Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief

Did you know that the simple act of planting a tree can help build healthy communities in rural Africa? That's because...

Everything is connected

Without adequate forest cover soils become depleted
Without fertile soil, food production declines and hunger increases
Without secure food supplies and clean water, good health is impossible

Often, we don't think about the fact that trees are a crucial ingredient to sustaining good health - especially in rural African communities.

Yes, it's true - trees are a source of life!

In Africa, trees provide many of life's day-to-day necessities:

Trees help increase food production by returning moisture and nutrients to the soil
Trees add moisture to the air, which can increase rainfall and help combat famine producing drought
Trees provide food, medicine, wood products, fuel and income
Trees clean the air for the entire global community and help prevent global warming

Cutting down too many trees leads to a cycle of soil degradation, reduced food production, hunger and drought. In countries like Ethiopia and Malawi for example forest cover has fallen below 10 per cent.

When concerned global citizens like you support PAT, your gift will fund tree planting projects and help provide food, income and shelter, while preventing soil erosion, pollution and famine.

CPAR has been raising funds and awareness in support of tree planting and community forestry projects since 1986. Since that time, we have planted more than 50 million trees!

Yes, we are making progress and with your support we can do even more to help build healthy communities in rural Africa.

Everything is connected

You can Plant a Tree in Africa today. Make a PAT donation in your name or in the name of a friend or relative, or purchase a PAT product. Proceeds will go towards tree planting and building healthy communities in rural Africa.

Click here to find out about how CPAR's current projects which are supporting environmental sustainability (PDF document)

You can support PAT by making a donation in either your name or in the name of a friend or relative.

The more you give, the further it goes!

$60 plants 120 trees
$100 plants 200 trees
$250 plants 500 trees

A donation of $30 plants 60 trees, $100 plants 250 trees and $200 plants 500 trees. Give a gift that changes lives.

Plant trees today!
Plant a tree in honour of a friend or family member.
Plant a tree in memory of a friend or family member.

You Fly, You Donate, We Plant

Plant a Tree in Africa - Offset Your Carbon Footprint from Air Travel

About Plant a Tree in Africa

CPAR has been planting trees in Africa since 1986 as part of overall efforts to build healthy communities. Trees are planted as part of reclamation of agricultural land and for community uses such as fuel wood and construction materials as alternative to cutting natural growth forest.

CPAR works with communities to establish tree nurseries which provide a steady supply of seedlings which include local varieties of trees and which are suited to the local environment. Average survival rates of transplanted seedlings from these nurseries is 70%.

Tree planting complements CPAR's efforts to help communities become more food secure as trees help restore nutrients to the soil and can also be used to prevent erosion and run-off thereby increasing the fertility of agricultural land. Trees themselves also provide food in the form of fruits and nuts which are used to supplement local diets.

How the Off-set Program Works:

You fly. You donate. We plant.

CPAR uses the international Trees for Travel standard for calculating the number of trees needed to offset air travel (1 tree for every 3000 passenger kms) and also factors in the 70% average survival rate for seedlings from CPAR nurseries in Africa. The donation required is based on the average cost to CPAR of 50¢ per tree plus an additional administration charge of $5 per order.

Here's how it works:

Round Trip from Canada to Ethiopia = 24,000km = 8 Surviving Trees = 12 Trees Planted

= Donation of $6.00+$5.00 administration fee = GRAND TOTAL DONATION $11.00