Program 01 · Land
Living Ridges
Native-species planting on degraded hillsides, tended by village crews for five full years — then the land and the work are theirs.
Fig. 06 — Planting day on the northern ridge, spring 2026
24
villages taking part
184k
trees planted since 2014
81%
survival at year two
5 yrs
before full hand-over
Five years, five steps
From bare slope to village-owned woodland.
Year 0
Survey & consent
The village decides whether to take part, and which slopes matter most.
Year 1
Plant
Crews plant native species chosen with local foresters — never monocultures.
Years 1–3
Tend
Watering, weeding and replacing losses, paid as part-time local work.
Year 4
Train
Crew leads train the next team and take over seed collection.
Year 5
Hand over
The village committee owns the woodland, the tools and the budget.
“We used to watch the hill wash away every winter. Now my grandchildren have names for the trees.”
Ayla Demir
Village committee, Hollow Lane