Native Tree & Plant Nursery

Tofo Beach, like many towns along Mozambique's coastline, is under threat. Rapid development and population increases are decimating its indigenous terrestrial flora, wildlife habitats, and the ecological balance. The introduction of non-native plants is further destabilising its fragile ecosystems, especially areas like the primary dune environment. Moreover, sedimentation resulting from coastal development endangers the essential coral reefs.

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 181 out 189 countries on the Human Development Index. More than 60% of the population live along the coast, putting significant pressure on sensitive natural resources.

Tofo’s biodiversity crisis isn’t a recent issue. Colonial actions from over a century ago, where vast lands were cleared for coconut and cashew nut plantations, had already initiated the blow to its native habitat. Today, tourism-driven development is putting additional pressure on the native flora, drastically reducing habitats for local species.

Our native tree nursery boasts a capacity to grow 8,000 trees and stands as the sole nursery of its kind in Inhambane Province, a region that spans 700km of coastline and is inhabited by over 1,500,000 people. The nursery plays a vital role in providing indigenous trees and plants that aid in the restoration of lost habitats, including primary dune restoration, while also serving as a source of food and medicines for future generations.

In collaboration with Dr. Alice Massingue, one of Mozambique's eminent botanists, we are leveraging scientific expertise to ensure the reintroduction of the appropriate flora species into their native habitats.

Mozambique, the 7th poorest country in Africa with a GDP per capita of $491.8 (2021), faces challenges due to the majority of its population living along the coastline, leading to significant pressure on natural resources in a delicate environment. Historical colonial agricultural practices have had a severe impact on native habitats, limiting access to plant species that previous generations relied on. The project aims to restore the natural habitat by reintroducing native trees and plants, which will not only provide food and medicines for the local community but also support the flourishing of ecosystems once again.

Our team is well-positioned to deliver this solution as we have a deep understanding of the local environment and its challenges. With 20 years of experience living in Tofo, we have witnessed firsthand the loss of habitat and are driven by a passion for nature conservation. Our ability to speak the local dialect, Gitonga, allows us to effectively communicate with the community and gain their trust and support. 

By collaborating with leading botanist Dr. Alice Massingue and conducting thorough scientific research, we ensure that our restoration efforts are based on solid knowledge and expertise. The extensive survey of plant species conducted by Dr. Massingue provides us with valuable data to guide our restoration work. 

Our proactive engagement with local community leaders and ongoing communication with the community demonstrate our commitment to involving them in the project and promoting sustainable practices. Through our collective efforts and partnerships, we are dedicated to preserving and restoring the local environment for the benefit of all.

We have made significant progress in our conservation efforts in Tofo. The nursery now accommodates 8,000 trees and has a borehole for reliable irrigation. Over 40 species of native trees, including some endemic ones, are thriving in the nursery.

Our successful tree planting on local community lands, in response to their request for restoration work, has been a key accomplishment. Collaborating with botanist Dr. Alice Massingue enabled us to conduct a comprehensive survey of plant species in the area, identifying 166 plants and guiding our restoration efforts with scientific knowledge. Engaging with local community leaders through numerous meetings has garnered their support and involvement, driving our work forward with positive feedback and encouragement. 

While we have yet to quantify the exact number of customers or beneficiaries served, our focus on establishing sustainable conservation practices and engaging the local community ensures the long-term success of our efforts.

We are applying to increase our visibility through social media and online presence, raising awareness about our efforts to address this issue. If successful, the funding will also be utilized to establish a training center, serving as an educational hub for community involvement through workshops and educational resources. 

This initiative aims to enhance the appreciation of indigenous flora's significance and advocate for reforestation efforts. Additionally, the center will facilitate research activities, such as investigating native fast-growing trees as sustainable firewood alternatives and studying flora resilience to climate challenges.

Our approach to the problem is innovative and unique in several ways. Firstly, our native nursery is the first of its kind in Inhambane Province. By collaborating with a prominent botanist in the country, we are implementing a scientific methodology to our work. Additionally, we are enhancing the experience by providing informative cards for each tree or plant species we cultivate. These cards detail crucial information such as flowering and seeding seasons, as well as the species' ecological roles, including which birds feed on their fruits or seeds. 

Our ultimate vision goes beyond merely selling plants; we aim to promote the significance of each species within the local ecosystem, emphasizing their role in fostering a diverse and thriving environment. If this application is successful, we be exploring ways to share this information online to a wider audience.

Our nursery is dedicated to growing, planting, and supplying indigenous trees and plants to restore the local environment and ecosystem. Our approach is rooted in scientific expertise, ensuring that the right species are reintroduced to their appropriate habitats. By collaborating with the local community, we aim to raise awareness about the significance of native plants and the importance of preserving natural flora.

This collective effort will yield long-term benefits for future generations by providing indigenous plants that offer sustenance and medicinal properties to the local population. Furthermore, this ecosystem restoration will create habitats for a diverse range of bird, insect, and animal species to flourish. 

Our ongoing work on the primary dune restoration will contribute to mitigating coastal erosion and preventing sediment deposition on the nearby marine reefs.

We have conducted species counts on designated lands and utilized drone footage to document the existing flora and fauna. Subsequently, we have initiated planting activities in these areas, with plans to conduct bi-annual data collection. This approach will enable us to maintain comprehensive records showcasing the project's impact on the local environment and community.

Our solution is powered by the utilization of plants to prevent primary dune erosion, restore ecosystems, and offer the local community access to food and medicines derived from native plant species. Simultaneously, we aim to rejuvenate the natural habitat for local fauna to flourish once more. 

Our approach is underpinned by scientific expertise, with guidance from renowned botanist Dr. Alice Massingue. Additionally, we incorporate traditional knowledge of plant species and their uses by collaborating with elders from the local community. To enhance our data collection and impact monitoring efforts, we employ drones for aerial footage and imagery.

The nursery currently has two full-time workers from the local community. We support other members of the community by purchasing seeds, manure and composting materials.

I've been working on the project for over two years now, although it's only this year the nursery has been able to employ full time staff.

The nursery currently only employs two people full-time, but the vision is the develop a landscape gardening section to the project, offering more job opportunities for the local community.

The primary customers of the nursery include local homeowners, foreign investors, and holiday lodges who own land in the area. The nursery stands out as the sole provider of native trees and plants in the entire province, offering a unique service to the community. This enables landowners to plant species that require minimal watering and create habitats for birds, insects, and animals. Given the coastal location and challenging conditions posed by salt and winds, businesses situated on the beach benefit from our plants that naturally thrive in such environments, aiding in stabilizing the primary dune.

The land where the nursery is located was purchased using personal funds, which have also been used to cover the expenses associated with germinating thousands of trees over the past two years. In the previous year, we successfully secured funding from the Irish Embassy in Mozambique, enabling us to establish a nursery with a capacity of 8,000 trees and employing two local community members. 

The revenue generated from the sales of trees and plants will sustain the project's operational costs. Additionally, we are planning to establish a landscaping team that will exclusively design and plant indigenous flora from the nursery on local private and public lands, increasing income revenue and employment opportunities.