If a Tree Falls...
A New Community Project effort to protect and restore forests in the Amazon, Sudan and Burma

Forests are a key part of life on earth—yet around the world they are falling fast. NCP is working with our partners to protect and reclaim forests for the good of the ecosystem—and those of us who depend on them! Learn about our work—and how you can help:

• The Amazon
• Sudan
• Burma

Powerpoint and script to promote If a Tree Falls... in Vacation Church School or other setting

Amazon—going, going….

Where would we be without the Amazon rainforest? We'd be without 20 percent of the world's oxygen production, millions of tons of carbon-storing capacity, a key part of earth's rainfall system, one-third of the world's biodiversity, medicinal plants, thousands of native people who call the rainforest home, and one of our last places of wildness and wonder.

And yet we're letting it disappear! Every year on NCP Learning Tours to Ecuador we see more and more of the forest cut to make way for oil production, cattle ranches or timber harvesting. Our friends the Siona and the Cofan are doing their part to protect the forest, but they can't do it alone—for one thing, there are 90 percent fewer of them than just 40 years ago.

NCP is trying to do its part. We've just finished purchasing 137 acres of threatened forest beside the Cuyabeno cological Reserve, one of the most biodiverse spots on earth. Our partner SELVA called this parcel “a dream come true.” Now it's time to reforest the 10 acres that was cut by the previous owner by planting 3-tree series that includes a canopy tree, understory tree and shrub of the forest floor. We're also looking for additional land to preserve.

Want to help?

Plant 3 trees for $3
Replant an entire acre for $400
Preserve one-tenth acre / one acre of rainforest for $20 / $200

Save the rainforest now or send your donation by mail. Every contributor receives a cool certificate! And if you donate $40 or more, you can request a free NCP Save the Rainforest t-shirt—just let us know what size to send.

Visit the Amazon on a Learning Tour! More Amazon info!

Sudan — trees of peace

Preaching the gospel of trees… Paskwale Ben is a Sudanese man on a mission—to plant thousands of trees in his war-ravaged land. Not a bad idea anywhere, but especially here, since the UN says that until Sudan replants its trees and restores its environment, there will not be peace—as a ruined ecosystem breeds conflict over remaining resources. And Paskwale sees planting trees as a way for his impoverished neighbors to improve their standard of living, as the trees provide food, medicines, building materials and wood for sale.

NCP supports Paskwale by providing tools, seeds, and transportation to deliver the seedlings, and modest pay for his workers. Our annual assistance for this project totals $12,000.

Plant trees now!

$10—plants 100 seedlings
$30—provides a worker's stipend for a month
Any amount—pays for tools, water pumps, fencing

Burma : one step at a time

Like many parts of the world, Burma (also known as Myanmar ) is fast losing its forests. Along with the usual consequences of changing rainfall patterns, more erosion and less biodiversity, there is another one—girls and women have to walk further and further to gather wood. It's a daily chore for millions of the world's women, taking hours of time and lots of just plain hard work.

NCP is supporting a community-based reforestation effort led by Jimmy, the guide for NCP treks into the Palaung hill tribe areas during our Learning Tours. Jimmy is planting thousands of seedlings a year in these communities. Along with preventing soil erosion and stabilizing rainfall patterns, the trees provide firewood, medicines, lumber,and fruit. The Pin Sein tree is particularly useful: not only do its limbs grow back after being cut for firewood, but its leaves have medicinal properties and can be used to make a popular sour soup.

$10 purchases 200 seedlings

Buy seedlings now!