Restoring Forests With Foxholes in Madagascar

Provided by: Ecosia |Published on: January 7, 2026

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Synopsis

In this video from Ecosia, students will learn about foxholes, a forest restoration technique where seeds are planted in a hole, rather than planting trees that have been raised in a nursery.
Students will understand why this method is beneficial in Ivohiboro, Madagascar, how the project is going, and the benefits the project provides for the community.

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Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences

Authors: Fatima Gonzalez-Torres, Linnea Andersson, Antonia Burchard-Levine

Region: Africa

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

This video uses multiple filming styles to give students a full picture of the landscape.
The video also features graphics that help illustrate the technique.

Prerequisites

It may benefit students to have an understanding of the relationship between trees, climate change, and wildfires.

Differentiation & Implementation

While students watch, it may be beneficial to display a map that shows Madagascar.
In instances where people in the video are not speaking English, teachers may want to pause the video to give all readers a chance to read the subtitles on the screen.
To demonstrate their understanding, students can write or describe when it is more useful to use foxholes and when it is more useful to use typical reforestation methods.
To help make connections to climate change, teachers can explain how trees sequester carbon and how this impacts climate change. This video can help explain the concept to students.
Teachers can use this resource to show how deforestation in Madagascar is measured.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

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Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

Ecosia

Ecosia is the search engine that plants trees with its ads revenue. They have a YouTube Channel that has educational content as well to further their mission: to regenerate degraded landscapes, support rural communities and establish climate justice, one tree at a time.

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All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.