Multicultural Partners Planting Trees in Africa

Our House of Life initiative beautifully embodies the Moroccan tradition of linking cultural preservation with community development. By establishing organic tree nurseries on land adjoining Jewish burial sites, we create a living tribute to Morocco’s Jewish heritage while supporting Muslim farming communities.

Since 2012, this groundbreaking program has:

- Distributed nearly 300,000 fruit tree saplings to 1,500 farming families

- Established nurseries at sacred Jewish sites in Akrich (near the 700-year-old tomb of Rabbi Raphael Hacohen), Imerdal (Rabbi David-ou-Moshe), Telouet (Rabbi Aron Abu Hassira), and Sidi Rahal (Rabbi Yaacob Nahamias)

- Cultivated organic varieties including almond, fig, pomegranate, carob, cherry, and aromatic medicinal plants

With land committed near eight Jewish cemeteries across Morocco, we can plant and monitor an additional 10 million trees, alleviating rural poverty while creating a global model of interfaith solidarity.

The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) is proud to welcome Souad Agnaou as its new Director of Sustainable Agriculture.

With over a decade of experience in Morocco's agricultural transformation, including her work as a Project Manager and Gender Focal Point at the Agence pour le Développement Agricole (ADA), Souad brings invaluable expertise to HAF's mission.

She has contributed to flagship national programs such as the Green Morocco Plan and Generation Green 2020–2030, always focusing on the intersection of people, land, and sustainable development.

Souad was drawn to HAF because of its deeply people-centered approach to environmental work. After years in the public sector, she wanted to be closer to the ground where ideas directly touch lives and landscapes.

Her vision is to strengthen HAF's tree-planting program into a flagship model of climate-smart agroforestry that regenerates ecosystems while creating dignified livelihoods.

At the heart of her work is a commitment to empowering communities, particularly women's cooperatives and youth groups in mountain regions, to lead environmental change with the support, tools, and trust they need to succeed. Read the full interview with Souad below:

Introduction & Background

Could you tell us a little about your professional journey so far? Over the past decade, my professional path has been deeply rooted in Morocco’s agricultural transformation.

I have always been drawn to the intersection of people, land, and purpose and this calling has guided me through every stage of my career.

Before joining the High Atlas Foundation, I served as a Project manager and Gender Focal Point at the “Agence pour le Développement Agricole” (ADA), where I had the privilege of contributing to flagship national programs such as the Green Morocco Plan and Generation Green 2020–2030.

This experience taught me that true development happens when productivity and human dignity grow together when agriculture becomes not only a means of livelihood, but a path toward empowerment, equity, and ecological balance.

What motivated you to take on the role of Director of Tree-Planting at HAF? What inspired me to join HAF was its deeply human approach to development.

The Foundation’s work goes far beyond planting trees; it is about planting hope, opportunity, and ownership within communities.

After years of working in the public sector, I wanted to be closer to the ground, to see ideas take root in real lives and landscapes.

This role allows me to combine my technical expertise with my passion for people, nature, and impact and to contribute directly to building a more resilient Morocco.

Vision & Strategy

What is your long-term vision for HAF’s tree-planting program? My long-term vision is to see HAF’s tree-planting evolve into a flagship model of climate-smart agroforestry in Morocco, one that regenerates ecosystems while creating dignified livelihoods.

We are not simply planting millions of trees; we are restoring balance between people and nature. Every tree should represent both environmental resilience and economic opportunity, a living bridge between sustainability and social justice.

Are there particular regions or communities you want to focus on? Our work spans multiple regions from the High Atlas to Fès-Meknès and the Oriental each facing unique ecological and social challenges.

I am particularly committed to supporting mountain communities where soil erosion, water scarcity, and rural exodus are most severe.

These are also places where women’s cooperatives and youth groups have the greatest potential to lead change if given the right tools and trust.

Technical & Environmental Aspects

Which tree species are most important for the program, and why? We prioritize native and high-value species such as carob, almond, olive, argan, pomegranate, and fig.

Each has a story and a purpose; they are resilient, adapted to local ecosystems, and deeply woven into Morocco’s cultural and economic fabric.

The carob tree thrives in dry conditions while providing long-term income through food and cosmetic products. Choosing the right tree is both a scientific and symbolic act; it connects climate resilience to heritage and identity.

What are the biggest challenges in carrying out reforestation projects in Morocco? Our main challenges are linked to water scarcity, land availability, and the logistics of reaching remote areas.

Climate change has intensified these constraints, but it has also reminded us of the importance of adaptation.

Success requires not only technical planning, but also deep collaboration, aligning farmers, local authorities, and donors around shared goals and realistic timelines.

How do you address issues like water scarcity, climate change, and soil erosion? We combine traditional wisdom with modern technology.

Water-harvesting basins, terracing, solar-powered drip irrigation, and soil regeneration practices are part of our daily operations.

But beyond techniques, it’s about the mindset encouraging communities to view water and soil as living partners. We also invest heavily in training so that farmers can adapt to climate variability with confidence and autonomy.

Community & Collaboration

What role do local communities play in planting and caring for the trees? Communities are the true heart of this work. At HAF, we don’t impose projects, we co-create them.

From nursery management to planting and maintenance, farmers, women’s cooperatives, and schools take the lead. Our role is to support with training, seedlings, and technical guidance.

This participatory approach builds trust, accountability, and a sense of pride because the trees belong to them, not to us.

Are there key partnerships with other organizations or institutions that strengthen the program? Yes, partnerships are central to our model.

We collaborate closely with national institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agency for Water and Forests, the National Initiative for human development as well as international partners.

These alliances help us bridge local action with global impact combining financial support, scientific knowledge, and shared learning.

Impact & Future

How do you measure success both in numbers and in terms of social impact? We measure success on several levels. Quantitatively, we track the number of trees planted and surviving, the hectares restored, and the farmers trained.

Qualitatively, we assess empowerment, especially how women and youth are participating and benefiting.

For me, success is when a farmer says, “These trees have changed my life,” or when a community starts planting without waiting for external support. That’s when we know change is real.

Is there a message you’d like to share with readers and supporters of HAF? Each tree we plant carries the promise of renewal for the land, for communities, and for the generations to come.

I invite everyone who believes in the power of nature and human potential to take part in this movement.

Whether by planting a tree, supporting a nursery, or empowering a rural woman or young farmer, every contribution helps transform lives and landscapes.

Together, we can turn reforestation into a living expression of empowerment, care, and resilience, a legacy that grows with every season.