Tema Vakfi

TEMA Vakfı (The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats) stands as Turkey's preeminent grassroots environmental movement, actively organizing conservation and reforestation initiatives across the country, including the province of Kahramanmaraş. The foundation was established on September 11, 1992, by two prominent Turkish business leaders, Hayrettin Karaca (affectionately remembered as Toprak Dede, or Grandfather Earth) and Ali Nihat Gökyiğit (known as Yaprak Dede, or Grandfather Leaf). Inspired by discussions at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, the founders sought to create an organized, civic response to the severe threats of soil erosion, land degradation, and advancing desertification across Anatolia.

Operating under the enduring banners Türkiye Çöl Olmasın (Don't Let Turkey Become a Desert) and Bu topraklarda umut yeşertiyoruz (We nurture hope in these lands), TEMA has mobilized approximately 1.3 million registered volunteers nationwide. In Kahramanmaraş, this mission translates into active afforestation zones, public advocacy, environmental education drives, and ecological stewardship. Whether engaging through field visits to planted woodlands, participating in local conservation initiatives, or supporting habitat restoration, the organization provides a dedicated platform where citizens connect directly with the preservation of natural assets.

What to See and Do

Visiting and engaging with TEMA Vakfı in Kahramanmaraş connects individuals directly with real-world ecological restoration and active environmental citizenship. A primary focal point is visiting the established afforestation grounds in the region. In the Dulkadiroğlu district, supporters can explore the expansive 18-hectare afforestation site located in Maksutuşağı Mahallesi, where 30,000 saplings were planted in cooperation with Türkiye İş Bankası as part of the nationwide 81 İlde 81 Orman (81 Forests in 81 Provinces) project. Another significant local destination is the afforestation area situated in the Kelibişler locality of Türkoğlu district, illustrating how targeted planting efforts transform vulnerable landscapes into resilient woodlands.

Beyond walking the planted terrains, visitors and community members can take part in comprehensive tree-planting and donation programs. Options include individual sapling gifts (Fidan Bağışı), contributing to larger collective solidarity groves (Dayanışma Ormanı), or commissioning an enduring memorial woodland (Hatıra Ormanı Oluşturma). For those focused on learning and research, the foundation offers access to its dedicated Environmental Library (Çevre Kütüphanesi), which houses specialized publications, ecological research, and erosion-control documentation.

Civic participation offers hands-on involvement through organized volunteering branches. University students and young graduates can join Genç TEMA or Mezun TEMA groups, leading peer workshops, regional awareness campaigns, and charity sports runs. In everyday life, people can replace traditional consumption with purpose-driven products from the foundation's economic enterprise. These offerings include eco-friendly wedding and baby announcement cards, customized event magnets, celebratory Mutlu Gün Panosu display boards, taziye sympathy cards, KAFT designer apparel collaborations, and used paper recycling drives.

The Visit and Who It Suits

The experience of connecting with TEMA Vakfı is designed to be inclusive, educational, and socially enriching, catering to students, schoolchildren, educators, environmentalists, dedicated volunteers, individual donors, and corporate supporters. Unlike a standard leisure park, the foundation offers an empowering atmosphere defined by civic responsibility, scientific conservation, and grassroots solidarity. It appeals strongly to families who want to teach children ecological literacy through real-world examples of habitat regeneration and soil protection.

Youth education remains one of the organization's most impactful pillars. Nationwide, the foundation's structured nature education programs and ecological literacy modules have reached approximately 8 million children across all educational levels. In addition, university students and scholars benefit from dedicated academic assistance through the Turan Demiraslan Scholarship Program (Turan Demiraslan Burs Programı), making TEMA a supportive ally for emerging youth leaders committed to social and environmental progress.

For civic advocates and nature lovers, joining the 1.3 million volunteers across Turkey offers a strong sense of community. The foundation's historical track record provides visitors and members with measurable pride: since 1992, TEMA has planted over 45 million saplings across an area equivalent to roughly 55,000 football pitches and sowed 700 million acorns across 22,000 football pitches. Its nationwide reach ensures that every single one of Turkey's 81 provinces contains at least one donor-established forest. Moreover, the foundation spearheaded the legislative push that led to the official enactment of Turkey's landmark Pasture and Soil conservation laws (Mera ve Toprak yasaları), proving that community involvement yields lasting systemic change.

Location and Visiting Details

In Kahramanmaraş, TEMA Vakfı operates through its local provincial leadership and established rural afforestation sites. The provincial activities are coordinated under the direction of Provincial Representative Abdurrahman Abdulkerim Akbolat. Community members, schools, and prospective volunteers can reach the local Kahramanmaraş representation directly by calling (0344) 216 09 16 or via email at [email protected] for local coordination, event schedules, and school visit arrangements. It is important to note that while the central headquarters of the foundation is situated on Halaskargazi Caddesi in the Şişli district of İstanbul, on-the-ground planting, educational workshops, and local advocacy are managed through the Kahramanmaraş representation. According to internal foundation records, the Kahramanmaraş Provincial Representation was awarded first prize in the Advocacy Activities category.

Those wishing to visit the local forestry projects can travel to the specific rural project sectors within the province. The 18-hectare woodland developed in partnership with Türkiye İş Bankası is situated in the Maksutuşağı Mahallesi within Dulkadiroğlu district, hosting 30,000 thriving trees. A second dedicated afforestation parcel is located around the Kelibişler locality in Türkoğlu district. Visitors planning field trips or group tree-planting activities are encouraged to get in touch with the local representative prior to visiting to confirm trail accessibility and seasonal planting schedules.

Supporting the foundation's ongoing maintenance and planting operations is straightforward and adaptable to all contributors. Ongoing financial contributions can be set up through the monthly regular donation plan (Az Ver Hep Ver), which starts at a minimum of 100 TL, alongside preset monthly tiers of 300 TL, 500 TL, and 700 TL, or custom amounts facilitated via Masterpass and online banking. Contributions can also be made via SMS, direct bank wire transfer (EFT), Maximum TEMA credit cards, memorial wreaths for funerals, and physical donations of clean used paper.

The Mio Angle: As a Discovery Spot

For the Mio community seeking meaningful, purpose-driven destinations and socially conscious recommendations, TEMA Vakfı's presence in Kahramanmaraş provides an inspiring alternative to conventional hangout spots. Recommending a visit to the afforestation grounds in Dulkadiroğlu's Maksutuşağı area or the Türkoğlu Kelibişler site allows users to share authentic stories of landscape restoration and community impact. It serves as an ideal gathering concept for student clubs, volunteer circles, and eco-minded friends looking for constructive weekend outdoor activities that leave a tangible positive legacy.

From a budgeting perspective, TEMA is accessible to everyone. Becoming an active volunteer, attending nature awareness lectures, or joining local field initiatives requires no entrance fees. For those who want to contribute financially, the flexible monthly tier starting at just 100 TL (with 300 TL, 500 TL, and 700 TL brackets) allows university students and young professionals on modest budgets to participate alongside major corporate sponsors. Gifting a sapling certificate or opting for TEMA-designed wedding and birth stationery instead of disposable party favours gives community members an ethical, budget-conscious gift alternative to share and recommend on social feeds.

In terms of visual storytelling and social sharing, the afforestation sites offer wide-open hillside scenery, rows of growing saplings, and vibrant seasonal foliage that look striking in photo updates. Sharing images from volunteer planting days, capturing custom commemorative forest plaques, or showcasing the distinctive Mutlu Gün Panosu boards offers high-engagement, feel-good content on Mio. Recommending TEMA in Kahramanmaraş is about inspiring peers to spend time outdoors while championing the preservation of Turkey's soil and green heritage.