From 16 to 19 October, our team carried out a field mission across the Kyzylorda Region, covering the cities of Kyzylorda, Aral, and Kazalinsk. Over four days, our team journeyed across the vast Kyzylorda Region to explore 1,000 hectares of potential planting sites. Along the way, they met with local forestry and regional authorities, visited nurseries, and studied the land firsthand—testing soil, mapping logistics, and envisioning how saxaul forests could once again thrive where the Aral Sea once stretched.
The Green Earth team met with representatives from the Forestry and Land Use Departments, as well as other stakeholders. The discussions focused on building long-term partnerships and advancing shared goals for restoring vegetation cover and strengthening ecosystem resilience across the region.
The team then travelled to the designated planting site near Kulyandy village, around 250 kilometres from Aral. Accompanied by experts from the Kazalinsk and Aral Forestry Departments, local nursery staff, and a soil specialist from Aral, they conducted a detailed assessment of the land. The specialists in saxaul cultivation offered practical insights into soil composition and the species’ remarkable ability to thrive in arid, saline environments. Several local participants joined the group on-site, highlighting the collaborative and community-driven nature of the project.
Read more: From dust to lush: the revitalisation of Lake Aral's banks
The Lake Aral Afforestation Project is part of a long-term effort to restore the dried banks of the Aral Sea through the establishment of new saxaul ecosystems. These salt-tolerant trees play a crucial role in stabilising the soil, reducing the impacts of sand-salt storms, and fostering biodiversity. Beyond the environmental benefits, the project supports local livelihoods by creating employment opportunities and promoting sustainable land management practices.
At Green Earth, we go beyond afforestation. As an end-to-end developer of nature-based solutions, we work hand in hand with governments, local communities, and private-sector partners to design, set, and achieve meaningful sustainability targets. From project design and on-the-ground implementation to long-term monitoring and certification, our expertise ensures that every initiative delivers measurable, lasting impact for both nature and people.
