In October 2009, Naturefund began a co-operation with Ho'Avy in order to conserve a unique Spiny Thicket forest through a reforestation project in South West Madagascar.

Protect the rare Spiny Thicket forest

In co-operation with the organisation Ho'Avy from Madagascar, Naturefund has supported a reforestation project in Madagascar since October 2009. To the South West of this large island, on the Pacific Coast, lies a unique Spiny Thicket forest with many species that can only be found here. 

As in many places on Earth, poverty, ignorance and the search for mineral resources have meant that more and more of the forest has been destroyed and as a result many species have disappeared. The local people are aware of the changes, though until now they have lacked the means, the knowledge and the support to change this process.

Establishing tree nurseries

In October 2009 we began to establish several tree nurseries together with the Ranobe village, which is located around 30 km north of the regional capital Toliara. Trees were planted for the reforestation of the forest, as well as for firewood, food and as a windbreak for the fields.

In the first stage, 80 hectares should be replanted and a future conservation area should be established, which will later be extended to cover 2,200 hectares. The project is called 'Ho Avy', which means 'future' in Malagasy.