This project is helping to offset the carbon footprint of Christian German School Chiang Mai (CDSC) and generate data on the suitability of candidate framework tree species for restoring mid-elevation bamboo-deciduous forest. It is also providing novel environmental education activities for the school's pupils.
The project plan evolved during the last quarter of 2019, and several preliminary activities were implemented, including the participation of pupils in tree seed collection, the establishment of a school tree-nursery , promotion of the project during the school fair, and tuition provided to students in tree care and tree nursery management. A site near Ban Meh Meh (Mae Rim District) was selected for the project, in collaboration with the Mae Sa Watershed Unit and planted at the start of the rainy seasons in 2020 and 2021. A total of 1,016 trees (26 species) were planted on the 2020 plot across almost 3 rai and 376 trees (24 species) on the 2021 plot over 1 rai. CDSC pupils and teachers were joined by FORRU-CMU staff, as well as Mae Ram Sub-District Municipality officers and local villagers for planting, maintenance and monitoring of the sites. The trees were cared for by weeding and fertilizer application 3 times over each rainy season. Monitoring for tree survival and growth was implemented at the end of each rainy season. The work at the Ban Meh Meh sites was completed in December 2022. The trees are growing well above the weeds and are on track to meet the school's carbon offset target. The project also generated an enormous amount for species-performance data. For more on that, please access the project report through the download panel.
The school continued with it's carbon-offsetting program by planting another plot at Mon Cham in 2022 - more on that project coming soon
Related articles from the Christian German School Chiang Mai (CDSC)
First-year forest restoration activity, starting with nursery activities in order to collect data from their own plots.
Continuing in their second year with the forest restoration in respective plots, with FORRU as their advisor.