16 January 2014 was an incredible day for community partners and local schools. HAF staff attended planting events throughout 8 provinces, traveling from school to school, community to community, overseeing tree deliveries and environmental lessons presented by local teachers and farmers.<\/p>\n
Nearly 10,000 trees were planted in the course of 1 day, setting the stage for the rest of the planting season during which HAF will plant 400,000 trees with community partners.<\/p>\n
Al Haouz<\/strong>: Director of Programs in Al Haouz Province, Malika, visited 4 rural schools with Rachid El Kouhen, father of Sami, the inspiration for\u00a0Sami\u2019s Project<\/a>. In Al Haouz nearly 2,000 trees were planted with school children, including over 1,000 walnut, 383 olive, 214 orange, 87 carbotrees, and 20 fig, 20 pomegranate, 20 eucalyptus, 20 aromatic plants, and 20 almond. \u00a0 HAF President Yossef Ben-Meir participated in the tree distribution in\u00a0Akraich village<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 from the community nursery that embodies\u00a0Morocco\u2019s unity and diversity<\/a>.<\/p>\n Azilal<\/strong>: In Azilal Province, Director of Programs Abderrahim traveled with HAF Chair of the Board Thom Anderson to three schools.\u00a0Peace Corps Volunteers<\/a>\u00a0also attended these events, providing support for the teachers and principals during the planting. One student reflected \u201cwe can benefit from the idea of nurturing the trees in our school yard and learning about the importance of tree planting for our future\u201d. In Azilal, 60 carbotrees, 30 pomegranate, and 30 lemon trees were planted.<\/p>\n Boujdour<\/a><\/strong>: HAF Site Manager Hana oversaw the planting of 798 trees in\u00a0Boujdour Province<\/a>\u00a0at 5 sites. Community members and school children planted different varieties, including Lagunaria, Acacia Cyanophylla, and Schinus Molle \u2013 species that are well adapted to handle the dry environment in Boujdour.<\/p>\n Essaouira<\/strong>: Director of Programs Lynn and Program Assistant Joke oversaw planting at\u00a0two schools in Essaouira<\/a>, attended by the Governor of Essaouira Province, Mr. Abdelouahab El Jabri. 41 olive and carob trees were planted with about 150 school children. See more about the planting at Essaouira\u00a0here<\/a>, and check out this\u00a0video clip<\/a>.<\/p>\n