Environmental Glossary

Agroforestry: A land-management approach that combines trees and shrubs with crops or livestock, improving soil health, biodiversity and household resilience.

Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal life in a habitat. Planting indigenous species supports the insects, birds and animals that evolved alongside them.

Carbon sequestration: The process by which trees and soils capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change.

Conservation: The protection and careful management of natural resources such as forests, water and soil to prevent degradation and loss.

Environmental Champion: A primary school pupil trained and supported by ShareServe to lead environmental action at their school and in their community.

Green Club: A student-led group at a partner school, guided by a patron teacher, that plans and runs environmental activities such as tree planting and clean-ups.

Guardian: The most senior leadership stage a Champion can reach, representing their school and shaping community environmental action.

Indigenous tree: A tree species native to a region. Indigenous trees are adapted to local conditions and are more likely to survive and support local ecosystems.

Mentorship: The pairing of experienced Champions with newer members to pass on skills and knowledge, creating continuity from year to year.

Nursery: A managed area where tree seedlings are raised from seed until they are strong enough to be planted out.

Orchard: A planting of fruit trees, established at partner schools to provide nutrition, income and a lasting incentive to protect trees.

Reforestation: The replanting of trees in areas where forest cover has been lost, restoring ecological function and biodiversity.

Sapling: A young tree — and an early Champion leadership stage marking growing responsibility within the Green Club.

Seedling: A very young plant grown from seed — and the first Champion leadership stage, where pupils learn the basics of tree care.

Sustainable livelihood: A way of earning a living that meets present needs without degrading the environment or the resources future generations will depend on.

Tree tracking: The practice of logging and monitoring each planted tree against a named Champion so that its survival and growth can be followed over time.