PlonTYourFuTure annuaf Report and accountj ZOZ5
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Contents
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Page 2-3: Chairman's Message Page 4: Our Vision and Mission Page 5: Highlights 2023 Page 6 : Silvopastoral Systems Page 7-9 : A Journey into Agroforestry Page 10 : Financial Summary Page 11-12: Financial Statement Page 14 : References and Administration Page 15: Thank you and Declaration
Cover: Smallholder farmer Estanislao applying fertiliser around a young cocoa tree in his agroforestry system planted a year ago in Nueva Requena, Ucayali
Below : Smallholder farmer Hugo ready to harvest cocoa in his agroforestry system in Nueva Esperanza, Ucayali
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Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
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Jenny pic
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Chairman's Message
Dear Supporters,
I am thrilled to share with you the incredible strides we have made in 2023. This year marked significant expansion into new territories of the Peruvian Amazon within Ucayali, Loreto, and Huánuco. We proudly welcomed 77 new smallholder farming families into our programme, providing them with the necessary saplings, training, and tools to rejuvenate their land and break the cycle of poverty.
Together, we planted an impressive 314,851 saplings, our highest number yet, successfully restoring native trees to 224 hectares of previously degraded Amazon rainforest. This monumental effort not only revitalises vast areas of degraded farmland, boosting biodiversity, sucking CO2 out of the atmosphere, but also strengthens local livelihoods for the future.
In 2023, I had the privilege of visiting the project twice, engaging with our dedicated field teams and visiting families we work with. I was heartened to witness the remarkable transformation of their farms. In particular it was encouraging to visit a farm in Ucayali we reforested in 2019 (the year we launched the programme in that region) - what was once barren pastures is now lush landscapes, with trees towering over me and already yielding valuable orchard crops like cocoa. These farms also benefit from short-term crops such as beans and chilli peppers, providing a stable income. The native trees offer essential shade and cooling during increasingly dry summers, benefiting the family who said how they like to spend time there during the hot summer days. The positive effects of our work were clear to be seen: enhanced skills and incomes for the farmers, a resurgence of local wildlife, and increased resilience to climate change. These flourishing agroforestry systems inspire neighbouring communities to embrace our regenerative farming practices, and certainly inspire and drive me to keep expanding our work too!
During my second visit later in 2023, I was delighted to see the newly established satellite tree nurseries in Requena and Union Porvenir. During my visit I witnessed thousands of seedlings coming through in the germination beds for a whole range of species including shihuahuaco, huayruro, cedar and capirona. These tree nurseries complement our central facility in Nueva Esperanza, and I was particularly pleased to discuss our new training programme for women, introduced for the 2023/2024 planting campaign. We are determined to offer more employment opportunities for women in our project and tree nurseries is one area which is very compatible with women’s other traditional responsibilities in the home including caring for their children.
This year, we also launched a silvopastoral system, integrating trees, forage, and livestock on the same land. This system allows cattle to graze once the trees reach a safe height, aligning with local cultural practices where keeping cattle provides a financial fallback. Recognising this need, we developed a model that intensifies small herds in a manageable area. We planted hedgerows to provide shade and fodder, using native Amazonian trees and building on local research. The interest in this pilot was overwhelmingly positive, with 10 pioneer families joining and establishing silvopastoral systems on their farms.
We were honoured to host several visits from external parties, including the Ashmore Foundation, who came to see the vital work their grant supports. Researchers from the Zoology Department at the prestigious University Agraria, La Molina in Lima, also visited to learn about our silvopastoral systems and interview farmers. Additionally, we underwent our carbon certification audit by Aster Global, an accredited entity under the Verified Carbon Standard.
Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
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Our commitment to supporting farmers in nurturing and developing their agroforestry systems has been unwavering. Throughout the year, we held numerous field schools and workshops on topics such as pruning timber trees, soil management, fertiliser application, cocoa tree grafting, and integrated pest management, ensuring the trees planted in previous years continue to thrive.
As we move forward, I am optimistic about the future outcomes of the foundations we have laid this year. I extend my deepest gratitude to all our donors, from our steadfast long-term supporters to our new benefactors. Your generosity has been pivotal in amplifying our impact. This is a crucial time for ecosystem restoration and conservation in the Amazon Basin. Your support is essential not only for mitigating climate change but also for enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers as they adapt to its impacts. Your dedication and contributions are creating lasting, positive change for both the environment and the communities we serve.
Best wishes,
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Jenny Henman
Below: Leidy working in our tree nursery in Nueva Esperanza, Ucayali
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Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk 3
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Our Vision
& Mission
Above: Cattle farmer Fernando next to his newly grown hedgerow in his
silvopastoral system
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OUR VISION: Thriving communities in a restored Amazon.
OUR MISSION: To champion community-led climate action through sustainable farming and native species reforestation.
Since 2009, Plant Your Future has been working to restore the Western Arc of the Amazon Rainforest, which stretches across the regions of Loreto and Ucayali in north-eastern Peru. It is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and of critical importance for conservation.
Traditional slash-and-burn agriculture is responsible for about 90% of deforestation in these regions, destroying biodiversity and contributing to climate change. It also traps people in a cycle of poverty; typically, families earn just £100 per month from their small farms, barely enough to cover basic needs, leaving them vulnerable to crisis. By empowering low-income communities, we enable them to transition from unsustainable and destructive agriculture to environmentally-friendly agroforestry. This treebased agriculture system combines planting crops, fruit-bearing orchard trees, and timber trees.
Through this progressive way of farming, communities can reduce deforestation, protect biodiversity, and mitigate climate change whilst improving their livelihoods and increasing food security. In 2015 our project achieved certification by independent auditors Rainforest Alliance under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS) in recognition that we have achieved the highest standards in carbon offset project design, addressing issues around climate, community and biodiversity.
To date, we have planted over 780,000 native trees, restoring 515 hectares of degraded land helping 248 farming families across three regions of the Amazon.
Every part of our project includes training for the families we work with, including workshops and farmer field schools that use the ‘learning-bydoing’ approach. Our expert team of foresters and agronomists work on the ground with communities and establish best-practice strategies to restore the land – increasing biodiversity and mitigating climate change. This practical, hands-on training enables communities to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to transition away from further deforestation. They are empowered to restore and protect the rainforest into the future.
Where we work
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Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
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2023[Highlights]
Our operations have generated hundreds of 'Green Economy' jobs as nursery workers, loading and unloading saplings, preparing the land and planting trees. As well as offering employment opportunities we train local people in the skills needed for tasks, strengthening their overall employability in the Green Economy.
This season we supported 77 new smallholder families to transition away from destructive agricultural practices by implementing sustainable agroforestry models on their lands.
This year we planted an incredible 314,851 native trees across 224 hectares of the deforested Peruvian Amazon.
314,851
Trees planted
224 hectares reforested
This supports the rehabilitation of natural habitats and biodiversity as well as being essential for climate change mitigation.
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289
Jobs created
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541
local people trained
Nursery staff and technical teams receive hands-on technical training, while smallholder families are trained in best-practice agricultural techniques through our tailored programme of farmschools and workshops.
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77
new smallholder partners welcomed into our programme
27 3 types of native tree species endangered tree planted species protected
Our reforestation efforts have created wildlife corridors and enhanced local biodiversity by replanting crucial habitat for threatened animal species that are unable to thrive in pasture areas.
Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
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Silvopastoral Systems: Reintegrating Trees into Cattle Ranches
Innovative Agroforestry in the Amazon
This year, we made significant strides in our groundbreaking work on introducing silvopastoral systems - a fusion of forestry and pasture management - in the Amazon rainforest. In partnership with our donor One Tree Planted, we collaborated with 10 farming families to transform their degraded cattle ranches into thriving silvopastoral system. Our efforts not only aim to restore native Peruvian Amazonian trees to the landscape but also provide a sustainable alternative to harmful deforestation practices.
What Are Silvopastoral Systems and Why Do They Matter?
In Ucayali, the primary cause of rainforest clearance is cattle ranching. Traditionally, large swathes of pastureland are maintained as grassland, supporting low-income cattle grazing. These areas are currently characterised by low biodiversity and are dominated by an invasive exotic grass species, Brachiaria. This grass is not nutritious for the cows and poses a significant fire risk during the hot summer season as it becomes dry and highly flammable. The current model of cattle ranching requires a large amount of land for a very small herd, with farmers typically needing around 80 hectares to support just 20 cows—an average of 4 hectares per cow, indicating a very low carrying capacity. This inefficient land use has been a major driver of deforestation. The land, unsuitable for cattle ranching under these practices, has become terribly degraded, necessitating an urgent intervention. The state of cattle ranching in the region is dire: families are trapped in poverty, and the cows are often undernourished, thin, and suffer from heat stress due to a lack of shade.
A New Model for Sustainable Ranching
Inspired by the need to intensify and improve cattle grazing practices, and tailored to the preferences of local smallholders, we developed a new silvopastoral model. This model integrates rows of native fodder and timber trees into degraded pasturelands, mimicking natural hedgerows that cattle have traditionally grazed. Initially, cattle are kept out while the young trees establish. Once mature, these trees not only provide essential shade and cooling for the cattle but also serve as a supplementary fodder source.
A Vision for the Future
Current cattle ranching practices are extensive and inefficient, with a significant environmental footprint. Our new silvopastoral approach seeks to enhance reforestation efforts and optimize land use. By concentrating ranching activities into a smaller, more productive area, we can free up additional degraded lands for restoration. We are eager to share the results of this pilot project in our next annual report, as we continue to explore sustainable solutions for the Amazon rainforest.
Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
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Above: A 3-year-old agroforestry system in Ucayali, featuring a diverse mix of cocoa trees, pineapple plants, and native timber trees, transitioning from degraded pastureland
A Journey into Agroforestry
At the heart of our vision is the commitment to creating sustainable livelihoods for local Amazonian communities. This approach aims to prevent the need for families to migrate to urban areas for low-paying jobs and provides a viable alternative to deforestation. Extensive research and consultations with both international and national experts have affirmed that agroforestry is a key solution. This farming practice is particularly suited to the Amazon because it helps restore the tree canopy, protecting the soil from heavy tropical rains and allowing it to regenerate and regain fertility.
Agroforestry is highly adaptable, catering to the specific needs of each farm and family. For instance, silvopastoral systems, as previously described, integrate trees with pastureland for livestock. Another variant involves combining cocoa trees with timber species, while yet another mixes pure timber trees with fast-growing crops and shrubs. These diverse approaches demonstrate the flexibility of agroforestry, making it a practical and sustainable option for a wide range of agricultural landscapes in the Amazon.
Planting native tree saplings so that rural, low-income communities can restore their farmland is just the first stage in a long-term partnership. Our local team works with families every day so that they gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to establish an agroforestry plot and turn that into a successful and sustainable farming business.
The most intensive and important stage is the first three years, when families need substantial support to gain the expert skills in sustainable agriculture techniques and to overcome the financial burden of high upfront costs (such as buying specialist tools, equipment, and inputs). By providing these materials, we remove a major barrier that prevents low-income farming communities from taking-up sustainable agriculture.
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Year 1
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Growing saplings & preparing land
When a new farming family decides they would like to join the Plant Your Future programme – usually because they participated in a workshop with our team – the first step is for our team to consult with them and explain how our unique programme works, and what joining will mean for them and their family. The next step if they want to move forward is for our team to carry out land eligibility checks.
They will survey and map the family’s land using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and carry out due diligence checks, such as remote sensing analysis of deforestation history and checks with the land registry for proof of land title. If they pass these checks, the family will participate in further meetings or workshops to understand the project, including meetings in relation to the carbon offsetting, before signing an agreement.
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Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
Between July and October, there is a lot of work to be done in the nursery and for those families who live nearby there will be hands-on practical training on how to grow native trees and crops from seed. The process involves: germination, pricking out, pruning, watering, pest and disease control, hardening up, and finally packing up the sapling to transport to communities across the region.
As well as learning the technical skills involved in cultivating native saplings, farmers will receive support in general nursery management. All those who work in the nursery are paid for their time and importantly they are not expected to volunteer. This ensures that the nursery is run by the community for the community.
Growing saplings & preparing land
Year 2
The start of the new year is our busiest and most time-sensitive period. The team has to plant out thousands of saplings during the wet season – a short window of opportunity that usually runs from December to April.
During this time, much of the team’s efforts are focused on soil restoration and land management to ensure the saplings survive and thrive. Fertilising the land to create healthy soil is very important and we work with farming families to train them in natural fertilisation methods, such as planting canavalia – a native nitrogen fixing ground cover plant. We also use a mulching technique using the nutrient rich leaves of the guaba plant.
A time consuming but crucial activity is to carry out regular weeding; in the tropics, weeds grow back fast and if they aren’t controlled they can out-compete young saplings, leading to stunted tree growth. Three months after the saplings have been planted the team carries out a survival check and any trees that have died are replanted.
Between January and April, the farmers start to plant crops in the alleys between the young trees. These crops can be harvested in a short time so that families can generate an income quickly. The types of crops that we grow vary a little depending on the soil and the farmer’s preference, but popular choices are charapita chilli peppers, cocona, manioc, bananas, and maize.
Below: Newly planted tree saplings in a silvopastoral system, Huánuco
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Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
Towards the end of the year, the team supports families in selecting the cocoa species they wish to use for the grafting which will begin early the following year. It is necessary to graft the tree to improve yields and taste of the cocoa beans, ensuring better production and increased commercial value.
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Year 3
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Investing in future value
During the first few months of the new year, the team will visit each farm to demonstrate and carry out grafting of the cocoa trees. This should only be done once the initial tree has grown sufficiently and established itself, to ensure the tree remains robust to local climatic conditions. Each beneficiary is given technical training in how to graft cocoa trees so they can enhance their skills and knowledge.
During year three, it is important that farmers keep on top of pruning. This is to ensure that the timber trees have a good value, as a long straight trunk without branches will bring them a higher price in the long term when it comes to selective harvesting. Additionally, pruning of the fruit trees is critical for making sure that a good harvest is achieved the following year.
A lack of pruning can mean the agroforestry systems become too dark, increasing humidity and risk of pest and disease attack. Farmers have to be alert to signs of pest and disease in their trees, and be sure to notify our technical team so we can help them control them before the young trees are damaged.
Below left: Smallholder farmer Modesto busy grafting a cocao tree in Loreto Below right: Smallholder farmers in Huánuco being shown how to prune their trees to promote upward growth
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Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
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Financial
Summary
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Above: Smallholder Guillermo standing in front of his newly planted agroforestry system in Huánuco
In 2023 our income continued to grow.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | £133,239 | £193,152 | £291,390 | £371,035 |
| Expenditure | £94,869 | £148,028 | £287,376 | £356,069 |
| Funds Carried Over |
£38,370 | £45,125 | £124,888 | £139,854 |
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Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
Financial Statement
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Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
Financial Statement
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Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
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References and Administration
Registered charity name: Plant your Future
Registered Charity Number (England and Wales): 1134720
Registered address: Wood View, Combe, Witney, Oxon, OX29 8NQ
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Website: www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/plantfutureperu Facebook: www.facebook.com/PlantYourFuture Instagram: www.instagram.com/plantyourfuture_peru
Registered Bank: CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ
Accountants: Lewin Accounts Ltd, Mercury House, 19-21 Chapel Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 3HN
Pro-bono Legal Support: Hogan Lovells
Structure and Governance
Trustees
Additional governance information:
Jennifer Henman William Longden Toby Parkes Alison Merifield (Joined May 2024) Tripurari Prasad (Joined May 2024) Barry Firth (Resigned Oct 2023)
Type of governing document: Trust Deed How the charity is constituted: Trust Trustee selection methods: Appointed by existing trustees
Plant Your Future works closely with partner organisation ‘La Asociacion Civil Planta tu Futuro’ to implement activities in Peru, sharing the same mission and strategy.
Board of Directors of ‘La Asociacion Civil Planta tu Futuro’ are:
Board Member & President: Jenny Henman Board Member & Secretary: Luis Campos Baca Board Member & Treasurer: Jaime Fernandez-Baca
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Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
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Join us in Planting the Seeds of Change
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We are currently fundraising to support our farmers with capacity building and the ongoing maintenance of their agroforestry systems, creating sustainable incomes whilst also restoring the precious Amazon rainforest and its biodiversity.
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Your generous donations will directly impact the lives of farmers and contribute to the
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preservation of one of the world's most vital ecosystems. Together, we can make a tangible difference and ensure a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.
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Please donate today at our website: www.plantyourfuture.org.uk.
Thank You!
We would like to thank all those who have made our vital work possible and have helped us restore the Amazon and alleviate poverty. We are so grateful for your generous support.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved this trustees’ report. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
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Full name: Jennifer Henman Position: Chairman Date: 6th August 2024
Registered Charity England No. 1134720 - www.plantyourfuture.org.uk
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