Every year, millions of trees are planted across Niger, but most never get the chance to grow. In the harsh Sahel climate, nearly two-thirds of newly planted saplings fail to survive, turning ambitious reforestation efforts into an ongoing challenge. 
In this report from Niamey, climate ambassador Souraya Ousmane and a growing network of volunteers are showing that successful reforestation is about far more than planting. From pruning and composting to long-term care and community involvement, they are helping residents give trees a fighting chance against droughtand land degradation. As Niger loses more than 1,000 square kilometers of fertile land each year, even small local actions can help reverse the trend and restore greener landscapes.