In a significant step toward ecological rehabilitation and sustainable forest management, Form International, hummingbirds, and Equatoria Forestry Company (EFC) have partnered on a large-scale forest restoration project in the Mount Kei Central Forest Reserve, Northern Uganda. The project, which spans a total of about 42,000 hectares, aims to restore degraded forest land, capture carbon dioxide, provide high-quality timber and generate socio-economic benefits for local communities.
Over the past two years, these organizations have worked together to lay the foundation of this ambitious project, balancing ecological and economic priorities to create a lasting positive impact. Now, the focus is on concrete implementation, with tangible actions to restore the landscape with natural forests and production forests.
Rutger de Wolf, Senior Forestry Expert at Form International, expresses the organization’s enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are excited about the opportunities this partnership presents and the positive impact it will have on both the environment and communities in Uganda. Together, with Equatoria Forestry Company and hummingbirds, we are committed to realizing a more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Restoration efforts and climate impact
The Mount Kei Central Forest Reserve has faced significant environmental degradation in recent years. The project aims to restore 27,000 hectares of this land into natural forests, while 15,000 hectares will be dedicated to commercial tree plantations with high-value species like teak.
Through this balanced approach, the project not only seeks to restore biodiversity but also to develop sustainable timber production, contributing to the local economy while ensuring long-term ecological stability. The project integrates assisted natural regeneration (ANR) and active indigenous tree planting techniques in a green heart at the centre of the forest with commercial plantations surrounding it, creating a protective belt. As Rutger de Wolf explains: “We believe that the presence of the plantations around the natural forests will further protect and enhance the conservation of the natural zones. Active and daily presence of the company for its plantation management will reduce the risk that encroachment and other illegal harvesting practices will re-occur once the natural zones have been restored.”
One of the core aspects of this project is its role in carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from the atmosphere. Through reforestation and forest restoration efforts, the activities will result in removing up to 5 million tons of CO2 over the next 40 years, contributing to global climate change mitigation. For this, the project aims to generate carbon credits verified by the Carbon Standard VERRA under the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) and Community, Climate and Biodiversity (CCB) standards. The carbon credits will not only support global climate goals but also provide financial sustainability for the project, allowing continued investment in restoration and forest management.
Victoria Labourdette, Project Director at hummingbirds, emphasizes the significance of the project’s climate impact: “What we’re doing at Mount Kei is not just about planting trees—it’s about creating long-term resilience against climate change. By capturing CO2, we are contributing directly to global climate targets, but equally important are the local benefits that come with it. This project showcases how forest restoration can work hand-in-hand with community development.”
Socio-economic benefits for local communities
Beyond its ecological and climate benefits, the Mount Kei project has a strong focus on the socio-economic development of surrounding communities. A key element of the initiative is the creation of local jobs. It is anticipated that as the organisation grows, the project will provide from 400 to 600 jobs, with additional jobs during peak seasons. These positions will span across the project’s various phases, from nursery management, plantation activities and maintenance to wood processing. This not only provides steady employment for local people but also strengthens the region’s economic resilience.
The project also incorporates sustainable agricultural practices such as intercropping in-between the tree lines. By growing food crops alongside tree plantations, local farmers can produce essential food supplies, ensuring that land use benefits both reforestation efforts and livelihood. This integrated approach supports the rehabilitation of degraded areas while providing immediate, tangible benefits to the community.
Further, a program to support agriculture in the forest surrounding will be implemented to improve livelihood and mitigate the risk that forests are cleared again in the future in the search for fertile agricultural land.
Victoria Labourdette highlights the essential role of intercropping in the project based on Form International’s successful experience in Ghana, they proposed the intercropping model. It’s a win-win because it allows farmers to remain on the land while we continue the restoration process, providing jobs and improving agricultural practices for better yields.”
Economic and environmental sustainability
The partnership between Form International, hummingbirds, and Equatoria Forestry Company is built on a strong business case for sustainable forest management. The project not only focuses on forest restoration but also on the production of valuable timber products. High-value teak timber, cultivated through sustainable practices, will provide a long-term revenue stream, ensuring the project’s economic viability even after the carbon credits issuances end. This dual approach of ecological restoration and timber production secures long-term benefits for both the environment and the economy.
In addition, measuring the carbon sequestration, the project demonstrates how forest management can contribute to climate solutions while remaining financially sustainable. The proceeds from carbon credits will be reinvested into the project to fund ongoing restoration and conservation efforts. Victoria also highlights the importance of carbon finance: “Carbon finance is a crucial enabler of this large-scale project. It allows us to balance both timber production and forest restoration, ensuring a sustainable model even in the face of market volatility. This project is not only a flagship for hummingbirds, but also a beacon for future landscape restoration efforts.”
A partnership for a sustainable future
The Mount Kei Reforestation project has laid a solid foundation for long-term success with the project owner and initiator Equatoria Forestry Company (EFC). EFC holds the license agreements to manage this ambitious reforestation project, guiding its direction owing to a decade of experience in managing forest plantations in South Sudan. hummingbirds is providing the upfront investment enabling the certification of the carbon project and the start of operations on the ground. Their early involvement ensures the project reaches the needed maturity to attract large-scale investment. Form International plays a pivotal role by delivering the technical expertise required to prepare carbon project documentation and manage the validation process. In addition, Form International has been instrumental in setting up on-the-ground operations and conducting the first-year activities. To date, more than 150 hectares of commercial plantation have been established, while 100 hectares of degraded forest have seen restoration efforts, with planting of indigenous trees and Assisted Natural Regeneration, to revive the natural ecosystems.
As the project moves from planning to full-scale implementation, all partners—EFC, hummingbirds, and Form International—are optimistic about the long-term environmental and socio-economic benefits it will bring. By restoring degraded land, capturing carbon dioxide and engaging local communities, this partnership exemplifies a holistic approach to sustainable development. The restoration of Mount Kei Central Forest Reserve will serve as a design for similar global efforts, showcasing how multi-stakeholder collaborations and carbon finance can create scalable solutions that address climate change and foster community development.
Victoria Labourdette, Project Director at hummingbirds, concludes: “The Mount Kei Reforestation project represents what I believe to be the future of sustainable development. It’s not just about preserving ecosystems but about creating a world where people and nature can flourish together. This partnership is evidence of what can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared vision.”
As progress continues, further updates will be provided, highlighting the steps being taken to restore one of Uganda’s most vital forest reserves and its positive impact the environment and local communities.