As the Salih Tatlici foundation, we have donated saplings to the memorial forests of TEMA (the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, Reforestation, and the Protection of Natural Habitats) in various regions of our country to support our forested areas, which are essential for the future. In recognition of this donation, the TEMA Foundation has awarded a certificate to the Salih Tatlıcı Foundation.
We Will Continue to Donate Saplings to Expand Our Forested Areas
Regarding the donation, Uğur Tatlıcı, Executive Board member of our Foundation, stated: “Soil is our shared home; it is the direct or indirect source of 95% of our food and the foundation of resilience for our habitats. As the second-largest carbon sink after the oceans, soil plays a crucial role in combating the climate crisis. If we have soil, we have forests, agriculture, pastures, and livestock. To live in a clean world and prevent erosion, we must not only protect and enhance our existing forests but also seize every opportunity to plant more trees and encourage afforestation efforts. Preserving nature should be our primary goal to ensure that future generations inherit a healthy environment with clean air, water, and soil. As a foundation, we are pleased to have planted saplings in memory of our loved ones in various memorial forests established by the TEMA Foundation, which has been carrying out significant work for many years to combat erosion and desertification while promoting the conservation of natural resources and afforestation. We will always continue to fulfill our responsibility to protect nature and the environment.”
Our Leading Organization in Combating Erosion and Desertification: TEMA Foundation
Commonly known to the public as TEMA, the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, Reforestation, and the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA Foundation) was established on September 11, 1992, by businessmen Hayrettin Karaca and A. Nihat Koçyiğit with the slogan “Let Turkey Not Become a Desert.” Due to their pioneering initiatives in this field, they gained widespread support from nature enthusiasts, and they became affectionately known to the public as “Toprak Dede” (Grandfather Soil) and “Yaprak Dede” (Grandfather Leaf). As the foundation’s honorary founding presidents, Karaca and Koçyiğit took significant steps to prevent desertification in Turkey. Operating as a scientifically driven, volunteer-based, and internationally recognized civil society organization, TEMA Foundation is committed to the protection of all natural resources, particularly soil, in line with the principle of sustainable living. The foundation plays a vital role in shaping both national and global environmental policies, engaging with the public, and fostering social awareness of environmental issues.
TEMA actively conducts reforestation efforts across all cities in Turkey to establish new forested areas. Additionally, it organizes educational programs to enhance environmental awareness, implements social responsibility projects aimed at rural development and environmental policymaking, and collaborates with leading global organizations, including the United Nations and prominent environmental protection institutions. Due to its extensive efforts in these fields, TEMA has been recognized with numerous international awards, reinforcing its status as a pioneering institution in the fight against erosion and desertification.
