In Western Ghana, illegal gold mining (galamsey) has caused widespread deforestation, soil degradation, and contamination of rivers with mercury and cyanide. These polluted water sources flow downstream, ultimately impacting coastal and marine ecosystems

This project promotes a scalable, youth-led approach to ecological restoration and community resilience. We aim to: Restore 3+ acres of degraded land through the planting of 1,000 native trees, Train 25 women and displaced farmers in sustainable agroforestry and mushroom farming, Engage local youth in conservation education, StoryMap advocacy, and GIS-based environmental monitoring. We combine nature-based solutions with digital storytelling to raise awareness, advocate for policy change, and provide economic alternatives to illegal mining. This project builds local stewardship while generating measurable environmental impact.