil and shoots to reach sunlight. This method ensures high survival rates and supports the rapid growth of thriving mangrove forests.
28 Jan 2025
These propagules grow directly on the tree and can be harvested once they mature, ready to plant immediately without additional preparation. This natural design ensures a high success rate for replanting, as the propagules are already equipped to thrive in their environment. Using these ready-to-plant seedlings allows us to restore mangrove ecosystems efficiently, promoting coastal resilience and biodiversity.
18 Dec 2024
We’re thrilled with their progress so far—in just a few years, they’ll grow into full mangroves, helping to restore Madagascar’s coastlines.
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