The Ghaf tree is an essential source of food, medicine and shelter and it has been an integral part of the UAE's desert landscape for centuries. Its roots, which can grow up to depths of 30 meters can survive in the harshest of conditions and help to prevent desertification. However, it is now endangered due to over grazing, extensive lopping for fodder and loss of habitat.

In 2011, Goumbook, a Dubai based organization, launched its "Give a Ghaf " campaign to safeguard the tree and sought to engage UAE residents and members of civil society in this venture.

Green Hope UAE, which seeks to involve children and youth in the march towards sustainability, participated in this campaign and worked with Goumbook to collect Ghaf pods in the Dubai desert . We used special poles to sever the pods from the high branches taking care not to damage any nests. We then picked up the pods from the base of the trees and stored them in bags. It was hot , but very fulfilling work. Therefter , we gathered the pods in the nursery germination room and extracted the seeds from these pods. The seeds were sorted and then stored for planting which will happen after summer , sometime in October.

17th June is the World Day to Combat Desertification and ventures such as these are essential to bring awareness on the local environment and for stopping land degradation.

On 17th June afternoon , at a ceremony  in Safa Park ,under the shade of a big Ghaf tree,  the Goumbook Give a Ghaf team and Green Hope UAE will  sign a pledge to plant Ghaf trees ( during the planting season) to commemorate World Day to Combat Desertification. We will share the pictures soon.