MACS - Tree nursery

The Word of Hope Foundation (Blantyre) conducted a survey on the current status of the environment in its geographical area and identified that the area is suffering from a high degree of deforestation. Local communities showed interest in taking action to combat the situation, but the Foundation identified a knowledge gap in areas on how to establish tree nurseries and maintain them. Through the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) they applied to MACS to run a 3 day workshop.
	Day 1: Group Discussion on ranking local environmental problems.
The first day involved group discussions on their local environmental problems, suggesting solutions to these problems and introducing the basics of tree nurseries and the importance of establishing them. Discussions on how local communities can handle and respond to such initiatives.

	Day 2: Group Discussion on how to choose a good site for their nursery.
Day 2. How to obtain seed and other equipment. Choosing a good site for the nursery. Filling pots, weeding and watering and keeping records. Checking for disease.
	Day 3: Mr A. Bonongwe (WESM) demonstrating how to weed, keeping a seedling health and plant.
Day 3. Practical sessions on creating a tree nursery, preparing the land and creating compost. Sowing different types of seeds and planting out the tree seedlings. The theoretical session established what the participants had learnt, how to plan for a nursery, including keeping nursery records
Evaluation of the workshop showed that the community welcomed the project and felt the training was good. (WESM) will help the communities in obtaining seed and equipment.

Workshop on Establishment of a Tree Nursery. (Word of Hope Foundation)