As 2023 draws to a close, now is the perfect moment to pause, reflect on our journey, gain perspective, appreciate the milestones we've achieved and share our joy and gratitude with you before we welcome the new year!
This past year has undoubtedly been a success for us. We can't help but feel immense pride in our boots-on-the-ground operational team. Their unparalleled knowledge of forestry and bamboo, their understanding of local networks and supply chains, and their exceptional execution abilities have set us up for success. Within just six months of our journey, we planted a 30-hectare pilot site near Kampala, which paved the way for our autumn planting season of 400 hectares and 150,000 bamboo seedlings in northern Uganda.
Simultaneously, we celebrated our 10,000-hectare land restoration and biodiversity enrichment project registration in Verra. But we didn't stop there. We developed our own Biodiversity Management Plan, taking an holistic approach to create a thriving and resilient ecosystem that benefits both nature and the people of Uganda. The plan incorporates the mosaic approach, bee farming, intercropping, fungi farming, flourishing trees and bushes, and soil health measurement, among other initiatives. As part of this plan, we launched the community food garden pilot project, which will provide free food for the project site workers and the local community. In collaboration with Makerere University, we have identified 20 indigenous food crops, including rare species like Malai rose apple and monkey orange for planting. We are beyond excited for the time of the harvest to come.
Amidst our planting activities, we achieved significant financial milestone, securing $1 million USD in equity funding. We also continued raising awareness about the importance of nature-based solutions in achieving net-zero targets and the multitude of co-benefits these projects bring. Our participation in various events, such as the African Climate Summit 2023, Climate Week NYC 2023, and COP28 with eight panel discussions across four pavilions in the Blue Zone, allowed us to engage with various stakeholder groups, make new friends, great partnerships and take our mission forward. COP28 also marked the launch of The Great Green Action, an initiative dedicated to restoring nature and preserving life in Africa. We are proud to be one of the eight projects part of this initiative. We invite you to watch the video showcasing the essence of 1MTN's Land Restoration and Biodiversity Enrichment Project in Nwoya, Uganda, filmed in November.
Throughout the year, we formed valuable partnerships and alliances with organizations like the Uganda Bamboo Organisation, International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation, UAE Carbon Alliance, and ClearBlue Markets. We are immensely grateful for these collaborations.
As we reflect on the past year, it's astounding to comprehend everything we have accomplished with our project, our team, and our new partners and friends. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us, fostering meaningful discussions and driving commitments to action. While we take this moment to pause and welcome the new year, we are filled with excitement for what lies ahead in 2024. Here's to the next chapter—see you in 2024!