Conserving 250,000 Acres of Tanzanian Rainforest

Summary

This project is conserving and restoring Tanzania's Eastern Arc rainforests - among the oldest and most biodiverse in the world - through grassroots conservation and community development projects.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The coastal and mountain rainforests of Tanzania are under immense pressure: only 30 percent of the ancient trees are still standing largely due to clearing for farming and logging. This deforestation in turn fuels climate change, depletes drinking water supplies, and destroys critical habitat. These forests are home to 114 vertebrate species found nowhere else on Earth, as well as 1,500 unique plant species - many of them medicinal herbs. Over 1.5 million people call these mountains home.

How will this project solve this problem?

This project supports grassroots conservation and development projects in 146 villages that are working to protect 250,000 acres of forest. Core project activities include: environmental education (currently in 200 schools), tree planting (10 million trees planted and counting), and the introduction of fuel-efficient cook stoves (which use 50% less fuel wood than traditional ones).

Potential Long Term Impact

This project is contributing to the conservation and restoration of one of the oldest and most biodiverse forests in the world, allowing local people to live in harmony with their environment and preserve their natural heritage for many generations.

Project Message

If we lose our forests they will never return. By working hand in hand with local communities we have found a way to keep these forests standing and to enhance the lives of the local communities.
- Charles Meshack, Executive Director, TFCG