Red Island Restoration

30/09/2025

A closer look at what’s happening in major cities across Madagascar. The last clip is the people shouting for the President to step down.

29/09/2025

Please pray for Madagascar. Riots, fires, looting, and bloodshed in all the major cities, including our city of Mahajanga.

28/09/2025

On September 11, 2025, a devastating fire broke out at our Ankarafantsika site, marking a tragic event for our team and the forest. The fire, one of our greatest adversaries, erupted unexpectedly and rapidly engulfed parts of the site. The cause remains unknown, with no witnesses to the fire’s origin, but its impact is undeniable, compelling us to confront the crisis and seek immediate solutions.

The RIR team, led by Joshua, is diligently digging fire lanes around the planting sites, striving to contain the fire and safeguard the young trees that hold the promise of Ankarafantsika’s future forest. To support these efforts, we have deployed the Unimog to aid in firefighting operations.

On September 22, 2025, a second fire erupted at one of our planting sites, once again threatening the young trees we have worked so hard to nurture and endangering the future of the forest. As we speak, brave forest guards from Ampijoroa and Befotoana have swiftly mobilized to combat the blaze, uniting in a determined effort to protect what remains. The battle continues, with a tractor and car from the national park joining the fight, supporting the guards and park workers in their relentless efforts to stop the fire from destroying our planting sites. Now, more than ever, we must stand united to protect Ankarafantsika, a vital ecosystem that sustains the Malagasy community and must be preserved for future generations.

Our latest update from the ground indicates significant progress. The firefighting efforts, though initially daunting, have become more manageable, with the situation now largely under control. The bravery and dedication of our team have been instrumental in this improvement. Driven by their love for the forest and commitment to environmental preservation, they have poured their all into saving Ankarafantsika.

We urge you to support our courageous team on the ground by keeping them in your prayers as they battle the fires at Ankarafantsika. To contribute to their efforts and help restore this vital forest, please consider donating at https://arcrestoration.org/donate/

Learn more about our Ampijoroa and Befotoana here: https://arcrestoration.org/madagascar/ankarafantsika/

Explore these sites via explore.land by OpenForests at https://explorer.land/x/project/ankarafantsikanp

26/09/2025

Important Newsletter Update! Sadly, it seems that some of our recent newsletters have been going to SPAM folders. CLICK BELOW to read our latest update with some important information and how to stay up to date with the ministries in Madagascar and Kenya!
https://redislandrestoration.com/a-season-of-twists-turns-and-gods-goodness/

22/09/2025

Fire update in Madagascar— Over the weekend the Malagasy RIR/ARC team members along with Ankarafantsika National Park employees stopped the fires from jumping our firelanes and saved our planting site. But sadly, shortly after, more fires were intentionally started and this time within our planting sites. The Malagasy team, along with many villagers fought fires again today using all means possible to control the rapidly moving flames. Please pray for their safety and that those guilty for starting these fires will be caught. Also pray for the RIR team leaders as they meet tomorrow with the park authorities to seek a path forward to protect this precious forest and restoration effort.

22/09/2025

It takes a village! Thank you to all that support the ministries in both Madagascar and Kenya! We couldn't do this vital work without your generous partnership!

15/09/2025

Beautiful mamas and chunky babies- our August graduates from the Sarobidy Maternity Center.

14/09/2025

14/09/2025

Please pray for Ankarafantsika National Park in Madagascar and our team there who is partnering with the government and others to fight 2 fires. We have sent our Unimog with two large water tanks along with water backpacks for our team to help combat the blaze. The last two days the RIR team has been digging fire lanes around our planting sites with the hope that they can stop the fires and protect their future forest. They have successfully put out one fire and tomorrow morning will continue fighting the second fire that threatens one of our planting sites, where we recently planted tens of thousands of trees in January. Below are some photos and videos of the teams at work. The Governor of Mahajanga also put out a social media post recognizing the partnership with Red Island Restoration (RIR) in fighting these fires. Click this link to see the post.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HnYhKGtsW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thank you for your prayers and financial generosity which allows these efforts to be possible.

11/09/2025

Back into the swing of the school year with 31 freshman and sophomore guys!

03/09/2025

Thankful to be partnering with this incredible organization!

04/07/2025

𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹. 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦: 1.5 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘴.

The Antsaboaka Forest in Madagascar is ready to embark on a journey of restoration, moving beyond past unsustainable practices caused by economic difficulties. Only 7 kilometers away, the thriving and ongoing restoration of the Ankilahila Forest stands as a beacon of hope for its renewal. Through us here at Accelerated Restoration Collaborative (ARC), in partnership with Red Island Restoration (RIR) and our corporate sponsors, we are preparing to revitalize Antsaboaka through natural forest restoration and sustainable practices that foster harmony between the forest and its communities. Read on to discover how we’re laying the foundation for Antsaboaka’s renewal.

Our approach centers on empowering Malagasy communities, inspired by Ankilahila’s success. We will hire local guardians to protect Antsaboaka’s ecosystem from exploitation and wildlife harm. These guardians will promote sustainable practices, replacing destructive activities with renewable resource use. By preserving the Rafia Forests’ green belt, which links the dry forest to mangroves and supports vital water sources, we’ll ensure a resilient environment. Combining our global restoration expertise with RIR’s local knowledge, we aim to achieve lasting progress for the forests.

Antsaboaka’s proximity to Ankilahila offers a clear path forward. Our collaborative efforts with RIR, focused on empowering communities through forest-linked economic opportunities, echo Ankilahila’s harmony between nature and people. By fostering sustainable practices and local stewardship, we’re helping Antsaboaka become a cornerstone of healthy environments, ensuring both forests and their communities flourish for generations to come.

Join us as we continue the “Employ to Restore” Journey
Collaborate with us by visiting our website, www.arcrestoration.org

Connect with us on our social media platforms:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcrestorationorg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arcrestorationorg
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/arcrestorationorg
Twitter/X: twitter.com/empowerwithARC