We planted a forest in the ashes - here’s what happened

Six years ago we planted a small forest on a Portuguese hillside that had burned down in a terrible wildfire. Now it’s time for a long overdue update! In this video we will explore how the area has changed and how our trees are doing after all these years.
🌲 If you think this project is worth supporting then be sure to check out the Mossy Earth Membership: mossy.earth
🙌 Subscribe to Mossy Earth: kzbin.info?...
MOSSY EARTH MEMBERSHIP
===============================
The rewilding membership that restores nature across a wide range of ecosystems.
🌲 Support a diversity of ecosystems
🐺 Rewild habitats to bring back biodiversity
🦫 Fund neglected species & ecosystems
Learn more and become a member here: mossy.earth
💪 OUR PARTNERS IN THIS VIDEO
===============================
Rewilding Portugal: rewilding-portugal.com/
⏱️TIMESTAMPS⏱️
0:00 Intro
1:27 CH1: Summer of Hell
6:58 CH2: Our project
9:44 CH3: Survival
🔎 ABOUT THIS PROJECT
===============================
This was the first project we undertook at Mossy Earth and it was a challenging one. Our ultimate goal was to create a long term native forest that will propagate from the top of the valley to other areas. We faced an uphill battle with the heat and the lack of soil which lead to high mortality rates. Nevertheless, many of the trees survived and we believe that in the long we will succeed in our aim of creating a pocket from which woodland will propagate further. We’ve visited the area several times over the years of course and have kept a keen eye on the progress. Potential future interventions might include cutting down the Portuguese broom to reduce the fuel availability and shade and also adding some more trees to boost the overall numbers.
Read more here: www.mossy.earth/projects/wild...

[@MossyEarth]

If you would like to become a member and support our rewilding projects you can do so here: mossy.earth/ it is what makes all our work possible!

[@ricardoxavier827]

Why you didnt used the Waterboxx? EU dont finance waterboxx projects?

[@bonefetcherbrimley7740]

When you say 40 degree heat, do you mean 40 Celsius? I ask, because I am american and 40 degrees is kinda cold over here, so I was confused. Good job planting trees by the way, I love to see it!

[@sumakwelvictoria5635]

Have an idea you might be able to use. This is for any place you want to reforest. Establish a multi-species tree orchard which you coppice every year. Create fine ground biochar from it. Innoculate or charge biochar for a few weeks and mix with some earth. Use jack hammer for those rocks and create a deep hole. Fill up with your biochar and earth mix. Plant the tree. Water the tree with some water. Biochar retains moisture for a long time. You won't need to water it all the time. Expensive and resource and effort intensive but it will make it easier for you to reforest hard rocky places.

[@b_uppy]

You need to plant for water. That means creating zai pits that help retain water for young trees. Wrong premise about the fire. The horses are overgrazing the area. Grass should never get below seven inches, as it dries out soil, which then dries out grass and other plants. Large, heavy hooves do create divots that hold water. Start planting for water by building bunds, check dams, swales, etc as well as planting trees. You also needed to use mattocks and pick axes.

[@_WindofChange]

this is how you save the planet. Great job guys, keep doing this and never give up

[@Anony472]

What i love about you guys is the positivity! Its never doom & gloom but rather "okay, an unfortunate thing has happened, heres how we are going to fix it" So different and fills everybody with optimism. Keep up the great work; you are all inspirational

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Anon! That is exactly how we are trying to approach things. In the coming months we are actually publishing some research on a compilation of failed restoration methods. That is how we all can progress! - Cheers, Duarte

[@solar0wind]

Yeah, I agee. Imo defeatism is the biggest threat to our survival. Some might say it's climate change, but as long as we stay hopeful we'll overcome its challenges eventually, even though a lot of people and animals will suffer in the mean time. But if we simply give up, we might all be doomed.

[@AnotherDuck]

Failure is a good way to learn. But you have to try to learn from it, and something you guys obviously strive for.

[@raclark2730]

@@solar0wind Right on, nothing ventured nothing gained.

[@person35790]

But it doesn’t need to be ‘fixed’. Fire is a natural part of the forest and always has been, and the forest will grow back over time as nature intended. It’s not defeatist to let nature be nature, it’s merely having patience.

[@zaubergarden6900]

aAnd then.. six years later... It's crazy how many long-term projects you've got going! Huge respect, I'm so glad I've decided to support you guys and I will continue to do so ❤

[@MossyEarth]

I think we will have a LOT of videos to make in 6 years time :D - Cheers, Duarte

[@MossyEarth]

And thank you for the support we really appreciate it! It is what makes it all possible:)

[@notsoberoveranalyzer8264]

This is such a great reminder of how a group of people, who are determined and genuinely willing to put in the work can make such a massive difference. I actually really appreciate that you guys don’t play the guilt/shame game that other organizations play.

[@MossyEarth]

This is about doing something positive not trying to deal with something negative. Glad tou appreciate our work and thank you for the kind words! - Cheers, Duarte

[@stevencere]

I’ve heard a quote. Give a group $10,000 and they can do more with that than a government can with $10mil

[@friendoftellus5741]

Hear, hear, hear !!!

[@user-ed7et3pb4o]

@@stevencere that’s a very American mindset. Some of us are lucky to have competent governments who aren’t enslaved to corporations

[@JM-cu6ex]

@@user-ed7et3pb4o no I feel this applies to everywhere, humans make things happen, not money. Not everything does cost money, it’s the effort you put in that makes a difference

[@ericconnor8419]

I have a company that specialises in establishing and maintaining forests and wildflower meadows. You have done a good job, but I think it would have been better if you planted trees in the bottom of the valley and in the cracks and sheltered areas, all the nutrients from the ash, moisture and organic material will be concentrated there and soil will be softer to dig. Seed will be taken up and distributed by birds anyway you don't have to rely on gravity to do it, plants climb. Strew cut meadow, shrub and grass seed (still in the pods) in late Summer (if it is dry) or Early Spring (if it freezes hard) on the high bald spots to get them started mixed with coir ideally just before rain. Use smaller plug trees grown in gravel/sand/poor soil that can be planted in a slot with a single push of a spade, digging individual holes is hard work! That is really only suitable for gardens. Find areas where soil has formed pockets where moisture will naturally catch and plant there. Trying to transplant trees from rich pots of compost on to the thinnest soil without regular watering in the most exposed area will lead to very high losses, only the toughest species will survive and they will grow slowly. That is why the junipers were lost. Look at where the natural establishment has taken place, and where plants are greenest, plant there.

[@JuanSanchez-ik7wx]

Agree...these guys are clueless.

[@robertgulfshores4463]

I appreciate your wisdom on this. Planting trees needs to be done efficiently, and with the greatest chance for survival. Obviously I am extremely proud of these young people, for their efforts, their kindness, their positivity, and it was the beginning for them, so I'm sure they learned a lot. But yes, we need seasoned experts to ride along with us when we attempt rewilding, replanting, reintroducing.

[@samoyedhugger]

@@JuanSanchez-ik7wxat least they did something, everyone starts somewhere.

[@Debbie-henri]

I discovered this for myself. I bought a 2 acre property, it's most outstanding features being a fairly steep slope and bare rock showing through a third of it. Excited, I just wanted to plant up the whole thing. Those trees that survived best were the ones at the bottom of the slope, because the soil was a little deeper, nutrients and water flow downhill. It's always been a struggle to get anything do more than 'survive' at the top of the slope. I lost loads of plants, of those that did survive, their growth rate is nail-bitingly slow. Some are still not even waist height (and I am less than a stage height). Every year, I tell myself 'this' is the year when the hedgerow at the top of the hill takes off. I've been saying that for 20 years. Meanwhile, I'm actually pruning, coppicing and pollarding trees at the bottom of the slope. Finally, through trial and error, I have learned to 'build' swathes on top of the rocky soil and work my way upwards from the base of the hill. I still care for those early plantings that struggle higher up, but I made a lot of needless extra hard work for myself by planting with 'unguided enthusiasm' rather than contemplating the geology of what I had more carefully.

[@RheaMainz]

@@Debbie-henri Have you tried terracing the hill, or else shoving discarded wood or other moisture traps into the hill?

[@LordJemse]

I love this channel

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Jemse! That is great to hear! - Cheers, Duarte

[@Stop4ThemSneks]

Me too!😅

[@luisantos1996]

Saying that we love is an euphemism.

[@LordJemse]

@@MossyEarth Ey it's the boy Duarte!

[@ginalou5774]

Me too. I think it is awe inspiring that these young men saw this catastrophe and thought “I can do something about this “ and then did it. ❤

[@tiagodezoeten2557]

Although I only helped for a few days I still remember that feeling of hitting those rocks. It's so nice to see that some of the trees are doing well! Such a beautiful and nostalgic video, well done everyone :)

[@friendoftellus5741]

The trees appeared to be healthy !

[@franzjageragareavjagerkass3441]

good job king!

[@Acr6gAttt-mq2hr]

I'm always reluctant to donate to nonprofits because they use vague wording, the CEOs are rich, and they don't make it clear where your money actually goes (if you dig deeper, it often doesn't go to the project at all). But I'm so happy to give to you guys because you're so transparent about your work and obviously saving our planet! We really can't thank you enough for stepping up to the plate when most of our leaders around the world seem dead set on destroying our environment

[@noneofyourbuisness1679]

No pressure, of course, but I hope we get another long-term update another six years from now, see if anything's really started to grow!

[@MossyEarth]

You will! - Cheers, Duarte

[@StephFish1004]

1000 trees surviving is still a huge feat considering what the land looked like when you were planting them, very impressive and more than what I though would be there. You'd probably have a higher percentage now that the area has recovered more if you wanted to restart this project for a part 2 in some of the areas you showed where trees are still struggling to come back

[@Half_Finis]

the most important part is getting the ecosystem going right? just making sure there are trees growing there after the fire

[@pansepot1490]

The lesson learned here is that rushing to plant trees in the ashes is a waste of time, money and effort, unless you can water them. A lot of enthusiasm but little knowledge of how nature recovers after wildfires. But that’s understandable when you start. Looks like they are more thoughtful in their current projects.

[@steffenbendel6031]

@@pansepot1490 Even in a normal garden, if you do not water newly planted trees and bushes in the first year, they rarely survive the first hot summer.

[@knoll9812]

​@@pansepot1490harsh environment.probably took hundreds of years for original forest to grow

[@johnnamkeh1290]

@@Half_Finis Yeah it seems extremely challenging as they said at the start, all the soil was washed away by the rains after the fire. So there is very little ability for the land to hold water for the trees. It would take a decade or more of avoiding fires and re-building the soil for it to become self-sustaining again.

[@marcelo_afonso]

Thank you guys ❤ I was one of the firefighters in both June and October wildfires. Thank you for making our forest grow again.

[@nellychingo2010]

10% is actually phenomenal considering the location, heat, dryness. The natural survival rate for most plants, seedlings and seeds are 50% in the first one to two year and then it drops significantly due to competition from weeds, shrubs, grass, insects, disease, etc. This is a phenomenal feat your team has done considering it is your first project. So proud.

[@dhfconst]

As a Portuguese this made me cry. Truly appreciate you initiative and work! Thank you. Obrigado.

[@jollyjokress3852]

These projects keep me sane.

[@MossyEarth]

Glad it has that effect! It is the same for me :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@sandymckay9871]

As an 80 year old tree hugger, I am so proud of all you young folks. It gives me hope for our planet. I will become a member😊

[@dramallamarama5300]

3:00 I remember that day in the UK, it was so dark like the world had a tinted filter over it. The sun was blood red like I’d never seen before. As well, for some reason that I can’t explain, it was also quiet, as if the world was turned down to a whisper under that red sun in the yellow sky. I’ll never forget it, that eerily beautiful and quiet day.

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you for sharing. Sounds like an eerie experience. - Cheers, Duarte

[@SplatterInker]

Same. It made me emotional hearing about how many had died that season, as I too was looking up at that sun. Because all I remember at the time was the BBC reporting it was "desert sand from the Sahara" but wildfire debris sounds far more bloody likely considering it's not very often something so eerie and strange occurs.

[@nabajyotirajbongshi1537]

Literally tears in my eyes..... I wish one day I have enough money to donate you.. love from India....you are great souls

[@TheEagle006]

How can you not love your work guys, great job!❤

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Marius! That means a lot to us here at the team! - Cheers, Duarte

[@andresenriquecuervourrea8942]

I'd recommend you put a link to a playlist or older videos. That way we can see how you started and it'd be easier for us to watch the whole project. Great job as usual! 💗

[@MossyEarth]

This project was years before our channel was even a thing :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@diogovieira845]

I started following mossy earth just a few months ago, and I had no idea your first project was reforesting the burnt areas of Pedrógão. I was in a village in Figueiró do Vinhos (pretty close to Pedrógão) at the time and I even had to help put out the fires that were getting close to the houses. I'm studying biology and I hope one day I might work on projects like the ones you guys do.

[@crackspack]

Hi Duarte - you and the Mossy Earth team are a Keystone Species of your own. Thanks for everything you do for nature!

[@MossyEarth]

Haha thanks Josh! Never thought of being called a keystone species but we will take as the ultimate compliment! Shared it with the team :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@ziggybender9125]

Pro tip for digging in rocky ground: our nature tells us to use the tools like we would in normal dirt but that just leads to sore bodies. Use way less force per swing because you know the maximum drive into the ground you can get from the tool is small, what you are trying to do is locate the edges of rocks so that you can strategically pry them out wit minimal force. Once you start figuring out your attacking the rocks not the dirt it gets a lot easier.

[@sarahwatts7152]

Thanks for this! Will definitely be using during spring gardening

[@raclark2730]

As a veteran planter in the ancient and often rocky soils of Australia I concur.

[@knoll9812]

I think it would allowable to use a digger to dig a sizeable holesnd plant the tree in the bottom

[@ziggybender9125]

@@knoll9812 Not always an option and my tip is for when it's not an option and you have to use hand tools.

[@mikehillas]

As I was watching them wack the earth with their hoes, I wondered why they weren't using a narrow garden trowel instead. Considering how small the trees were, a garden trowel would quickly give you a big enough hole to put the tree in with a lot less energy used than a hoe. You can feel your way around the rocks with a trowel as you're digging.

[@Emptybasilisk]

Being able to see the first result of your project is the most rewarding, as a long time viewer. Thank you for your hard work !

[@MossyEarth]

I thought long time members and long time viewers would enjoy this story :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@isaacchristensen659]

Even though so many trees were lost, Mossy Earth has gained so much knowledge and wisdom and are fine tuning their work so they have better results in the future. Keep up the hard work!!

[@mynameisjoejeans]

It’s really good that you’re open and honest about tree survival rate. In the U.K. there were recent studies finding similar survival rates to this in tree planting schemes on motorway verges, so it’s actually really impressive that you managed 10% in such a harsh environment. This is often under-reported so it’s good to see you clarifying.

[@one_field]

I love your transparency and willingness to share what you've learned. I've promoted your videos among my friends and family and will keep on sharing your website because your approach is by far the best, out of all the environmental nonprofits I've ever seen. Keep up the phenomenal work! ❤

[@MossyEarth]

Thank Onefield! That really made my day to hear this. We really appreciate your support! - Cheers, Duarte

[@MrCrazyChihuahua]

That are looks like my home island-country, Cyprus. Planting trees especially is extremely difficult in such areas, and researching local trees before planting is an extra must for the trees to survive. Though still, such an amazing job you did there! Well done! Keep us updated!

[@MossyEarth]

Exactly! It was a difficult first project but a worthy one nonetheless. We are considering additional work here and will keep you posted :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@macnet83]

Hello. I'm watching this from Agia Napa :)

[@abbyfox2980]

What an inspiration! Here in Greece we have frequent fires and it seems surprising to me that replanting is with pine and not with juniper and hemp to stabilise the soil which just washes away with autumn rains.

[@BetterWorldEcosystems]

Prepi na kanoume kati etsi edo

[@keeksputels1851]

More transparent than 99.9% of politicians and governments with your spending. Very much appreciated xxx

[@earkittycat5421]

Ya'll always doing insane stuff. Keep up the good work!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you ! - Cheers, Duarte

[@bloomingorchid9407]

When you plant a tree, it becomes like your baby, if your baby is doing good, you feel very happy and proud.. As I plant trees regularly, I can feel this joy. ❤

[@SachinSingh48.]

Even if 1% of the tree's survive it's 1% more that it originally had i seriously have no words for your efforts like i can't explain but get emotional seeing you guys doing so much for us just for so little of a price ❤

[@sandal_thong8631]

Sounds to me like they didn't know what they were doing.

[@nunomacaira7468]

​@@sandal_thong8631it's not that simple. I'm from a neighbour region of Portugal and the reforestation of those kind of steep landscapes after a fire in an extremely dry and hot region (and hotter every year) it's very difficult, not just because of the climate, but because of the soil quality and the steep terrain itself wich can lead to less water retention, doesn't matter if it is intended to reconstruct natural forests or agricultural land. For 1000 of those artifically planted native trees to even have survived in those conditions without weekly care as you would see in a farm or more urbanised area, it's actually remarkable and a very positive change in the environment. And they had the care to plant native species more resistent to bushfires, as well as to implement some form of irrigation system to sustain the trees in drier periods. But, of course, it wouldn't be possible to sustain them all. They were actually really attentive and meticulous

[@RevazTateishvili]

Amazing work! Thanks for making transparent updates and admiting to the success rate that is not always 100%. This brings you credibility even more!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you! It is nice of you to say this and you are right, we are here to make an impact not look glamorous and infallible. - Cheers, Duarte

[@DunkeysLongLostSon]

You make me proud of being portuguese! Keep up the great work, much love ❤️🇵🇹

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you! - Cheers, Duarte

[@WotDennis]

I watch and share every single one of your videos. You guys' genuine enthusiasm and passion for what you do, combined with your transparancy makes me excited for every project you guys start. Whenever I get the funds to help support this cause I most certainly will but until then I want to thank you for doing what you do. You guys are trying to make the world a better place, thank you for that.

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Dennis! We appreciate comments like this so much! Shared with the team :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@TheKobiDror]

10% might not sound impressive but it's the kickstart for nature. She will do the rest from here. Great job!!!

[@cieslik7564]

Thanks

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you for the superchat Cieslik! - Cheers, Duarte

[@MarkhamShawPyle]

When, as often, I despair of humanity, I remember y’all, and am comforted. Keep up the good work, and God speed it.

[@gm2407]

The good bit is that there is a root system and ground cover. That is important for the future growth of those trees.

[@Nitka022]

Amazing transformation! And it only took 6 years! A blink in time. From moonscape to this beautiful greenery where trees are growing ..and there will be more of them..:-))))

[@TheSteve_42]

You guys give me hope 🌱

[@MossyEarth]

I’m glad we do! Hope is important :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@DC9848]

Lovely video! You could have separate donation channels with each reforestation project for irrigation, deer fencing and planting with mininum amounts to make the project happen

[@MossyEarth]

We are working on having this within our membership account :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@stevenmayhew3944]

I understand that contour swales, demilunes, and other water catchment systems can help more of these trees survive, as the little bit of rain gets caught in the pits and soak down into the dry, harsh, non-fertile soil and re-irrigates it so that the water doesn't run off. Then you will have more success.

[@friendoftellus5741]

I also believe that may be helpful.

[@laureluciani1806]

@@friendoftellus5741 This is indeed essential! Otherwise erosion just continue draining the soil and doesn't retain any water for trees and all life to thrive! and it then all goes off to the river, which is then "lost" in a way. Key line, swales and water catchment areas around each trees are fundamental. Thanks for your big work anyways!

[@slowliving2041]

You need permaculture principle as well, make dyke/ burm near the planted trees so that rain water can accumulate

[@nathanielscreativecollecti6392]

What I love most about Mossy Earth is that they're not some stupid environmentalist organization throwing soup on paintings. Instead of that, they are making actual quantifiable goals and working to achieve them and then demonstrating real world results. Way to be different guys.

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Nathaniel! I am also happy about how we are approaching things :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@JensOdense]

Videos like this are exactly why I follow and support you. It has got it all, beautiful nature, updates on past projects and some interesting backstory on your organization. It was a pleasure to watch especially how happy you were see your trees again. Good work guys 😄

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Jens! This video was a lot of work so I am glad to hear this. Comments like this make my day! Have a great resto of your evening :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@BlueBirb-.-]

This is what we should to to our planet!!, Instead of destroying it...😭✨💓I love this kind of people that help the Earth Recover🥺🥺🥺

[@Atombindung]

What I love about you guys is your hands on mentality. Our politicians just talk and mess with our lives by increasing the prices of CO2 emissions and waste money all time. But you guys do a really important job on saving the nature. I hope one day you will get some big Investors and you can do some big projects.

[@josep7gs925]

Good job guys you are doing so much for the earth thank you 🙏

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Jose! We appreciate the support :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@starflyer3219]

Succession would have grasses, herbs and small shrubs colonize the slopes first, creating a cover that would retain the moisture and then eventually make it suitable for trees.

[@joaquimbarbosa896]

They did plant some types of grass I think

[@rexolineisabel1290]

Young people are always thinking about the future and it is commendable that they are replanting the 🌳 🌲 🌴.

[@Mokkaiko]

Just wanna say thatnk you to be part of saving our home

[@dominusetdeus060644]

Your channel is genuinely one of the best on KZbin. I wish millions of people followed you and contributed.

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Vlad! That means a lot to the team here :) We are working on it! Hopefully KZbin keeps on giving results. - Cheers, Duarte

[@gladeseason3462]

you guys are awesome. the work you do everywhere is so great, makes me happy that your work is made visible through your KZbin channel. much love from Scotland :D

[@MossyEarth]

The channel really helps explain the projects so I am glad you enjoy them :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@istoppedlaughing5225]

Transparency is the most important thing to have the constant flow of funding

[@muksvlog817]

Plant more trees.🌲🎄🌴🌵🌳Save the planet.🌏

[@mividaloca7747]

the world needs more of these projects and more good people like this worldwide, cleaning and replanting should be done by all whole call this planet home

[@gufranansari9286]

Do local governments not help you for your projects? If they don't it's a shame for them.

[@mr.lonewolf8199]

Best environmental and rewilding channel on KZbin

[@oryxnauwelaers7887]

1000 trees surviving is a very good number! and the dead ones arent planted for nothing. if they lived for a short amount of time and were capable of establishing a small root system, then you helped stop soil erosion. Awesome work guys!

[@emmahardesty4330]

Wonderful, hurray. All those trees will spread. Great big thank you.

[@sunlight3542]

Looking forward to seeing these trees in another 6 years, as well as all the other projects! The more time passes, the better results we get from this channel. Keep up the good work :)

[@brammutje15]

i really appreciate the 1440p and 4k qualities. makes it feel very immersive

[@han984]

I've been contributing monthly from Canada for about a year now, no regrets! Keep up the wonderful updates and your great work.

[@TheBobador]

Amazing once again! Nostalgia hitting hard on this one 🥲

[@Chickpealover69]

I love this project. We've got a burned forest area project at the university as well, but we're taking the unique opportunity to monitor the early states of succession. So we're leaving the area as found. Two quite different methods to rewild areas and I love to see both of them.

[@pauldurkee4764]

It was such a surprise watching this that you planted english oak in that area, I had no idea that it was native to Portugal. What a great job you did to get trees re-established. With best wishes from Wales.👍

[@_aidid]

My hope in the humanity restores when I watch such videos 🌿🏔

[@Punky260]

While 10% doesnt sound as much, without the amazing work you put in, there wouldnt be any trees at all. I am pretty sure your idea of creating a "pocket" from where trees and nature can spread again worked - althought it might take more time until it really bears fruit As a relatively new member, its nice to see the origins and the impact you already had with the first project. Never stop being this amazing please!

[@MossyEarth]

Hi Punky! First off, thank you for supporting our work! It is what makes it all possible. You are right about the pocket. The most important thing is to bring some woodland to this area to give it a chance. However, now that we are bigger and have more funds I would love to go back and reinforce things further. Anyway, much to do in terms of projects and it is all very exciting and all thanks to you! - Cheers, Duarte

[@PNWGardener]

Congrats on a successful planting!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you! Hopefully this pocket of trees will spread over the area in the coming decades :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@lindewe50]

My brother does reforestation in the amazonian forest of Peru; I am so proud all of you helping the planet!

[@honodle7219]

We need about one billion more people like you.

[@therealglobalgarbage]

So amazing! Wow! I love hearing about the beginnings. I'm curious, did you have any idea that your organization would be covering this many projects only a few years later? So incredible and inspiring!

[@MossyEarth]

I don’t think either me or Matt thought it was possible for things to go this way. However, bit by bit we got to where we are and when we look back it feels like it has been a long road to get here. Excited about the future and what we can do in another 6 years! - Cheers, Duarte

[@cineblazer]

This channel consistently restores my faith in humanity. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face with every video.

[@MossyEarth]

Hi Kai! Hopefully there will be so many other people doing this that it will simply become the norm :) glad we could make you smile today! - Cheers, Duarte

[@Linda-it6ci]

10% is a good survival rate, Darlings, thank you for helping mother Gia get back on her feet.. Blessings darlings......

[@osmia]

I'm so glad to see a re-visit of an earlier project. Thank you

[@MossyEarth]

We have a lot of interesting updates coming up on project we’ve had for a while! Keep an eye out :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@edward7366]

nice to see you going back to the start and reflecting on your growth .

[@IngerMaaike2]

Thank you for all your beautiful work, it fills me with joy to see you spreading nature around where there was none.

[@miguel8698]

Seeing the 2017 pedrogão grande fire almost made me cry, remembering thoes days is so sad

[@arieswildchild]

You guys is what this world needs!

[@brianjonker510]

I would like to see a comparison between the area that got planted and an area left to regrow on its own.

[@mw2984]

thought the same. Did they had reforest all of the mountain or only a small part? The rest of the area looks fairly "healthy" for the short amount of time and looks nearly as green (maybe 80%) like what they did... if so kinda waste of time, work and money not to be a bad person just realistic.

[@yanivcassuto4198]

Amazing video as always. It's incredible to see the change. I have 2 questions: 1) do you look at similar countries/areas when planning a project? Regarding reforesting in Portugal, you might find KKL Israel to be very informative. We have similar climate and weather here. We also deal a lot with wildfire. 2) since you guys deal more and more with bodies of water, maybe consider adding a landscape architect/ designer to your team? Dealing with topography, water flow etc...

[@fiveminutefridays]

this is why i love your business model - if I payed for tree planting and then a few years later i found out by someone else that 90% of the trees were dead, I wouldn't trust the company i payed. Because you follow up, this shows up as exactly what it was - a young company of people who did their best with limited resources, and took the lessons to heart after seeing what worked and what didn't. The transparency of mixed results instills a lot of trust.

[@SimplyZoraida]

You guys were amazing... Thank u for planting trees ... 🥳💝👏👏👏

[@meikap1876]

The amount of work that has been put into this not only by your team but every single person to interact is 💘amazing.

[@ksbrook1430]

Thank you for sharing this story. As always, you do such a fine job putting the video together. Now that you have a percentage of trees that have survived, are plans being made to bring in/support wildlife that will help maintain the area? Specifically, I am thinking of what could be done to mitigate damage by a future wildfire.

[@MossyEarth]

Exactly! We are looking at some options such as reducing the fuel load by cutting down some of the Portuguese broom and also doing additional replanting in the area. - Cheers, Duarte

[@alanbrooke144]

Very impressive, nice to see the Mossy Earth origin story.

[@MossyEarth]

Glad you enjoyed it Alan! - Cheers, Duarte

[@JIM1DESU]

I would like to say Thank you you for save the earth :)

[@elmuziko]

Videos like this make me proud to be a member. Keep up the excellent work.

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you for supporting our work Graham it is what makes it all possible! - Cheers, Duarte

[@averyjohnson8605]

You guys are doing fantastic . When I have the budget I plan on becoming a member. Till then I’ll watch all your videos on KZbin and like every single one to help y’all with the algorithm and the maybe get a bit of ad revenue your way.

[@MossyEarth]

Hi Avery! We really appreciate the support :) - Cheers, Duarte

[@amo_0_0]

I personally would love to work on such a project. I think it takes a huge amount of courage and dedication for anyone to confront and tackle such a devastated landscape and give it new hope.

[@Solstice261]

Beautiful project, as always, this projects are very important because it avoids the runoff of ash and erosion of earth that happen right after a fire and the final result shows how good your job was, I really appreciate the job you guys do specially in the era we live in.

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you for the kind words JMS! Glad you enjoyed the video and like our projects. - Cheers, Duarte

[@lobster5782]

I wonder if you could design a protocol of rapid postfire intervention with the right covercrop seeds to quickly root with the first rains

[@Solstice261]

@@lobster5782 usually one just lays hay over it, however timber companies usually want to move in quickly and search for any timber they might be able to lose wich destroys the ground that is left, throwing hay and other stuff over it usually works and helps retain humidity to avoid it sparking again, it's not done very often. Planting useful cover crops and building the forest from the ground up would also be good but that gives time for overgrazing to start as farmers usually want to use the burnt forest and turn it into a field to feed their livestock so they also move quickly in to make sure reforestation is hard. This many interests means that reforestation is usually done quickly and badly to the detriment of the forest. So that is why we always start with trees and hope cover plants settle naturally, which they usually do as some of them grow pretty well on ashy terrain

[@lobster5782]

@@Solstice261 I see. I always remember reading the old ways of planting maritime pine in Leiria coastal line: oat was seeded on the sands and the pine was planted the year after, as the oat provided a cover for the seedlings.

[@Solstice261]

@@lobster5782 yes, that is the ideal ( better if you use wildflowers and low bushes than crops) but in today's day and age with so much conflict between land uses, that isn't done anymore

[@ThingyArt]

I've recently found this channel and I'm so glad to see Portuguese people doing things! You go GURL! And It's neat to know that this is how it all started.. That was a terrible year for forest fires, I'm glad something good came out of it

[@annashealthylifeeverything8583]

In Greece they put goats to graze because of the eu subsidies. and now it's a lot of erosion and dry dusty soil because of over grazing. When grazing is concentrated it will do a lot of damage too. trees and plants prevent erosion and helping soil to keep moisture, also creating local rain/clouds by evaporation

[@prcervi]

with how hard the location got hit and how dry it generally is the fact you had a success rate in double digits is still a massive achievement

[@Oli_Thompson]

This is fantastic to see!! Well done to you for taking on such an awesome project and making a great impact in those early days. If I had the chance to work for any organisation in the world, it would be Mossy Earth, hands down. Such valuable work!

[@MossyEarth]

Thank you Oli! We really appreciate the kind words :) it means a lot to me and the team! - Cheers, Duarte

[@kassiapencek6185]

Wow these trees are looking very strong!!!! I cant wait to see them in another 6 years!!! Important wisdom you guys have shared about the horses and natural irrigation system to be promoters of eco friendly longevity. You are heroes in my book!!!! Young people could be building their self esteem to do some eco labor in these style projects! Congratulations to you all and to us around the world!

[@gnarmarmilla]

Aye. Your comment reminds me that there are good people in the world because you see how crucial and blessed Mossy Earth’s work is. Lots of good folks like you in this comment section, It’s a breath of fresh air.

[@zefmc2030]

Discovering this channel is one of the best things that happened to me this 2024❤.

[@iwanabana]

This is where permaculture concepts like contour swales and berms andlekaky rock dams etc. Will prove crucial for water retention for your trees. All best.

[@Kram1032]

So glad to see a follow up of the very first project. Six years of tree growth, pretty nice! Even if only a small portion actually survived. And these days you have a much better budget and much more understanding and I'm looking forward to seeing your current projects in 2029