Project Update: Forest Conservation Project, Ethiopia
We recently received a final project report from our in-country partner, Sustainable Natural Resource Management Association (SUNARMA).
We are very pleased to report that the Forest Conservation Project in the Wof Washa Forest, Ethiopia has been a great success.
The Wof Washa Forest is Ethiopia’s oldest state forest. It is in North Shoa Zone of Amhara Regional State, and is currently at 8,200 ha, having shrunk from 9,200 ha since 1994. The forest is under pressure from locals expanding their agricultural area and felling old trees for local and even commercial use.
The main aim of the Wof Washa project is to demonstrate sustainable land use practice whilst encouraging sustainable livelihoods.
This is achieved by establishing demonstration and community nurseries, training nursery staff and local farmers to work within a framework of production and planting seedlings into the surrounding forest, thereby reducing soil erosion and providing farmers with a sustainable commodity they can then sell for a variety of purposes.
In the final twelve month reporting period of this project, SUNARMA achieved the following:
Creation of four new Forest User Groups and strengthening of four of the existing groups existing groups.
Hands-on training on technical skill development, nursery establishment and seedling production provided to 200 group members.
Training on natural resources management provided to 151 group members.
Experience exchange visit were organised for 17 group members and technical staff. The visit was on forest management and implementation of Participatory Forest Management in other regions.
Producing tree seedlings for 2 demonstrations nurseries and 15 group nurseries (established 2011).
Established 50 new group nurseries in 2012.
Purchased of 111kg tree seeds and a number of tools (13 shovel, 13 digging hoe,13 roll nylon string, 40 watering can, 3 hand cart) to nurseries in the project area.
Planted out (73,300 indigenous and 345,700 multipurpose/exotic tree seedlings) were out planted on different land use types by the forest users.
In many instances this project has not only met it’s stated aims but also far surpassed them.
For example the project established 52 seed nurseries instead of the target of 6 and planted out over 300,000 more tree seedlings than predicted.
ITF are delighted to have been involved with this project during such a crucial and exciting stage and we look forward to watching how the project continues to grow and develop in future.
Donate Today
Support communities on the front lines of the climate crisis to plant trees, restore ecosystems and improve their livelihoods.