Can planting trees heal a land devastated by civil war

In Northern Uganda, a community once torn apart by war is regrowing its future—one tree at a time. In this episode, we travel to Bar Opok, a rural village in Northern Uganda, to learn how a resilient community is reclaiming its forests. Once devastated by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, the land was stripped bare, its people displaced, and its environment left vulnerable to erosion, heat, and storms.Meet Walter Atine, village chairman, and John Ogwal, founder of the Dwok Can Ipur Group, whose grassroots reforestation efforts are helping restore both the landscape and community spirit. With support from organizations like Kijani Forestry and a growing network of determined residents—including youth and women like Evelyne Awor—the village has planted over 5,000 trees, welcoming back biodiversity and hope.And, you’ll hear from young leader Benard Odongo, whose passion for nature is inspiring a new generation, and experience the sounds of Bar Opok—from birdsong to local music—captured in the heart of the reemerging forest.This episode was hosted by Ivy Prosper. It was produced by Emma Stuart Kiss and it was edited by Tara Sprickerhoff and Emma Stuart-Kiss. More about Nature Answers: Rural Stories from a Changing Planet at farmradio.org/natureanswersThis is a Farm Radio International podcast produced thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.