Planting Trees to grow a Greener Future
Trees are one of nature's most powerful tools. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, cool our environment, protect precious water sources and create habitats for countless species. At Greenmanjaro, tree planting and reforestation are at the heart of our work to build a greener, more climate-resilient Kilimanjaro. Every tree planted helps to combat climate change, our communities and the generations to come.
"When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and hope. We also secure the future for our children."- Wangari Maathai.
Planting Trees to grow a Greener Future
Through our local volunteers and partners, FTK, we educate and facilitate how to grow trees in a sustainable and planet-friendly way:
- Organise and provide infrastructure, tools and training with local agricultural and nursery tree experts
- Maintain a tree nursery in Rau Forest, nurturing over 45,000 tree seedlings per year.
- Enable children to learn to plant and nurture a mix of shade and fruit tree seedlings in school grounds and communities.
- Motivate and encourage all student tree planters to become successful by rewarding the Green Fingers of the year award in schools.
Lower Moshi
In Lower Moshi, living conditions are harsh. Deforestation has left sandy plains and a lack of shade, with few crops for food or income. It is a daily struggle for families to find sufficient food.
Due to the relentless, scorching sun and lack of shade, children often cannot play outside during school breaks. To counteract these problems, we facilitate the planting of fruit and shade trees in primary and secondary schools in Londoto, Kiruani, Mawala and Miwaleni. The shade the trees provide allows kids to play outside, vital for their physical and mental development. The harvest from the mango, papaya, and guava trees in their school veggie gardens enriches their lunches.
To date, Greenmanjaro has funded the planting of thousands of trees for Kiruani, Kiyngi, Londoto, Mawala, Mikocheni and Miwaleni, offering the villagers the prospect of an improved income and living conditions.
Support us to plant more trees around more schools and villages in Lower Moshi. (Add Donate link)
Trees to combat Climate Change
'Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven't done a thing. You are just talking." – Wangari Maathai.
Greener, Cooler Schools
Our tree-planting programme brings nature directly into school grounds and local communities. Trees provide much-needed shade for children, creating cooler, healthier places to learn, play, and gather. Wherever possible, we also plant fruit trees, providing schools with a future source of fresh fruit while teaching children how trees can directly contribute to healthier and more sustainable communities.
Protecting the Soil and Our Rivers
The benefits of trees extend deep beneath the ground. Their roots bind and strengthen the soil, helping to prevent erosion, improve soil structure and retain valuable nutrients and moisture. Along riverbanks, trees play an especially important role by stabilising the land and reducing the amount of soil washed away during heavy rainfall. Healthy riverbanks protect waterways, farmland and surrounding communities while supporting biodiversity and improving the wider ecosystem.
Rau Forest
Rau Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site located about 3 km from Moshi Town in Kilimanjaro. The reserve is on the gentle south-facing alluvial base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, at an altitude of between 730 and 765 m. Its extraordinary, irreplaceable natural ecosystem means that it is vital to preserve and restore Rau Forest and safeguard the native tree species that belong here.
The Rau Forest Tree Nursery is the foundation of our tree-planting programme. Deforestation, human pressure and environmental change threaten indigenous species and the biodiversity that depends upon them. Through reforestation and careful nurturing of native trees, we are helping ensure these species do not disappear from the landscape.
Each year, our volunteer team motivates children to plant and nurture more than 45,000 tree seedlings, caring for them from their earliest stages until they are strong enough to be planted in forests, schools, communities and other areas where they are most needed.
The nursery enables us to grow trees locally, select species suited to their environment and give young seedlings the best possible chance of survival.
