POST-TREE DONATION EVALUATION REPORT (2025)

1. Introduction

In 2022, TGED Foundation launched an ambitious environmental sustainability project, distributing 5,000 tree seedlings across 14 communities in Ekiti State. The seedlings were handed over to traditional rulers as custodians, with the expectation that they would be planted within their domains—in palaces, farms, schools, communal land, and private holdings.

In October–November 2025, TGED Foundation initiated a post-tree donation evaluation and baseline assessment, revisiting selected communities to gather evidence, understand the level of survival, collect testimonies, and generate baseline data ahead of TREEVOLUTION 2026, a renewed and expanded tree-planting mission.

Three communities were selected for this first round of evaluation:
Igbemo-Ekiti, Ipoti-Ekiti, and Ire-Ekiti.

These communities were chosen based on:

• Their enthusiastic reception in 2022
• Their accessibility for test evaluation
• Their geographical spread across LGAs
• Their willingness to engage in 2025
• Potential for serving as reference case studies for the remaining 11 communities

2. Evaluation Objectives

1. To document testimonies from traditional rulers regarding the 2022 tree seedling donation.
2. To assess the level of community planting, survival rate, and utilization of the seedlings.
3. To collect qualitative and quantitative baseline environmental data.
4. To evaluate community awareness of environmental conservation.
5. To determine readiness for collaboration under Treevolution 2026.
6. To identify challenges faced during and after the 2022 planting.
7. To extract lessons for improved implementation in 2026.

3. Summary of Community Engagement & Royal Feedback

Below is a summary of key points from the kings of the three visited communities.

A. Igbemo-Ekiti — Testimonial Summary

His Royal Highness: Oba Adewumi Daramola

Key Feedback:

• The king remembers the 2022 donation clearly and appreciated the initiative.
• The community was extremely happy and demanded more seedlings at the time.
• Seedlings were planted in the palace, streets, and farms.
• Some seedlings survived; two were seen in the palace, and one beneficiary raised 100 new seedlings from matured trees.
• The king highlighted that the dry season and graded palace soil reduced survival.
• The community now understands the principle: “When one tree is cut, two should be planted.”
• Trees are now seen as an environmental and economic asset.
• The community is excited about Treevolution 2026 and wants more seedlings.

We also met with one of the beneficiaries, Mr. Sunday who disclosed that he planted 10 seedlings of two species (Mahogany and Teak) but only 5 survived and from the 5 seed of the 5 that survived he was able to raise another 100 seedlings which he planted in his farm and they are doing well. And he further stated that he has cut part of the trees we donated to support the just concluded roofing project of his house.

Unique Impact from Igbemo:

• One beneficiary harvested matured trees for roofing.
• Community-developed indigenous solutions to replanting.
• Strong knowledge retention from 2022 sensitization.

B. Ipoti-Ekiti — Testimonial Summary

His Royal Highness: Oba Oladipupo Kolade

Key Feedback:

• The king remembers the 2022 donation and personally planted six seedlings in his farm, most of which survived.
• The seedlings were also distributed to chiefs, though survival varies.
• The initiative was well received because the community values the environmental benefits of trees.
• The major challenge was the dry season, which affected survival.
• Community awareness on environmental issues remains minimal, but willingness for future tree planting is very high.
• The community requests more training and wants TGED to help assess soil topography for appropriate species selection.

Unique Impact from Ipoti:

• Trees planted in the king’s farm acted as windbreakers.
• The king affirms readiness for deeper collaboration in 2026.

C. Ire-Ekiti — Testimonial Summary

His Royal Highness: Oba Victor Bobade

Key Feedback:

• The king recalls receiving 80+ seedlings, not up to 100.
• About 40% survived, according to reports from chiefs.
• Most seedlings were planted in farms.
• The same dry-season challenge significantly affected survival.
• The king suggested a designated community land for centralized tree planting and monitoring.
• Community awareness is low, but willingness for future collaboration is maximum.
• The king emphasized the need for seedlings to be donated during the rainy season for higher survival rates.

Unique Impact from Ire:

• Strong willingness to assign land for collective tree management.
• Beneficiaries retained key tree management knowledge from 2022.

4. Consolidated Findings Across the Three Communities

Below is a unified synthesis from Igbemo, Ipoti, and Ire.

A. Seedling Planting & Utilization

• All three communities unanimously confirmed they planted the seedlings.
• Distribution patterns were similar: kings → chiefs → farmers → individuals.
• Most plantings occurred in:
  Farms
  Palace compounds
  Community streets

B. Survival & Impact

Common Survival Rate: 20–40% (due to dry-season donation)
Observed Impacts:

• Windbreak effect (Ipoti, Ire)
• Shade and beautification (Igbemo)
• Increased environmental consciousness
• Economic benefit (Igbemo beneficiary who used wood for roofing)
• One beneficiary successfully propagated 100 new seedlings from surviving trees (Igbemo)

C. Environmental & Behavioral Change

Across all communities:

• Improved understanding of the roles of trees
• Increased willingness to plant more
• Positive disposition towards environmental projects
• Recognition of tree planting as a source of economic value

But also:

✖ Limited tree cover
✖ High deforestation/degradation in some communities (notably Ire)
✖ Poor environmental awareness in Ipoti & Ire

D. Challenges Identified

1. Timing: Seedlings were donated during the dry season.
2. Water scarcity: A leading cause of tree mortality.
3. Soil challenges: Graded palace soil in Igbemo; varying soil fertility across communities.
4. Lack of a designated caregiver: No assigned person to monitor seedlings.
5. Access issues: Bad roads to all three communities.
6. Weak beneficiary coordination: Especially in Ipoti and Ire.

E. Opportunities for Treevolution 2026

Communities requested:

• More seedlings
• Donation during rainy season (May–July)
• Training for the community
• Soil assessment before species selection
• Designated community nurseries or land
• Stronger collaboration with palace structures

All communities expressed maximum willingness to join Treevolution 2026.

5. Conclusion

The 2025 evaluation reveals that although the survival rate of the 2022 seedlings was limited by seasonal timing and environmental conditions, the knowledge impact, community enthusiasm, and institutional memory remain remarkably strong.

Across Igbemo, Ipoti, and Ire:

Trees survived (20–40%).
Knowledge survived even more strongly.
Communities are eager for renewed partnership.
Lessons learned will significantly improve future programming.

The initiative did more than plant trees — it planted awareness, behavior change, and community readiness.

Together, we can build resilient communities, restore our environment, and drive meaningful climate action.