Earth Day & AP Sensing's 270,000 Tree Celebration

At AP Sensing, innovation, creativity, and inspiration thrive. As we celebrate Earth Day, did you realize that alongside these virtues, we grow 2-3 trees per employee every workday? 

With years invested in AP Sensing's tree planting initiative with our partner WeForest, we're thrilled to announce that we have grown 270,000 trees – the equivalent of 236 football pitches! This achievement reflects our dedication to making a tangible difference in the world around us.

2023 Malawi Project Updates

In 2023 WeForest made significant strides in forest management in Malawi, with major focuses including setting up offices and keeping project activities on track despite the tropical cyclone Freddy. Some of the key updates include:

  • 1500 hectares of miombo under co-management – representing around 1.5 million trees protected and regenerating
  • 75000 agroforestry seedlings planted in 2023
  • 12 km of firebreaks established and maintained in the Kazembe and Tchete co-management block
  • 12 km of firebreaks established and managed in the cedar planting sites
  • 35 native species regeneration

Restoration/Co-Management

WeForest has been working to protect and regenerate around 8 million trees of 35 different species since the start of this project. They support the Forestry Department through conducting law enforcement and ranger patrols. Fire management is also conducted by establishing firebreaks and conducting early controlled burning. By the end of 2024, 3390 hectares of Mulanje and Phalombe are expected to be protected through co-management with WeForest. 

Livelihoods

Improvements to household income and quality of life are the focus of WeForest’s livelihood program. WeForest’s agroforestry scheme (integration of trees and crops), aims to increase the sustainable supply of fuelwood to reduce pressure on the forest. Species of tree species are selected based on community preference, and the priority of benefit (fuelwood, poles/timber, or crop productivity). Currently over 75,000 seedlings have been planted (impacted by the cyclone of March 2023). 

Stewardship and Governance

Consultation was a priority in 2023 toward stakeholders, staff and external forestry experts. What's more is WeForest has expressed that a process of Free Prior and Informed Consent is conducted within communities (to be able to vote in acceptance of a project in the area or not). One challenge this year was deforestation in relation to charcoal production. To combat this, 26 community volunteers were trained in law enforcement in collaboration with the Malawi College of Forestry. Additionally, 55 uniforms and boots were provided by WeForest through the District Forestry Office for use of patrol. 

What’s Next?

  •  50 new farmers will be selected and trained in 2024 (after which they are set up for agroforestry). 
  • 250,000 seedlings in Mulanje and Phalombe will be raised. 
  • This means 5000 seedlings per farmer will be raised.


A survey was conducted by WeForest using 498 households in 2023 to measure the impact of their activities. This final report is under development, a needs assessment/scoping exercise will be introduced, and Area Development Committee meetings will be continued to introduce projects to communities. 


How Does AP Sensing Contribute?

We plant 100 trees for every fiber optic sensing interrogator (DAS/DTS) sold as well as additional trees every quarter to reduce the impact of our business travel. There are three important reasons that AP Sensing is planting trees: 

  • Climate protection/C02 emission reduction 
  • Forest restoration 
  • Positive impacts on local community, water supply and agriculture.

As we celebrate Earth Day, let's draw inspiration from our successes in 2023 and recommit ourselves to sustainable environmental practices. Join AP Sensing and WeForest on this journey of resilience and restoration, as we continue to empower communities, protect ecosystems, and pave the way for a greener, healthier planet.

Want to read more? Visit WeForest’s What We Do webpage or AP Sensing’s Passion for Plants webpage.

*The photos used on this page are copyright WeForest 2024