The Diocese of Ottawa has embarked on a remarkable journey of environmental stewardship through its Branches of Hope initiative https://pwrdf.org/branchesofhope/. By partnering with PWRDF, the Diocese is making a significant impact on both local and global ecosystems. These native trees will be counted as part of the Communion Forest and will add to the health of local communities for generations to come.

The core of this initiative lies in its innovative “twinning” approach. For every tree planted in Ottawa, multiple trees are planted in Uganda. This year alone, a remarkable 410 trees were planted locally, resulting in the planting of 23,000 trees in Uganda.

These trees, distributed by St. Jude Family Projects, include a variety of native and fruit-bearing species. Among the native trees are Faidherbia albida (Musita/Nsabya), known for its ability to improve soil fertility and provide shade and fodder; Markhamia lutea (Musambya), valued for timber, medicinal uses, and shade; Maesopsis eminii (Musizi), a fast-growing tree used for timber and soil improvement; and Albizia coriaria (Musisa), another important nitrogen-fixing species. Additionally, recipients requested and received fruit trees such as jackfruit, mango, avocado, guava, papaya, and banana.

Inspired by a visit from Josephine Kizza, a former PWRDF program coordinator, the Diocese of Ottawa established a dedicated working group to drive this initiative forward. Parishioners from various churches, including Epiphany Anglican Church, have enthusiastically participated in tree planting activities, contributing to the overall success of the project.

By supporting this initiative, the Diocese of Ottawa is not only beautifying local communities but also contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.