The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is kicking off its 40th anniversary celebrations in Africa by planting 40,000 fruit trees across Zimbabwe from August to December.  The theme of the #plantafruittree project, “Environmental Safeguarding and Climate Change,” highlights ADRA’s legacy of implementing practical efforts to mitigate the consequences of climate change and improve community health.

“The repercussions of the climate catastrophes are being felt all over the world. Our global humanitarian agency has witnessed firsthand how extreme weather, deforestation, wildfires, and development have resulted in the extinction of billions of trees.  As we commemorate ADRA’s 40 years of disaster response, humanitarian relief, and development assistance, we are committed to promoting initiatives such as tree plantings that not only can help improve natural air quality, decrease erosion, and remove pollution but also generate wellness benefits for residents in all communities,” says ADRA President Michael Kruger.

Also in other countries, planting trees, establishing sustainably managed community forests, reforesting dry areas to bring back ground water and prevent soils from wind erosion, are important parts of our agriculture and livelihood projects.

ADRA encourages everyone to #GoGreenWithADRA by planting two or more trees in their neighborhoods to participate in nature-based solutions that will help to reduce carbon emissions for years to come.

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Text adapted from the original which was first published on adra.org: ADRA Celebrates 40th Anniversary by Planting 40,000 Trees in Zimbabwe | ADRA