Food Forests in the Atlas Mountains 🌱
In the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, local communities that have depended on agriculture for centuries are struggling with the legacy of land degradation due to wheat, barley and grazing, all of which are becoming increasing unviable with the effects of climate change.
This project is planting drought-resilient food forest species to support sustainable farming livelihoods, remove CO2 and rehabilitate the landscape in the High Atlas Mountains.
In partnership with High Atlas Foundation
HAF is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by former Peace Corps Volunteers committed to furthering sustainable development. HAF supports Moroccan communities to take action in implementing human development initiatives.
Location
Deep in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco you will find incredible lakes and valleys, amongst a rich and varied natural landscape that is unlike anywhere else in the world.
The ranges separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert, and many of the people living in the area are part of the indigenous Berber tribes from Morocco and Algeria.
Background
The communities that have lived amongst the Atlas Mountains for centuries, including many First Nations Berbers, depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Over recent decades, the more traditional food forests that covered the landscape were cleared for grazing and the production of wheat, corn and barley.
These activities have degraded the landscape over time, and have become increasingly unviable due to the effects of climate change.
As a result, many communities are now struggling to maintain their livelihoods.
Approach
This vision for this project is to plant millions of trees across an area of 4000 hectares, helping local communities rehabilitate the land and rebuild their cultural connection with food forests.
In degraded regions like this, a critical first step towards rehabilitation is to plant species that can sustain in these conditions. This project plants a combination of species such as:
Carob, Olive, Argan, Walnut, Pomegranate, Almond and Fig, in addition to many other medicinal plants.
These trees will help create the conditions necessary for the original ecology to become viable again.
Environmental Benefits
Tree planting helps to restore the food forests by preventing soil erosion, improving water management and increasing biodiversity. By restoring degraded lands and promoting sustainable land use practices, this project helps to protect natural resources and promote a healthier environment for rural communities.
Planting trees alongside crops can provide shade, windbreaks, and nutrient cycling which leads to improved soil fertility and increased crop yields. This strengthens food security for rural communities and reduces their vulnerability to climate change and other external shocks.
Community
Rural communities are provided with opportunities for economic empowerment by planting trees for commercial purposes (such as fruit or timber trees) that generate sustainable income. This alleviates poverty, reduces dependence on subsistence agriculture and creates new livelihood options.
Local communities and women cooperatives are also engaged in the decision-making process and encouraged to actively participate. There is a specific focus on empowering women - by involving them in all stages of the project from nurseries to tree planting to maintenance. This helps women enhance their skills and knowledge while promoting gender equality in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) What Captain's Pack options benefit which of the 2x projects?
A) Essentials = 1x tree planted in Morocco
Value = 1x tree planted in Morocco & 1x tree planted in Australia
Plus = 2x trees planted in Morocco & 1x tree planted in Australia
Q) Does this initiative offset my trip?
A) This is not a carbon-based initiative and does not offset any element of your trip.
Q) Who is planting the trees?
A) Both Flight Centre and Reforest take tree planting very seriously, and only partner with the best on-the-ground. Our partners need to be local themselves, understanding the ecology of the ecosystems and best approaches for restoring them. They know their local landscapes like the back of their hand and have strong relationships with the community. You can learn more about the specific partner for each project here and here. We’re all about transparency and want you to feel confident that your trees are in good hands.
Q) When will the trees be planted?
A) To ensure your trees survive and thrive, they need to be planted in the right place, in the right way, at the right time of year. Based on climate and rainfall, it’s a different time of year in different regions. So, depending on the location of your project, it could be next week or up to 12 months away.
Q) Will I get notified when my tree is planted?
A) No, however, you can follow the planting journey by visiting our page here. For more information around your project, subscribe to the Reforest newsletters.
Q) How does the 1mil tree target work?
A) Between September 2023 and September 2024, we are aiming to buy 1 million trees collectively across all of our Flight Centre + Reforest Planting for the Planet projects. Due to seasonality, not all trees may be planted within the 12x month period but may fall into the following planting season.
Q) How will we know once we have hit 1mil trees?
A) Each month we will update this page with how we are tracking against target.
Q) Can I visit the trees?
A) We totally understand the desire to visit your trees – we're tree lovers too! However, some of the projects are on private land or in sensitive locations, so we can’t always guarantee public access. But don’t worry, depending on where you are based, and where the projects are located, you may be able to take part in a community planting day (at your own cost).
To find out more about community planting days that you and your customers can attend, sign up to the Reforest newsletter.
Q) How do I know that my trees are actually planted and protected?
A) Rest assured, we take the responsibility of planting and protecting the trees very seriously. Our partner, Reforest, has a strict integrity and verification process with each of the planting partners on the ground. This includes regular updates and reports with geo-tagged photos and videos showing the progress of the trees (we like to think of them as the tree's baby pictures, showing how they are growing up!). We're all about transparency and you can see these photos and receive updates on the projects by subscribing to the Reforest newsletter.
Q) What happens if a fire or other event destroys my trees?
A) Fire is a tough challenge for any reforestation project, but it’s not a reason to give up on planting trees. These projects are run by local experts who take steps to minimize fire risk, such as over-planting and selecting species that are fire and climate resilient. While we can’t guarantee that nothing will ever happen, we work hard to spread the risk across a diverse portfolio of projects and plan ahead of potential risks
Terms & Conditions
Captain’s Pack can be purchased in-store or over-the-phone:
For Captain’s Pack purchased in-store or over-the-phone, your Captain's Pack must be booked and paid for in full at the time of paying your initial deposit for your Captain’s Pack fare. Captain's Pack cannot be added to a fare or upgraded to another Captain’s Pack after you have paid your deposit or once your fare has been ticketed. Please contact your Travel Expert for any Captain’s Pack Price Drop Protection enquiries or claims on Captain’s Pack purchased in-store or over-the-phone.
The Terms and Conditions set out on this webpage apply to all in-store and over-the-phone purchases of Captain’s Pack. This offer is not available from or able to be booked by Flight Centre Independent travel consultants as they operate independent businesses.
1. Waive Flight Centre’s Change Fees
If you purchase a Captain’s Pack Essentials, Value or Plus offer, we will waive Flight Centre’s change fee up to $75 per booking* which can redeemed once.
Supplier fees may apply.
2. Waive Flight Centre’s Cancellation Fees
If you purchase a Captain’s Pack Value or Plus offer, we will wave Flight Centre’s cancellation fee up to $300*pp which can be redeemed once.
Our change and cancellation fees
Subject to your refund and remedy rights under the Australian Consumer Law, the following change and cancellation fees apply to all standard bookings (including online bookings and bookings made with a consultant) without any form of Captain’s Pack:
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Changes to Domestic/Trans-Tasman bookings will incur a fee of $30 per booking in addition to travel service provider fees.
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Changes to International bookings (excluding Trans-Tasman bookings) will incur a fee of $75 per booking in addition to travel service provider fees.
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Cancellations of Domestic/Trans-Tasman bookings will incur a fee of $50 per person (capped at $100 per booking) in addition to travel service provider fees.
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Cancellations of International bookings (excluding Trans-Tasman bookings) will incur a fee of $300 per person (capped at $600 per booking) in addition to travel service provider fees.
Supplier change and cancellation fees
Irrespective of whether you have purchased a Captain’s Pack, cancelled bookings may also incur supplier fees, which can be up to 100% of the cost of the booking, regardless of whether travel has commenced. Supplier fees may also apply where a booking is changed and when tickets or documents are re-issued. Where we incur any liability for a supplier fee for any booking which you change or cancel, you agree to indemnify us for the amount of that fee. Where you seek a refund for a cancelled booking for which payment has been made to the supplier, we will not provide a refund to you until we receive the funds from that supplier.
3. Price Drop Protection™
Price Drop Protection only applies to airfares (not accommodation, other travel or to holiday packages) purchased in conjunction with:
A) Captain’s Value (up to $50pp) - it may only be claimed once.
B) Captain’s Plus (up to the difference) - it may only be claimed once.
Price Drop Protection only applies to genuine fares from airlines and from Flight Centre & www.flightcentre.com (but excludes Flight Centre's associated brands and entities BYOjet.com & AuntBetty.com), for travel that originates/departs from Australia. Fare must be in writing and presented to us on the same day as it was advertised. Fare must be for the same form of payment and must be available, able to be booked by the general public when you bring it to us and be for the same dates, airline, number of passengers, booking classes and flight numbers. The written fare must show the date it was advertised and the final price including all applicable fees and charges (including booking/service fees and all charges for the form of payment chosen). Fares available due to membership of a group or corporate entity or subscription to a closed group or fares discounted due to a government subsidy or scheme are excluded. Should the fare be less than your original Captain’s Value Pack fare we will issue a Flight Centre voucher to you for up to $50pp or should the fare be less than your original Captain’s Plus we will issue a Flight Centre Voucher for the value of the difference. Price Drop Protection only applies to your domestic flight within Australia or your international flight departing Australia. Your Flight Centre voucher will be valid for 12x months from the date of issue. If you wish to make a claim for Price Drop Protection prior to full payment for your fare, you must pay for your fare in full at the time of making your Price Drop Protection claim.
If you cancel the original Captain's Pack purchased and submit the airfare for a refund (if applicable) and your Price Drop Protection voucher has not been redeemed, the voucher will be voided, and you will be refunded the full value of the original airfare purchased less the applicable airline cancellation fees. If your Price Drop Protection voucher has been redeemed, the value of the voucher will be deducted from the refund due on the original airfare in addition to the airline’s cancellation fee.
If you cancel the original Captain’s Pack and the airline has provided you a credit for the airfare, the value of your Captain’s Pack will be held in credit.
For Captain's Packs held in credit, any future Price Drop Protection claims will be assessed based on the value of the flights at the time of rebooking, not the original value of the cancelled fare. The new value to be assessed against will be cited on your invoice at the time of re-booking. Should the price of your Captain’s Pack Value or Plus fare fall below your purchase price, prior to your departure date, we will give you either up to $50pp on the Value Pack or the difference on the Plus Pack by issuing a Flight Centre voucher.
Flight Centre Travel Group Limited (ABN 25 003 377 188) trading as Flight Centre. ATAS Accreditation No. A10412.
Price Drop Protection - Why book anywhere else?
When it comes to cheap flights, we are so sure we will not be beaten on price that if you find an advertised available airfare from an airline or from Flight Centre for less than your original Captain’s Pack fare we will issue a Flight Centre voucher to you for either up to $50pp on the Value Pack or the difference on the Plus, in price.
How can I make a claim for Price Drop Protection?
Step 1: Bring us an advertised fare prior to your departure date
Your fare must be in writing and must relate to standard airfares available to the general public. Your genuine advertised fare must be presented to us on the same day as it was advertised and 30 days from the date of payment in full of your original Captain’s Pack Fare booking and prior to departure. Travel must originate/depart from Australia. Price Drop Protection only applies to airfares (not accommodation, other travel or to holiday packages) purchased in conjunction with a Captain’s Pack, and may only be claimed once. The fare must show the date it was advertised and show the final price including all fees and charges (including booking/service fees and all charges for the form of payment chosen). If your fare is from a website, it must show the final price payable at the final payment stage and must show all applicable fees and charges. Fare must be for the same form of payment as you have paid or will pay Flight Centre (e.g. cash, credit card). If you wish to make a claim for Price Drop Protection prior to full payment for your fare, you must pay for your fare in full at the time of making your Price Drop Protection claim.
Contacting us:
* For Price Drop Protection enquiries or claims on Captain’s Packs purchased in-store or over-the-phone - please contact your travel consultant who made your booking You can provide genuine advertised airfares from:
1. Flight Centre & www.flightcentre.com.au (but excludes Flight Centre's associated brands & entities BYOjet.com & AuntBetty.com); and
2. Airline's own fares/websites.
Step 2: Confirmation that the fare is genuine and available
We will then need to confirm that the fare is genuine, available and able to be booked by the general public when you present it to us. If it is, we will give you either up to $50pp on the Value Pack or the difference on the Plus Pack back by providing you with a Flight Centre voucher. Your Flight Centre voucher will be valid for 12x months from the date of issue.
If we reasonably believe your written fare contains an error in the pricing of the fare, or that the pricing, fare or booking class offered is no longer available to book on the same date, airline and flight number, for the same number of passengers, we may decline to provide you with the voucher for the difference in price.
4. Price Drop Protection Voucher
Limit of one voucher per booking. The voucher must be presented to a Flight Centre consultant at the time of booking to redeem this credit. The voucher is valid on new bookings only. Your Flight Centre voucher will be valid for 12x months from the date of issue. The voucher may be redeemed in whole or part during the validity period. Where used in part, no change will be given; only the remaining balance left on the voucher. Any unused balance may be used against future purchases, but will not be refunded or credited when the voucher expires. The voucher cannot be redeemed for cash, traveller’s cheques, cash passports or any other form of currency nor used in conjunction with any other offer. Normal booking conditions apply. The voucher must be used in-store or over-the-phone and cannot be used for online purchases. Flight Centre reserves the right to deem the voucher void if it has reasonable grounds to believe that it has been tampered with or copied.
5. Lost Baggage
All Captain’s Packs have this feature which is a Lost Baggage Service operated by Blue Ribbon Bags (BRB). This applies to checked bags only. If your bag does not arrive at your destination when you do and is not at that original destination airport within 96 hours of the arrival of your flight, you will receive compensation of $500 (per bag) if you have a Captain’s Pack Essentials $750 (per bag) if you have a Captain’s Pack Value or $1000 (per bag) if you have a Captain’s Pack Plus. There is a limit of 2 bags per cashback claim.
After reporting your missing bag to the airline, you must also report your missing bag to BRB within 24 hours of that flight landing and include the unique identifier for their airline lost luggage claim (often called a file locator, reference or tracking number. To file a new Mishandled Baggage Report use call 1 917-920-9699 (toll free), or online at https://flightcentre.blueribbonbags.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. BRB will track and attempt to expedite the return of your missing bag for you and keep you informed of any progress. The Lost Baggage Service works alongside any travel insurance you might have. All Blue Ribbon Bags services are subject to their Service Agreement detailed here.
6. Bonus Discount on Travel Insurance
Purchase a Cover-More policy with a Captain’s Pack and we will give you a 5% discount on a Value Pack or 10% discount on a Plus Pack off the cost of the policy. Flight Centre is an Authorized Representative of Cover-More Insurance Services Pty Ltd (ABN 95 003 114 145, AFSL 241713) who administers insurance on behalf of the underwriter Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507). Refer to Flight Centre’s Booking Terms & Conditions regarding Travel Insurance.
7. Family Bonus
Captain’s Packs with this feature receive a Family Bonus - when any adult purchases a Captain’s Plus Pack, all children (Under 12 years at the time of travel) will also each individually receive the benefits of the Captain’s Plus Pack, excluding Planting for the Planet.
8. Planting for the Planet
We have partnered with Reforest Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 89 629 970 467) to assist in tree planting projects in Morocco and Australia. Visit www.flightcentre.com.au/p/captains-pack for full project details. If you have a Captain’s Pack Essentials we will pay for one tree to be planted in Morocco, if you have a Captain’s Pack Value we will pay for one tree to be planted in Morocco and one tree to be planted in Australia and if you have a Captain’s Pack Plus we will pay for 2 trees to be planted in Morocco and 1 tree in Australia.
9. Travel Money Oz Card bonus offer
No structuring of loads. Captain’s Pack Value: receive a bonus $25* in AUD, or foreign currency equivalent when you load a minimum of $700 AUD or equivalent. Once off offer. Captain’s Pack Plus: receive a bonus of $50 in AUD, or foreign currency equivalent when you load a minimum of $1200 AUD or equivalent. Once off offer. Captain’s Pack customers can load their Currency Pass and receive bonus value either in store with Flight Centre, or via the Travel Money Oz website https://www.travelmoneyoz.com/p/captains-pack, customers who load via the Travel Money Oz website will receive the bonus value amount automatically loaded to their Currency Pass card within 7x days. Mastercard Prepaid Management Services Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 47 145 452 044, AFSL 386 837) arranges for the issue of the Currency Pass in conjunction with the issuer, Heritage and People’s Choice Limited trading as Heritage Bank (ABN 11 087 651 125, AFSL 244310). You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement for the relevant product available at Travel Money Oz's website and the Target Market Determination available at https://www.heritage.com.au/terms-conditions/target-market-determinations before deciding to acquire the product. Any advice does not take into account your personal needs, financial circumstances or objectives and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Mastercard® is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
Flight Centre's booking terms and conditions
Flight Centre’s usual Booking Terms & Conditions will also apply to your booking. These are available here.
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*Travel restrictions & conditions apply. Review any specific conditions stated and our general terms at Terms and Conditions. Prices & taxes are correct as at the date of publication & are subject to availability and change without notice. Prices quoted are on sale until the dates specified unless otherwise stated or sold out prior. Prices are per person.