Tree Seedling Project: Expanding Forests Together with Volunteers 🌳

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We are constantly surrounded by concrete jungles.

Today is a great opportunity for us to spend time in a real green forest.

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6:00 AM on a Saturday morning

We grabbed our hats, packed our cameras, donned comfortable pants, and slipped on our favorite sneakers. It was time to go plant trees on a weekend when the weather was just begging us to stay in bed. Haha!

Just a few days ago, we stumbled upon an event called "Grow Seedlings, Expand the Forest" in Ratchaburi province on the 'Volunteer Together' Facebook page. We immediately decided to join in.

After five days of working in the concrete jungle from Monday to Friday, it was time to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and immerse ourselves in the refreshing greenery of the forest.

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Meeting Point

The team arranged for everyone to meet at the PTT gas station in Sanam Pao. We set off early in the morning on a comfortable mid-sized bus with soft seats. We joked that we looked like a Chinese tour group, haha!

- Departure -

The scenery gradually changed from the cityscape with its towering buildings to a vista of mountains, pine forests, and vast open fields.

After dozing off the entire journey, waking up to this view was an absolute delight.

Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary

After a three-hour journey from the main road, we arrived at the Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary in Ratchaburi Province. As buses are unable to access the sanctuary, we embarked on a walk to the reception building, where our first activity commenced.

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New friends and the grilled chicken dance

We soon arrived at the welcome building and began recreational activities, starting with a game of rock-paper-scissors. This popular game brought smiles to our faces and allowed us to meet new friends with whom we would explore the forest throughout the day.

Lunchtime in the Forest

After the excitement of the morning's activities, everyone was feeling drained from all the dancing. It was time for a special lunch prepared by the forest rangers.

Our dining hall for the day was located in the heart of the forest. The menu was simple and unpretentious, but it won over our hearts completely.

A medley of stir-fried vegetables, a large pot of mushroom tom yum soup, and to top it all off, an omelet that warmed our souls. Delicious!

- Moving on -

From the activity building, we had to take a ride in the forest ranger's truck to get a little closer to the forest.

The experience of sitting in the back of the pickup truck, feeling the cool breeze,

plus the view of the reservoir and the green mountains all the way was really good for the heart.

- Jungle Trekking -

We soon arrived at the starting point of our jungle trek, where another group of forest rangers joined us.

The rangers came fully equipped with saplings and various tools.

The location where the dam was to be built required a short hike through a narrow path deep into the forest.

Along the way, we helped carry equipment and tools, ready to tackle the task of building the dam and creating a mud puddle today.

- Why build a weir? -

The officers explained that we need to build a weir to slow down and store water.

This will keep the water in the forest longer, and the surrounding trees will be moist all the time.

We started by building a strong and sturdy bamboo frame.

Then we helped each other place large stones on the first layer.

Alternating with small stones, placed to fill the small gaps and slow down the water flow.

From one stone, two stones, it became a layer of stones stacked together, thanks to everyone's cooperation.

What is a Clay Lick?

While we were arranging stones in the bamboo frame, we divided another small team to prepare a clay lick.

A clay lick is a patch of ground rich in minerals, serving as a source of essential nutrients for animals. These licks can occur naturally or be created artificially, as we did in this case, known as a "supplementary lick."

To create a clay lick, we dug a small pit, crushed mineral supplements into a fine powder, and sprinkled it over the pit. We then mixed in some table salt and covered it with soil. This simple process provides a valuable food source for barking deer and muntjac.

- Together We Can -

After we have worked together to build the weirs and earthen mounds,

it's time to take a group photo to remember.

Today, we have tried new experiences, built earthen mounds, and created weirs for the first time.

The End of the Adventure

As we made our way back from the forest, the initially overcast sky began to unleash a gentle rain that gradually intensified. With no shelter in sight, we found ourselves amidst the downpour, our umbrellas offering little protection. But instead of seeking refuge, we embraced the moment, laughing as we ran and played in the refreshing rain. It had been a while since we had experienced such carefree joy.

The rain continued to pour as we walked back, soaking us to the bone. Just as we reached the parking lot, the sky brightened once again. Our adventure culminated in a unique activity: firing the seeds of a mahogany tree. We were grateful to the dedicated volunteer team who continued to capture photos of us, even though our own cameras were safely tucked away in the depths of our bags.

Special thanks to the team for the final photos.

A Smile from the Forest

We concluded today's activity in a friendly atmosphere.

Thank you to the officers and volunteers who joined us.

You took good care of us.

It was another day that I felt I made the right decision.

I forced myself to wake up early and escape into nature, to go hiking.

Instead of sleeping in my blanket, waking up late on a Saturday morning.

If you are interested in good activities, you can check out the link below.

Link to Facebook page