Floresta Tanzania, a leading conservation organization In Tanzania, launched a tree planting campaign on November 25, 2024, at Irukony water source in Ivaeny village, Siha District. A total of 5,985 trees were planted as part of the campaign, which aims to protect and preserve critical water sources in the region.
The event was officially opened by Dr. Christopher David Timbuka, the District Commissioner of Siha, alongside Mr. Robert Faida, the Manager of West Kilimanjaro Forest, and the Ward Councilor of Ivaeny village. Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) groups, managed by Floresta Tanzania, played a significant role in the tree planting efforts.
This campaign marks the start of Floresta Tanzania’s second annual tree planting season, which runs from November. The organization’s goal is to plant 500,000 trees across six districts in the Kilimanjaro Region: Siha, Hai, Moshi, Rombo, Mwanga, and Same.
Each year, Floresta Tanzania, through the VSLA groups it manages, plants 1.5 million trees across the Kilimanjaro Region. The organization conducts two annual tree planting campaigns: the first begins in April, and the second in November. These campaigns are carefully scheduled to align with the rainy seasons, maximizing the survival rates of the planted trees.
The organization also works closely with the government to select planting areas, carry out the campaigns, and ensure that the trees are protected. This collaboration not only aligns activities with national conservation goals but also raises awareness of environmental efforts.
The campaign is part of Floresta Tanzania’s broader mission to protect natural resources and strengthen ecosystems in the Kilimanjaro Region. It highlights the importance of community led conservation efforts and sets an example for sustainable environmental practices.