TREES FOR ELEPHANTS

On July 3rd, the Elephant Nature Foundation (ENF) hosted a tree planting day, organized by Antoinette van de Water. She called it “Let’s create an elephant jungle together”.

The Elephant Nature Foundation has some beautiful land a few kilometers from Chiang Mai city known to the volunteers as ‘Elephant Heaven’. 

Some of the Thai land that I love, future home for rescued elephants

Eventually the area will be a safe haven for elephants that will have been released into the wild. A lot of work needs to be done, including replacing large areas of forest. Enter Antoinette and her tree planting!

"Let's Create an Elephant Jungle Together"

Antoinette van de Water

Many volunteers from the ENF and Bring the Elephant Home project, along with some 38 young students from the Star Fish School in nearby Mae Tang comprised the volunteer crew for this environmental event.

First there is instruction; then a demonstration

The volunteers, children and adults alike, quickly got into a rhythm. Some carried seedlings.

Team Work

 Some planted,and some put in location stakes and fertilized the ground around the newly planted seedlings. Some of the volunteers ensured the plastic wrappings that protected the unplanted seedlings were removed, leaving the newly planted area organically pristine.

Hard work; very satisfying.  One day there will be many huge trees here.

As well as the photography, I planted one tree. Maliwan commented that I’m no farmer and gently suggested my ‘skills’ might be more in line with carrying the new trees to the planting area. I agreed and made several trips to get seedlings and bring them back to the planting area.  With each trip the crew was further and further away.  Significant progress was made and now Elephant Heaven is much closer to being a reality for elephants which will one day enjoy the area as their new home.!

Antoinette van de Water

Carol Buckley

 Sangduen "Lek" Chailert.

They dedicate their lives to helping elephants

 and other abused creatures.

They are three of my personal heros!

In all, almost 4,000 trees were planted in one happy, hard working, rainy day! Everyone was wet, muddy and happy.  

End of the day, on the truck and ready to go back to the park

Some 2,000 seedlings remained to be planted as soon as possible. Since the road to Elephant Heaven was nearly impassible during the then rainy season, a 2nd planting was organized for the following week at the Elephant Nature Park. This time, 35 students from the Faculty of Agriculture, Rajabhat University came to help. The park is now even greener than before!

I should tell you, gentle reader, that there are more images and if you want to see them just go to

http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/June2010/    and

http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/July_2010/

In fact there are photo's that will support the next two or three articles.   I'll get them written as soon as I have a few minutes; be patient.

Abundant blessings,


Jerry Nelson