TREES for LIFE
Kofele, Ethiopia
Trees for Life: Earth Observation artworks is part of a large scale project illustrating that land rehabilitation doesn’t need to be expensive nor abstract. Trees for Life project is directly assisting in the establishment of a tree nursery in Kofele, Ethiopia for farmers and its beneficiaries. The availability of time, labour, shared knowledge and the ability to grow seedlings in a nursery are all within the scope of agro-pastoralist farmers and those new to farming in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian-based charity ROBA is working to ensure Ethiopian participants gain the benefit of trees to create productive landsfrom the establishment of a tree nursery to planting saplings in areas to reverse desertification. The establishment of sustainable tree nurseries has many benefits. Locals from women to youth are gaining skills in tree raising and silvopasture. "Silvopasture" (Latin, silva forest) now also referred to as agroforestry, is the practice of combining trees and the grazing of domesticated animals in a mutually beneficial way.
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Trees for Life engages audiences across several artist facilitated outcomes including:
(1) Skills development for Oromo, Ethiopian participants in tree management, supported through art facilitated storytelling and photography (2) Skills sharing and community engagement supporting larger goals to restore local water and bio-systems through tree care (3) 'Living artworks' observable from space that can be template for other global communities as well as a call to action in planting their own trees and vegetation in patterns that can be recorded by satellite. Creation of 'living artworks' which visually reinforce the critical nature of earth systems, such as trees. (4) Public call for communities to create their own Earth observation land artworks |
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Ultimately the success of the project lies in working with Ethiopian participants to understand land management in a time of climate change. Well planted and tended tree verges can assist to create productive lands with better soils and future-proof sites from climate issues such as excess rain runoff to erosion. Ethiopian participants are also working with the artists on this endeavour to create something really beautiful and unexpected beyond the tree nursery, too.
Why trees and art?
Trees for Life is supporting the seeding of several thousand native African trees, some of which will be arranged in the outline of a tree sapling to form a 'living artwork.’
Of note as much as 83% of water coming to the ground is condensed directly from the atmosphere by trees. The planting of seedling trees will help give rise to a dynamic system that can assist in carbon capture and in water restoration services. Trees and forests act as gigantic condensing systems and are responsible for capturing water out of the air. In the future we should ask ourselves not so much about 'How much rainfall impacts an area? But rather 'What tree cover is in your home city, village or farms?' It is a fact that trees help amplify water and clean air resources.
Why trees and art?
Trees for Life is supporting the seeding of several thousand native African trees, some of which will be arranged in the outline of a tree sapling to form a 'living artwork.’
Of note as much as 83% of water coming to the ground is condensed directly from the atmosphere by trees. The planting of seedling trees will help give rise to a dynamic system that can assist in carbon capture and in water restoration services. Trees and forests act as gigantic condensing systems and are responsible for capturing water out of the air. In the future we should ask ourselves not so much about 'How much rainfall impacts an area? But rather 'What tree cover is in your home city, village or farms?' It is a fact that trees help amplify water and clean air resources.
