- Our 2008 schedule is coming soon
- Join RNK for June, July or August 2008
- Take a look at the new 2007 Photo Gallery
- Multilingual website is under development

Reforestation

of Northern

Khentii

a mongolian community project supported by volunteer tourism

WELCOME!

Reforestation of Northern Khentii is a community project recently started by the residents of a small town in northeastern Mongolia.

The treeless steppe.

The town of Umnudelger has been suffering from the effects of desertification in the region, and it is in desperate need of a program to plant new trees, restore its water supply, and place it on the path toward living sustainably within its fragile environment.

But we cannot do this alone. Umnudelger is a small community, and we are tackling a big project. This is why we are looking to the mobile world community to visit Umnudelger, roll up its sleeves, and join us in one of the most rewarding activities there is: planting a tree.

WHERE IS UMNUDELGER?

Khentii Aimag (Province) is located to the east of Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar. Umnudelger Soum (District) is in the northwestern part of Khentii and has a population of 5800 people, half of whom live in the Soum Center. The other half of our people live in smaller settlements or in individual gers in the countryside.

Tree planting will eventually take place in the town of Umnudelger, around the source of a dry local river. For now, our camp is on the site of our nursery and is located in a small settlement about 30km outside of the Umnudelger Soum Center, in the Khaan Khentii Strictly Protected Area.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:

You can become a volunteer tourist! You can come and stay in our tourist camp and nursery, where you will be working alongside a local Mongolian crew, planting and caring for trees. About half of your tour fee will be used to fund our reforestation project. Essentially, you will be supporting RNK by both lending a hand and by making a financial contribution that will go towards buying materials and employing our crew.

Volunteer tourism is a growing trend around the world, as travellers are increasingly dissatisfied with traditional tourism, which can promote separation from the visited community and even exploitation. Working with RNK, you will be hosted by our community itself, and you will get to participate in its traditional culture and see places and landmarks that few others have been to.

No experience in planting or gardening is necessary. You will be guided by Mongolian forestry experts, so anyone can get involved! We welcome all ages and abilities of participants.

N.B. This English-language website has been created by a Canadian volunteer under the full direction of the Mongolian founders of Reforestation of Northern Khentii. A French version of the site will be available very soon (2007), with a Mongolian-language website to follow.