RIYADH: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has launched an initiative to plant more than 3,000 seedlings in its nursery in the Jouf region.

The project supports the authority’s efforts to protect the environment and expand vegetation cover as part of its vision for a greener, more sustainable future, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Volunteers from educational institutions across the region took part in the tree-planting campaign, part of the authority’s involvement in the National Greening Season.

So far, the authority’s environmental initiatives have included planting almost 4 million seedlings and rehabilitating 750,000 hectares of degraded land.

The restoration projects aim to revive ecosystems affected by desertification and overgrazing, helping to restore natural plant life and preserve the Kingdom’s biodiversity.

Meanwhile, the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification continues its planting efforts, with the Jouf region seeing the cultivation of 1 million seedlings for production.

The project includes planting native species suited to the Kingdom’s rangeland environments, valued for their grazing benefits, drought tolerance and adaptability to desert conditions.

The plants also help to stabilize soil, combat desertification, provide habitats for birds and wildlife, absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.