How Planted with Purpose is Transforming Local Communities
Rebuilding Livelihoods in Bali and Citanduy
In the degraded watersheds of Bali and West Java, the Watershed Reforestation project places local farmers at the centre of its restoration model. Rather than imposing external solutions, the project works closely with farming communities, combining science-based methods with local knowledge to restore degraded lands through agroforestry systems that deliver both ecological and economic returns.
Local farmers receive comprehensive training in agroforestry techniques, sustainable land management, and tree care, building skills and confidence that extend well beyond the life of the project itself. The planting strategy reflects this dual focus, establishing timber species like sengon and mahogany alongside fruit-bearing trees including mango, durian, and coffee. These multi-purpose species improve soil health whilst providing long-term income streams for farming families. The result is a model where environmental recovery and community prosperity advance together, and where communities have both the skills and the economic motivation to sustain the work long after external support ends.
Empowering Women in Morocco's Atlas Mountains
In the High Atlas Mountains, the Food Forests project is rehabilitating degraded landscapes whilst challenging deeply entrenched gender inequalities. For centuries, indigenous Amazigh communities have depended on agriculture for their livelihoods, but the traditional food forests that once covered the landscape were cleared for grazing and crop production. Climate change has made these practices increasingly unviable, leaving many communities struggling to sustain themselves and younger generations moving away in search of opportunity.
The project is helping rehabilitate 4,000 hectares of land, planting species such as carob, olive, argan, walnut, and fig that generate sustainable income through fruit and timber production. What sets this initiative apart is our planting partner’s strong focus on women’s empowerment. Particular effort is made to engage women within the local communities at each stage of the project, from planning through to planting and ongoing maintenance.
The project transforms not just landscapes, but social structures, alleviating poverty and creating diverse livelihood options for communities who need them most.
Community-Led Restoration in Esteros de Acapan, Guatemala
Through the Samala and Ocosito Watershed Restoration project, community members in Esteros de Acapan are leading the regeneration of their own land. Agroforestry systems combine native forest species with fruit trees such as mango, avocado, and cashew, creating productive landscapes that deliver both ecological and economic benefits.
These systems strengthen food security, diversify household income, and reduce pressure to clear additional land. Live fences grown from tree cuttings protect new plantings while improving habitat connectivity across farms.
This progress carries deep significance. After Guatemala’s civil war, families were granted land that had already been cleared and exhausted. Poor soil and limited tree cover made farming difficult, leaving many households struggling to build stable futures on degraded plots.
Today, restoration is creating tangible change. Healthier soil supports more reliable crops. Income from agroforestry improves household stability. Young people have greater opportunity to remain in their community rather than leave in search of work.
Investing in People and Planet
These projects reveal a powerful truth: effective reforestation is inseparable from social impact. When communities are centred in restoration efforts, when farmers receive training and economic alternatives, when local workers find employment, when traditional knowledge is honoured, environmental recovery becomes more than ecological. It becomes transformative.
Supporting agroforestry systems across three continents, Planted with Purpose is backing projects that invest in people just as much as they invest in ecosystems. These projects show that when communities are placed at the heart of restoration, through training, employment, and genuine agency, the results are more durable, more equitable, and more impactful for everyone. Because when landscapes thrive, so do the people who call them home.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Planted with Purpose Program
What is Planted with Purpose?
Through Planted with purpose, Flight Centre customers help fund real reforestation projects around the world.
Together, we’ve funded over 3 million trees in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Morocco, Indonesia, Mexico and Guatemala. These projects restore native ecosystems and, in some regions, support rural communities with sustainable livelihoods.
Your tree will be planted in one of these amazing locations making a positive impact both for nature and the people who care for it.
Does this initiative offset my trip?
No. Planted with Purpose is not a carbon offset program and does not make your trip carbon neutral. Instead, it supports ecosystem restoration projects that rebuild Reforestation is about more than planting trees. When done well, it's a catalyst for social transformation—creating sustainable livelihoods, empowering marginalised communities, and rebuilding the deep connections between people and their landscapes.
It’s a positive step for nature, but it doesn’t cancel out the emissions from your journey.
Who is Reforest?
Reforest is a Brisbane-based social enterprise that helps organisations take meaningful, nature-positive action.
They work with businesses across Australia and internationally to support high-integrity reforestation and ecosystem restoration projects. Through partnerships with carefully vetted, on-the-ground planting teams, Reforest has helped enable tree planting initiatives across multiple countries, restoring habitats and supporting local communities.
Reforest’s approach is built on integrity, transparency, and long-term impact. To learn more click here.
How Tree Planting Works
Who plants the trees?
We work with trusted, local planting partners in each region.
These teams understand their landscapes deeply. They know which species belong there, how to restore degraded ecosystems, and how to care for trees long term. Many of our international projects also create employment and training opportunities within local communities.
Local knowledge is essential. Restoration only works when it is done by people who understand the land.
What kind of trees are being planted?
Restoration is not about planting as many trees as possible. It’s about planting the right trees, in the right place, at the right time.
In Australia, projects focus on biodiverse mixes of native species that reflect the original ecosystem. Internationally, projects may include native species and food forest trees that support both biodiversity and local livelihoods. This helps ensure long-term care and protection.
Healthy ecosystems are diverse, and our planting reflects that.
When will the trees be planted?
Planting depends on seasonal conditions. Trees need the right rainfall and climate to survive, so planting times vary by region. Depending on the project location, your tree could be planted within weeks, or it may be scheduled for the next suitable planting season, sometimes up to 12 months away.
Transparency & Tree Protection
How do I know the trees are actually planted and protected?
We partner with Reforest, a Brisbane-based social enterprise, who take this responsibility seriously. All projects go through a strict integrity and verification process. Our planting partners provide regular updates, including geo-tagged photos and progress reports. These show planting activity and early growth stages.
You can follow project updates and see photos by subscribing to the Reforest newsletter.
We focus on transparency because restoration should be something you can trust.
What happens if a fire or other event destroys the trees?
Reforestation always carries risk, especially in a changing climate.
Local partners actively manage risk through careful species selection, fire planning, over-planting where appropriate, and diversified project locations. We also spread planting across multiple regions to reduce exposure to any single event.
While no project can eliminate risk entirely, long-term ecosystem restoration is designed to withstand challenges and continue regenerating over time.
Visiting & Staying Connected
Will I be notified when my tree is planted?
Individual planting notifications are not currently provided (but coming soon!).
However, you can follow project progress and see updates via the Reforest project page and newsletter.
Can I visit the trees?
We totally understand the desire to visit your trees – we're tree lovers too! However, some of the projects are on private land or in sensitive locations, so we can’t always guarantee public access. But don’t worry, depending on where you are based, and where the projects are located, you may be able to take part in a community planting day (at your own cost).
To find out more about community planting days that you and your customers can attend, sign up to the Reforest newsletter.
