At hummingbirds, we believe that restoring ecosystems goes beyond planting trees, it’s about reviving biodiversity and supporting improved livelihoods for local communities. That is why we are proud to share our latest endeavor in Northern Uganda, a partnership to restore the degraded lands of the Mount Kei Central Forest Reserve.
Over the past two years, we have been working alongside Equatoria Forestry Company (EFC) and Form International, to lay the groundwork for this ambitious project, which aims not only at capturing carbon dioxide, but also providing high-quality timber and creating meaningful socio-economic benefits for local communities.
Spanning across a total of 42,000 hectares, the project is designed to create a sustainable, resilient landscape that supports both nature and people, creating a lasting positive impact.
The Mount Kei Central Forest Reserve has faced significant environmental degradation in recent years with only 2% of remaining intact forest.
To combat this, we aim to:
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 center of the forest with commercial plantations surrounding it, creating a protective belt.
One of the most inspiring aspects of this project is its role in carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from the atmosphere. Over the next 40 years, our reforestation and forest management efforts are expected to capture up to 5 million tons of CO2. The carbon credits generated by this project— to be verified by VERRA’s standards Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) and Community, Climate and Biodiversity (CCB) —allow us to create a project that is impactful while financially sustainable. The carbon credits are a key enabler of the restoration and protection of Mount Kei.
As we regrow forests, we are also committed to creating opportunities for local people. The Mount Kei project will generate between 400 and 600 jobs, including roles in nursery and plantation management, wood processing, and seasonal work during peak periods. We provide steady employment for local people and strengthen the region’s economic resilience.
But that is not all. The project integrates sustainable agricultural practices such as intercropping. By growing food crops between tree lines, farmers can produce essential food supplies while contributing to supporting reforestation efforts. Drawing on Form International’s successful intercropping models in Ghana, this approach boosts yields and rehabilitates degraded areas, offering immediate benefits to farmers.
To further mitigate forest clearing for agriculture, the project also includes programs to enhance farming practices in surrounding areas, aiming at long-term food security and sustainable land use.
The Mount Kei Reforestation Project reflects the impact of collaborative efforts. With EFC providing expertise in forest management, Form International delivering technical support, and hummingbirds ensuring early-stage investment and proven expertise developing Nature-based Solutions projects worldwide, the initiative is built on a robust business case for sustainable development. High-value teak timber production provides a long-term revenue stream, complementing carbon credit proceeds that are reinvested into restoration and conservation efforts.
As we take these first steps at Mount Kei, we are looking beyond restoring a single forest reserve; we are building a model that can inspire landscape restoration worldwide. Through a carefully balanced approach of productive and indigenous forest, community development and biodiversity protection, this project shows how environmental stewardship, and economic viability can work hand in hand.
With up to 150 hectares of commercial plantations established and 50 hectares of degraded forest restored, the Mount Kei project is just beginning. As operations scale, we hope the project 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.
“What we’re doing at Mount Kei is 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 drive real change and have tangible effects on local community development.”
Stay tuned as we continue to share updates on this journey to restore one of Uganda’s most vital forest reserves!
