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"Our earth is ailing. In its own language, it tells us that we must act together in a sustained and coordinated effort to help it heal. It seems self-evident that we should initiate or expand domestic strategies that lead to coordinated regional and global efforts."

His Majesty the late King Hussein addressed the Rio "Earth Summit" in 1992.

Several decades prior to Rio; the Royal Society for Conservation of Nature (RSCN) was established in Jordan as the first non-governmental organization of its kind in the Arab world. Both their Majesties: the late King Hussein and Queen Noor showed continued support to RSCN and its activities.

Following in the footsteps of both his parents, HRH Prince Hamzah developed a passion for conserving and enhancing Jordan's bio diversity. In 2006, HRH, Chaired the first meeting of Al Shajarah's founding committee. Jordanian forest land, at the time, was under enormous threat. An immediate need for swift action to prevent further degradation was evident. Thus, work towards creating Al Shajarah was initiated and it was officially registered as Jordan's first Forest NGO in 2007.

Al Shajarah aims at becoming the main advocate for strategies, policies, plans and programs aimed at increasing and enhancing areas covered by trees and forests in Jordan.

Its mission, however, is to promote acknowledgment of trees as being living entities, critical to the ecological balance and attainment of sustainable socio-economic development, along with advocating for national policies, strategies, laws and regulations that will conserve and increase that natural cover.

Al Shajarah set for its self several challenging objectives. These include increasing areas covered by trees and forests around Jordan from less than 1% today to 2.5% by the year 2025. It also aims at changing public and private perceptions towards trees and forests. Doing so, Al Shajarah will suggest economically viable and eco-friendly alternatives for firewood in areas where forests and trees are in danger due to wood cutting. Al Shajarah will work aggressively on promoting the role of trees and forests in the socio-economy, climate and quality of life in cooperation with the government, local communities and civil society both within Jordan and abroad.

Al Shajarah, as it enters its first year, looks forward to a prosperous future for forests in Jordan under the royal patronage and support of HRH Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein.