In the 110 degree Fahrenheit dry heat of Marrakesh in Mid August, I visited the High Atlas Foundation (HAF) tree nursery and one of their planting sites outside of the city. I was very thankful for the shade of the trees, most of which had only  been planted only a few years before, which made my time under the midday sun tolerable. I had made the journey from  Cambridge MA to meet with the High Atlas Foundation to learn more about the infrastructure and programs they’ve  built after working for many years in the reforestation of rural sites across Morocco. 

As a student in the Doctor of  Design program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, I came with a focus in landscape architecture and ecological  restoration, specifically researching how new biodegradable materials and digital fabrication tools can help aid in the  revegetation of arid sites. Yossef Ben-Meir, HAF President and Mariam Ait Hfid, HAF Program Coordinator, were very generous to host me and show me the process of how different  plant species are propagated and planted with support from the local community and the High Atlas’s education and outreach initiatives.  

My research focuses more specifically on how to help adapt tree seedlings to the uncertainty and harsh conditions of  locations experiencing soil degradation and water scarcity as a result of desertification. It was invaluable being able to  learn firsthand about the tools and techniques being used to address the unique challenges of working in this region.