In October 2009 Ho'Avy, entered in a collaborative forest restoration funding scheme with Naturefund to protect a unique Spiny Thicket Forest. Ho'Avy together with local people established extensive tree nurseries, in which more than 10 000 native trees of 75 species have been nurtured and 1 500 planted.

The tree nurseries have been used as a training platform, for so-called 'tree-preneurs', who will be trained for independent and continual long-term reforestation. The local people will be involved in an environmental paid service.

"The 'spiny thicket forest' area is unique and only occurs in Madagascar. Many indigenous plants grow here and unique animals have specialised in this biotope. Ho'Avy focuses all efforts to building local capacity through direct involvement, and raising international awareness with Naturefund, working systematically to preservation of this unique forest biodiversity" states Martina Petru, co-founder of Ho'Avy.