Plant 50,000 Trees In Northern Rwanda

Plant 50,000 Trees In Northern Rwanda

LAND ONE – SITE REPORT, SOIL ANALYSIS & FUNDING APPEAL

Location: Butangampundu Village, Butangamundu Cell, Burega Sector, Rulindo District, Rwanda
Plus Code: 723X+P5V Mugambazi, Rwanda

Dear Patron,

The first planting area for our project is located in Butangamundu Cell, Burega Sector, Rulindo District, Rwanda. This site extends across the hills of Butangampundu Village, a landscape characterized by steep slopes, visible soil erosion, scattered grasses, and areas of exposed rock. These features reflect the wider challenges facing Northern Rwanda’s upland ecosystems, where sloping terrain reduces soil depth and natural fertility over time.

The soil in this area is predominantly reddish-brown sandy-loam, which becomes soft and workable during the rainy season but very hard and compact during the dry season. This seasonal behavior makes timely land preparation essential. When the soil is moist, terracing, clearing, and digging planting pits can be completed efficiently. However, delaying these activities until the soil hardens increases labor time, cost, and difficulty.

Because the rainy season continues until the end of January, our plan is to prepare the land between December 2025 and February 2026. This ensures we complete all soil stabilization work while conditions are favorable. Tree planting is scheduled for the end of March 2026, aligning with the long rainy season for maximum seedling survival.

1. General Description of the Site

Land One lies on a steep hillside with clear signs of degradation. The slope increases the risk of runoff and soil loss, requiring immediate conservation measures. The site’s natural topography makes it suitable for reforestation, provided terracing and moisture-retention techniques are implemented.

2. Soil Appearance and TextureColor

• Reddish-brown, indicating high iron content, good drainage, and low organic matter.

Texture

• Loose, crumbly, slightly sandy.

• Presence of small stones and gravel.

This suggests a sandy-loam to loamy-sand texture with low water-holding capacity and low natural fertility.

Structure

• Weak soil structure

• Easily eroded

• Shallow topsoil layer

3. Erosion Status

The site shows significant sheet erosion, with patches of exposed soil and surface runoff channels.
Terracing is mandatory to prevent further degradation and create stable planting lines.

5. Suitability for Tree Planting

With proper land preparation, the site is well-suited for ecological restoration.

Recommended Tree Species

• Eucalyptus

• Grevillea robusta

• Calliandra

• Pine

• Albiziah

• Fruit trees (mango, avocado) in terraced and improved areas

• Note: we will plant in this land "Eucalyptus"

  5. Interventions Before Plantinga.

• Terracing

• Controls erosion

• Improves water infiltration

• Provides stable planting zones

b. Soil Improvement

• Mulching with grass, leaves, and biomass

• Compost added to planting pits when available

• Construction of water-retention trenches

c. Planting Techniques

• 30–50 cm deep planting pits

• Mulch applied immediately after planting

• Spacing:

  • 2–3 m for eucalyptus

  • 3 m for mixed species

6.  Overall Soil Suitability Rating

Moderate:
Low fertility and erosion risk are present, but with terracing and moisture conservation, the site is well-suited for reforestation and long-term landscape recovery.

Estimated Budget for 5 Hectares (USD)

• Land clearing & weeding: $2,070

• Terracing construction: $5,520

• Labor, tools & transport: $1,104

• Contingency (unforeseen costs): $550

Total Estimated Budget: $9,244 USD

We kindly request your generous support so we can begin land preparation immediately. You may also consider making a monthly recurring donation, which greatly strengthens our ability to sustain and expand this vital restoration work.

Thank you for everything you have done for our project. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and partnership in restoring Rwanda’s environment.

With gratitude and best regards,
Jean Damascene Uwizeyimana
President, RWAYDAVO

Links:

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