Floresta Tanzania, a conservation organization based in Tanzania, is dedicated to reversing deforestation and combating poverty in rural communities. Each year, members of Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups managed by Floresta Tanzania, who are community members from the rural areas of Same, Mwanga, Rombo, Moshi, Siha, and Hai, plant 1.5 million trees across their communities in the Kilimanjaro region as part of ongoing environmental conservation efforts. But where do all these trees come from is a common question asked by many.
The answer to the question lies in a unique, community driven approach used. Floresta operates on the philosophy that communities can address many of their own challenges when equipped with the right tools, training, and opportunities. To achieve its annual tree planting targets and its mission of reversing deforestation In Tanzania, Floresta Tanzania equips community through the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups, providing comprehensive training in environmental conservation and sustainable practices. These training sessions go beyond teaching tree planting techniques; they nurture a deeper understanding of the importance of environmental stewardship and empower communities to play an active role in conservation. A significant part of Floresta Tanzania’s success lies in its efforts to train communities how to establish and manage tree nurseries. Through practical training sessions, community members learn every step of the process, from harvesting seeds to nurturing seedlings. Participants are shown how to collect seeds from local trees and how to harvest smaller seedlings that naturally sprout under trees after rainy seasons. These practices ensure that the tree planting initiative is rooted in local knowledge and resources, making it both cost effective and sustainable.
To coordinate these efforts, Floresta Tanzania organizes annual seedling harvesting campaigns in January and April. During these campaigns, community members, through their VSLA groups, come together to collect and transplant seedlings into their prepared nurseries. These months are strategically selected to coincide with the rainy season, ensuring optimal conditions for the seedlings’ survival once transplanted. Each VSLA group managed by Floresta Tanzania ultimately establishes a tree nursery with no fewer than 2,000 trees of various types found in the local area, including indigenous species, exotic trees, fruit trees, and other varieties beneficial to the environment. The establishment of nurseries is also encouraged on an individual level, with each member urged to maintain between 50 to 100 tree seedlings at their homes.
The efforts extend beyond the transplanting phase, emphasizing the management of tree nurseries to maintain the health and availability of seedlings. This approach ensures a consistent supply to achieve the annual planting target of 1.5 million trees. Floresta Tanzania currently supports 719 VSLA groups with 17,732 beneficiaries, collectively producing 2.8 million tree seedlings each year. These seedlings are sourced from both VSLA groups and individual member nurseries.
This approach ensures a reliable supply of trees for annual planting while empowering local communities to take an active role in reversing poverty and deforestation. It also equips them to address their challenges and foster sustainable restoration efforts.
By: Brenda Kuringe.
Communications Specialist, Floresta Tanzania