IEP concluded successfully the reforestation campaign during the months of October-November 2022 by planting over 600 seeds of horse chestnut trees (Aesculus hippocastanum) a native tree of Albania and a symbol of IEP.
This was the second campaign that IEP organized with the aim of expanding the population of horse chestnut trees in Albania, which is Critically Endangered in Albania.
During October-November 2021 IEP planted over 400 seeds of horse chestnut trees.
Seeds were collected and planted by IEP staff and volunteers. The areas reforested with horse chestnuts are the hilly areas of Baldushk and Farkë, Tirana, by selecting the optimal sites for the seeds to germinate and survive the hot summers.
During the monitoring of the germinated seeds in spring-summer 2022, IEP staff noticed a germination and survival or more than 80% of the seeds that were planted last year.
Besides horse chestnuts, IEP also planted a smaller number of native oak acorns like Quercus cerris, Quercus Frainetto, and Quercus petraea. This activity is a direct action against climate crisis/global heating. When the trees that IEP planted will be 6-7 years old, they sequester 10-20 ton of CO₂ annually.
This activity was supported by the Minor Foundation for Major Challenges through the project Climate action for Albania – Albanian Green Deal.