In the summer of 2006, ZANMI SASYE—PARTNERS WITH SASSIER and the Piram Agro-Forestry Cooperative launched a program to improve farming techniques, reduce deforestation, provide watershed protection through terracing and new plantings, and promote fruit and vegetable gardening.
In 2007 and early 2008 more than 7,500 saplings and plants were planted to reforest and arrest soil erosion. In the summer of 2008, more than 70 Sassier participants built new retaining walls, protecting 40 plots covering 3 hectares (7.5 acres), and planted 46 new fruit trees on land adjacent to the school. CPT students are now caring for the orchard. Post-completion evaluation indicates a marked reduction in erosion and an improvement in soil filtration capacity.