The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world, for the benefit of people and nature. It aims to halt the degradation of ecosystems, and restore them to achieve global goals. Only with healthy ecosystems can we enhance people’s livelihoods, counteract climate change, and stop the collapse of biodiversity. The UN Decade runs from 2021 through 2030, which is also the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals and the timeline scientists have identified as the last chance to prevent catastrophic climate change. The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed the UN Decade following a proposal for action by over 70 countries from all latitudes. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, The UN Decade is building a strong, broad-based global movement to ramp up restoration and put the world on track for a sustainable future. That will include building political momentum for restoration, as well as thousands of initiatives on the ground. Through communications, events and a dedicated web platform, the UN Decade will provide a hub for everyone interested in restoration to find projects, partners, funding and the knowledge they need to make their restoration efforts a success.

One Tree Planted is an environmentally conscious non-profit that provides individuals, businesses and organizations the ability to easily support tree planting initiatives worldwide.We want to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Together we can restore forests, create habitat for biodiversity, and make a positive social impact around the world. We plant one tree with every dollar donated. Since 2014, we have more than doubled the number of trees planted each year, and are working with partners across 43+ countries in North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. Since our establishment, we have been dedicated to making it easier for both individuals and businesses to give back to the environment, create a healthier climate, protect biodiversity, and help reforestation efforts. With your support, we aid in environmental conservation and restoration across the globe!

Since 1980, IAMOE has led research programs, educational expeditions, and experiential workshops in a tireless effort to protect the rainforest and preserve the interaction between indigenous people and plants for the benefit of humanity and all living creatures on earth. We aim to protect and preserve the ancient knowledge, traditions, and natural habitat of the Amazon by creating experiential learning opportunities for people to connect with themselves, humanity, nature, and spirit through talks, workshops, and projects in collaboration with local indigenous people. Forty years ago, Dr Rocio Alarcon was a dedicated field researcher who studied biodiversity in the rainforest. She (and her colleagues) slept in tents in the middle of the jungle. Despite their enthusiasm for the work they loved so much, they eventually grew tired of the harsh living conditions. They dreamed of buying land where they could establish a functional center from which to live and work. Rocio found a very special piece of land in the forest and negotiated its purchase from the local owner. Together with a group of friends, they purchased the property and transformed the infrastructure into the IAMOE Centre. It has always been Rocio’s dream to interact with different indigenous tribes and produce data for science. She is fascinated by how tribes survive in the jungle and interact with plants, and recognizes the anthropological value of this information. From the IAMOE Centre, she has initiated and supported many conservation projects and initiatives. To this day, she continues to study the uses of plants in a variety of ways that benefits mankind, and regularly hosts workshops at the Centre to share her knowledge and wisdom with the world.

Born on outskirts of Belgrade – Serbia in family of 4. Immigrated to South Africa in 1991 “running away” from civil war. Even though that I came to South Africa without papers, money, job or being able to speak English, I made this beautiful country my home. My career took me from being a waiter in the restaurant (my first job here) to Restaurant Manager, Sales Manager in Timeshare Company to MD and CEO of ZA Galvanizing. At the end of the August this year I left my last position of Regional Sales Manager of EXIM International. When it comes to business, I am dedicated, punctual, loyal and organized with the skill set that made me achieve any task in front of me with the high rate of success. Privately, I am nature and animal lover, a bit of the environmentalist and lifelong naturist. I am one of the funders and first Chairman of Western Cape Naturist Association – WCNA and South African National Naturist Association – SANNA. Passionate follower and supporter of South African Rugby and F1 Grand Prix.

I am passionate about my work. Because I love what I do, I have a steady source of motivation that drives me to do my best. In my last job, this passion led me to challenge myself daily and learn new skills that helped me to do better work. I am ambitious and driven. I thrive on challenges and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive toward. I’m not comfortable with settling, and I’m always looking for an opportunity to do better and achieve greatness. I am an excellent communicator. I pride myself on making sure people have the right information because it drives better results. Most business issues stem from poor communication, so I feel a responsibility to keep everyone on the same page. I am results-oriented, constantly checking in with the goal to determine how close or how far away we are and what it will take to make it happen. I find this pressure inspiring and a great motivator for the rest of the team. I am highly organized. I always take notes, and I use a series of tools to help myself stay on top of deadlines. I like to keep a clean workspace and create a logical filing method so I’m always able to find what I need. I find this increases efficiency and helps the rest of the team stay on track, too. I’m a people-person. I love meeting new people and learning about their lives and their backgrounds. I can almost always find common ground with strangers, and I like making people feel comfortable in my presence.

I am 56 years old and love life ! and am engaged to a wonderful man and we have been together for 9 years. I have 1 son who lives in Houston, Texas with his lovely wife and my 2 beautiful grandchildren. I have 1 sister who is sadly disabled. She has Motor Neuron Disease and is paralysed from the neck down. She has had this debilitating illness since 1998. I care very deeply for her and continue to walk this hard, painful journey with her. I would love to one day open up a strung of Care Homes called Mandy in honour of her. Watching your disabled sister struggle every day has been heart breaking but through this I have learnt the art of caring, giving and kindness. To be able to help and be there for those less fortunate than you is a heartwarming experience and exceptionally rewarding. My passion is travelling – I absolutely LOVE IT ! My sport is Golf and because I have such an adventurous, extrovert personality I also love a lot of other things like Boating, Fishing, Cooking, Drinking wine and socialising. The list is so long because I am always willing to try new things and experience new places. I am an extrovert in personality and love bringing out the best in people. My profession at the moment is a Key accounts Manager for a Surgical Equipment company. I have been with them for 14 years. I have vast experience in Sales and Customer service and represent my company by calling on all Hospitals – Private and Provincial throughout the entire Eastern Cape. I work with doctor’s in theatre and am skilled in the sale of Medical Equipment for Trauma, Gynie, Urology, General Surgery, Cardiology, Neurology, Gastro-Enterology, Ultrasound etc. Prior to being a Surgical Rep I was a Medical Rep for 20 years calling on General Practioners, Pharmacists and Physicians selling Pharmaceutical Drugs. I also have experience in the setting up of Vaccine Clinics and GIT Units. My passion is service and looking after my customers. I love to make a difference in everything that I do and work hard. I love to make people smile ! I am a great organiser and get things done. I am very loyal in business and in my private life and am committed to whatever I sign up for. You will always be able to rely on me. I would say that I am a Spiritual person. I have a genuine passion for seeking out the truth of all things. and placing myself on a sacred path of self discovery. I learn every day and try to live my life with a curious, grateful heart. I believe we can all be kind if we want to be and we can all make a difference in someone’s life if we want to. I Want to make a difference in the world ! I know I can.

With Treedom you finance farmers who want to plant trees, supporting their work in the early years, when trees are not yet productive. Treedom provides farmers with know-how and technical support for planting and managing trees. Trees are photographed, geolocated and monitored by Treedom over time. Treedom directly finances small agroforestry projects throughout the territory. The philosophy is to realize sustainable ecosystems and allow thousands of farmers to support the initial costs of planting new trees, ensuring food autonomy and income opportunities over time. The realization of small agroforestry systems allows making precise choices in relation to the specific characteristics and needs of each project area. The tree species planted are native or respect the biodiversity of the different territories. The agroforestry practice also integrates the planting of trees in an agricultural system, favoring the virtuous interaction between the different species and a sustainable use of resources and land. Finally, all trees absorb CO2 in the course of their growth, naturally generating a benefit for the entire planet. Treedom finances projects in rural communities in the south of the world and also carries out projects with a strong social value in Italy. The first step is the training and financing of the communities involved in the projects, obtaining extraordinary results in terms of their own empowerment. The trees and their fruits belong to the farmers, allowing them to diversify and supplement their income and in some cases to launch micro-entrepreneurship initiatives. Financing the planting of new trees with Treedom serves to support the trees' care in the first years of their life, when they are not yet productive in terms of fruit. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations Development Program to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all in the context of a new sustainable development agenda. With our tree planting activities in Asia, Africa, South America and Italy, Treedom contributes to the achievement of 10 Objectives to ensure a sustainable future. In fact, with Treedom a tree is much more than a tree.

Our planet, without trees, is like pizza without cheese. Forests, without trees, are like legs without knees. A garden, minus trees, flaps like sails without a breeze. Please make this post go viral, I ask you pretty please.