[ECO]One Equals Two: Size of Wales Tree Program Grows Forests in Uganda and Wales

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Under the Size of Wales program, each child born in Wales leads to planting two trees—one in Wales and another 9,000 km away in Uganda.

Welsh charity

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has achieved a milestone in reforestation, planting over 15 million trees in Uganda’s Mbale region.

Originally founded in 2008, the organization has since expanded internationally, helping restore biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions in an area heavily affected by forest loss. Today, as part of the “Plant!” initiative, the birth or adoption of every Welsh child results in two trees planted—one in Wales and one in Uganda—creating a legacy of environmental stewardship across continents.

Uganda’s Mbale region, with its rich biodiversity and mountainous terrain, has faced severe deforestation challenges, losing 31 percent of its forest cover between 1990 and 2010 due to ******** logging, population growth, and climate-related events. 

Reforesting Mbale helps restore thousands of hectares of natural habitat, benefiting local communities and wildlife alike. The initiative not only

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but also promotes sustainable development by strengthening local ecosystems, helping preserve soil health, and protecting water resources.

Through the “Plant!” initiative, every Welsh child receives a certificate recognizing their contribution to this international reforestation effort. For Mbale residents, the Size of Wales charity has organized a network to distribute tree seedlings and support eco-friendly practices, including fuel-efficient stoves and sustainable livelihoods like beekeeping. 

This community-based approach encourages wide participation while providing families with resources to manage land sustainably and reduce their dependence on firewood, which has been a leading driver of deforestation in the area.

The program’s success has had far-reaching benefits beyond ecological restoration. Reforesting Mbale’s hilly landscape helps prevent soil erosion, reduces landslide risks, and stabilizes water cycles, making it more resilient to changing climate patterns. 

Julie James, Wales’s Minister for Climate Change, highlighted the Size of Wales initiative’s importance in an increasingly interconnected global fight against climate change: “Our pledge to plant three million more every year for the next five years will deliver substantial benefits, not just for those within Mbale, but it will have a considerable global impact on climate change.”

The economic

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extend throughout the Mbale region as well. By providing households with fuel-efficient stoves, Size of Wales has lessened reliance on wood, allowing reforested areas to regenerate while reducing fuel costs for families. 

Additionally, the organization’s focus on sustainable practices like beekeeping offers new sources of income to local farmers who can produce honey, beeswax, and other products in demand locally and abroad. This income diversification supports community resilience and lessens the economic pressures that drive deforestation in the first place.

Beyond Mbale’s local economy, the Size of Wales initiative provides a tangible example of the economic and ecological benefits of reforestation. Healthy forests offer natural carbon sinks, sequestering carbon dioxide and playing a critical role in global climate regulation. This Welsh-Ugandan partnership shows how climate solutions can promote biodiversity and help build local economies while contributing to global environmental goals.

The project, launched in Uganda in 2018, has now impacted over 16,000 people across ten villages in Mbale, and the charity’s next target is to continue planting trees at a rate of three million per year for the next five years. 

The commitment furthers reforestation in Uganda and underscores the long-term importance of

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and environmental conservation. Restoring forest cover in Mbale directly reduces the risks associated with soil degradation, deforestation, and water shortages, providing a stable foundation for communities vulnerable to climate-driven challenges.

Looking ahead, Size of Wales aims to build upon its success by scaling up efforts and introducing new measures that increase both the environmental and economic benefits of reforestation. The project’s dual focus on human and ecological needs offers a model for sustainable development that other reforestation initiatives worldwide might replicate. 

As Mbale’s forest cover expands and local incomes diversify, the charity’s impact is set to ripple through communities and ecosystems, showing how meaningful global partnerships can address pressing environmental challenges.

In an era marked by climate change, the Mbale Trees project serves as a reminder of the power of grassroots movements to drive environmental change. By connecting children to their role in the ecosystem through their certificates and involving Ugandan communities directly, Size of Wales is building a lasting commitment to sustainable practices that strengthen both local economies and global environmental resilience.

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