������

Forests are the beating heart of our planet. Yet the decisions governments make – on finance, land use and climate policy – push them closer to collapse.

Acclaimed US artist Mitch Epstein on his quest to photograph America’s oldest living trees, as told to ������’s trustee, Stephen Barber

In the dry, rugged landscapes of northern Kenya the Pokot community faces deep-rooted challenges of gender inequality and environmental degradation. But Caroline Menach is leading a movement to change landscapes and lives.

This spring the roots, woven deep below Hadrian’s wall, are quietly at work. Drawing energy from the soil around them, the tree is sending out tentative new shoots. Year by year we will witness the irrepressible power of nature at work.

From the slopes of Uganda to a barn in north Yorkshire, journalist Lucy Denyer explores the journey of coffee.

These were not just trees. They were cherished landmarks and for many, living symbols of continuity in a fast-changing world.

At an animal rehoming site, one of Oxfordshire’s largest community tree planting projects entered its final phase, bringing together over 350 local volunteers to plant around 10,000 native trees at the Blue Cross in West Oxfordshire, UK

“My father’s 102 years’ old, so he was born in the same year as ITF,” said Dorothy. “He remembers the Lower Imenti when it was thick with old growth trees. I used to play in the forest as a child and hear the birds singing.” But in the past 50 years the forest had been steadily stripped of its trees. And the birds disappeared.

In a time when urban expansion often takes priority over green spaces, it’s not every day you hear about a local council choosing nature over profit. Yet, in the heart of Ealing, within the boundaries of the M25, an extraordinary project is taking root – literally.

In 2022, I visited a degraded site in Dundori and witnessed the community's efforts to restore an area larger than Hyde Park, covering the hillsides with fresh seedlings – each of them was about knee-high at the time.

In Kenya there are 1,100 native tree species, of which 10% are threatened with extinction. So we’re working with local communities to ensure that none of these precious trees go extinct.

Dorothy Naitore, a passionate environmentalist from Meru, Kenya, is leading efforts to restore degraded forests and promote sustainable living.

We drove to the edge of the national forest in search of these trees planted back in 1956. And then, suddenly, we found them—majestic East African camphor trees, towering above us. Native to the region but increasingly threatened, these trees are known as “elephant medicine”.

School children are growing up in a climate crisis, surrounded by news of rising temperatures, droughts, floods, and disappearing wildlife. But when they plant trees, they become environmentalists, working to create a greener future.

For over a century, a golden thread has run through our work – putting communities at the heart of restoration. We know that when we work hand in hand with local communities, supporting their vision for their landscapes, we see lasting change on the ground.

At ITF, we know that empowering communities is essential for the success and sustainability of restoration efforts. From Kakamega rainforest to the great Imenti Forest, we work with local community groups to champion environmental monitoring.

After reading one of 2024’s best new books about trees, ITF Trustee, Stephen Barber, shares the many tree themed books he’s enjoyed, from sixty years ago through to his current reading list.

Your support is the foundation of a special partnership, one that brings together nature lovers, concerned citizens, local grassroots organisations, experts, and visionary communities. Together, we are helping to bring landscapes back to life.

Explore these 10 easy-to-implement ideas for creating a more planet-friendly lifestyle.

James reflects on the dazzling beauty of fleeting autumn colours.