The Thai provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, situated near the border with Myanmar, are home to hill tribe communities that have long struggled with poverty and land degradation. These communities farm on barren, degraded hillsides and face numerous challenges, including limited access to basic services. By engaging in reforestation efforts, these communities are working to reclaim the health of their landscapes and ecosystems.
Since work began in 2006, farming families across five watersheds in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces have planted over 2.1 million trees. In Northern Thailand, much of the forest is on community land which is a huge incentive for partnering farmers to plant trees regardless of their land ownership status.
A watershed is a region defined by rivers and streams that all flow into a common, larger body of water. As things improve and agricultural techniques are learned, there is a literal “trickle down” effect throughout the region. By reaching even half the families, the entire region enjoys a reduction in poverty and healthier living.
Hilltribe families are using reforestation and community forestry to gain respect, advocate for their rights, and improve their livelihoods. They get best-in-class, culturally relevant agroforestry training through the "Seeds of Change Curriculum," but the choice of which species to plant and where is up to them.
When ecosystems are restored and deforestation is reversed, the benefits to a community are long term. Trees prevent erosion, increase soil health, purify water, and improve crop production, especially when planted with agroforestry techniques and whole ecosystem health in focus.
Partnering farmers involved with Plant With Purpose programs are true partners, not projects, and agency and decision-making power resides with them. In working with community-led Purpose Groups, families consistently reduce their poverty by more than 50% and bring about economic, environmental, and communal flourishing.
