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Bought a goat for Christmas? Sponsored a well? Then why not adopt an African tree? Tree-Nation is inviting people to become a sponsor of their project, which aims plant eight million trees in sub-Saharan Niger, the world's poorest nation.
The Barcelona-based website also provides social networking for its tree 'parents' and, once you've made your donation (between £6.80 to £51.40 per tree), you can track and map its growth via GPS and Google Maps. Working with ecologists in Niger, Tree-Nation plans to nourish the sprouts of the baobabs, acacias and other species in a nursery before transplanting them outside.
Although desertification threatens most of the land in Niger, the trees grow in places that receive enough rainfall to support them. Their roots should eventually reach into underground water stores, bringing otherwise untapped water to the surface and improving the soil. Tree-Nation says it has planted 5,000 trees so far, with 74 members responsible for 10 more trees in the past day. Organisers of last week's Web 2.0 Summit planted a tree for each attendee via Tree-Nation.
If you fancy something a bit closer to home, you could sponsor a London tree instead. Then you can see it grow for yourself (and even hug it, if you really like).
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Discover the brilliant experienced people who are helping SmartPlanet through the green and ethical minefield.
