Grassroots Climate Resilience Takes Root in Kaduna State

The Bridge That Gap Initiative has led a significant initiative in promoting grassroots climate resilience in Kaduna State, distributing over 2,000 trees across communities in the Chikun Local Government Area. This effort marks the completion of the first phase of a 5,000-tree afforestation campaign under the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance. The initiative aims to engage local communities in nature-based solutions to climate change, recognizing the critical role community involvement plays in addressing the climate crisis.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 2,000 trees were distributed across communities in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, including 1,300 forest trees and 700 fruit trees.
• The initiative is part of a 5,000-tree afforestation campaign under the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance.
• The project involved the distribution of climate resilient trees such as teak, eucalyptus, and gmelina, as well as economically beneficial fruit trees like guava, soursop, cashew, orange, palm, and date palm.
• The project aims to promote sustainable land use and ecosystem restoration, with a focus on deepening outreach to more vulnerable communities in the second phase.
• The approach ensures inclusive participation by assigning forest trees to public spaces and fruit trees to households, blending environmental goals with economic benefit.
• The initiative has inspired community members to promote tree planting among faith-based groups and households.
• Rose Otitoyomi, a beneficiary, described the project as empowering, stating that the trees will feed her family, clean the air, and provide something valuable to nurture.
• Lydia Saleh of the Network of Civil Societies in Environment commended Bridge That Gap for championing local ownership of climate action.

Statistics:

• 2,000 trees were distributed across communities in the Chikun Local Government Area.
• 1,300 forest trees and 700 fruit trees were distributed to public institutions and households.
• 1,000 trees are planned for distribution in the second phase of the campaign.
• The initiative is part of a 5,000-tree afforestation campaign under the Nigeria Climate Justice Alliance.
• 60% of the trees distributed were climate resilient, and 40% were economically beneficial fruit trees.

Sources:

• "Bridge That Gap Initiative Leads Tree Planting Initiative in Kaduna State", Voice of Nigeria, 25 July 2025.