Friends of the Environment (FOTE), is a not-for-profit organization of environmentally like-minded individuals and corporate entities championing the re-greening of Zimbabwe through tree planting. The FOTE initiative was pioneered by Nyaradzo Group in July 2010 when they started planting a tree with every burial they undertook. This idea culminated in the registration of FOTE as a Trust in November 2010. FOTE is governed by a Board of Trustees and works with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate together with its affiliate organisations, Forestry Commission and Environment Management Agency (EMA).
Our History
FOTE is the brainchild of Mr Philip Mataranyika, who as CEO of the Nyaradzo Group pioneered the planting of a tree with each burial they carried out since July 2010. This idea was warmly received by the public such that he decided to cascade it further by inviting other corporates to come together and form this entity as a non- profit making organization. FOTE was registered as a Trust in November 2010 and has already commenced tree planting initiatives to date.
To plant a minimum of 500 million trees by the year 2026 in Zimbabwe and beyond.
BACKGROUND
Widespread deforestation has turned out to be one of the chief global ecological tragedies of modern times. Zimbabwe is no exception. Regrettably, it continues at an even more alarming rate fueled by the global demand for timber, paper, land preparation for agriculture, veldt fires, and energy requirements.
Deforestation is considered the second leading contributor to carbon emissions worldwide after the burning of fossil fuels. As forests disappear, so too do wildlife, flora and fauna, aquatic life, and river ecosystems. Forests serve as value stores for biological diversity, and balance of ecosystems and as stabilizers of the global climate.
Unfortunately, our forests are depleting much faster than nature can replenish on its own including current reforestation efforts. In Zimbabwe alone, 330 000 hectares of forests are destroyed annually. At this rate, our forests will be completely wiped out in 52 years (according to the Forestry Commission) and be equivalent to Zaka District in Masvingo Province. It is a sobering statistic and quite mind-numbing. Much of our rural landscape lies desolate. We are faced with creeping deserts. We will never be able to solve the climate change crisis without seriously engaging in reforestation while at the same time stopping deforestation.
Furthermore, the scourge of deforestation is not only restricted to Zimbabwe alone but is affecting the whole SADC region. It is our wish to export this green revolution through our nurseries model into the region. We strongly believe this is the way to go as the results will show.
After the successful inaugural walkathon held at the end of November 2010 that saw people walking from Gweru to Harare, we realized that there wasn't a sufficient supply of tree saplings to meet the huge demand created by the awareness campaign. We then took a deliberate decision to create at least 100 new nurseries at schools throughout the country.