Projects
Growing Forests, Growing Futures: KECA Yoghoi Pentecostal Church & KBTC’s Tree Planting Initiative in the West Usambara Mountains
The West Usambara Mountains of northern Tanzania are a treasure trove of biodiversity, water sources, and fertile soils. These mountains provide life-sustaining resources to thousands of families in Lushoto District and beyond. Yet, year after year, deforestation, land degradation, and unsustainable land use threaten these fragile ecosystems.
At Kibaha Environmental Conservation Action (KECA), together with the Kibaha Beekeeping Training Centre (KBTC), we believe in solutions that restore nature while also empowering people. That is why we are scaling up our efforts to conserve the West Usambara forests through tree planting, agroforestry, and fruit tree distribution—building on a strong track record of success with local communities and faith-based groups.
Since 2017, our partner group in Yoghoi Village has worked with Environmental Conservation Action to plant more than 30,000 trees across schools, churches, protected areas, and community farms. Between 2020 and 2021, we partnered with the Mtae Water Users Association (MWUA) through a Weltweit e. V funded project to plant 12,000 trees at Goka Water Source in Rangwi Ward. This vital spring supplies clean water to entire communities in Mtae Division, and the new trees now protect the catchment within the Shagayu Forest Reserve.
Building on this momentum, the Yoghoi Pentecostal Church nursery, supported by KECA, has since produced 280,000 seedlings—species for water source conservation, agroforestry, and most notably, avocado trees. Avocados are in high demand: they restore soil health, prevent erosion, provide nutrition, and create lasting income for farming families.
Now, with the technical guidance of KECA and the outreach networks of KBTC, we are preparing for the 2025/2026 planting season. Our target is to raise and distribute 200,000 fruit tree seedlings, with a strong emphasis on avocado trees. These will be planted in schools, churches, conserved areas, and community farms across Lushoto District—turning landscapes green again while strengthening local food security.
Why this project matters
- Conservation at scale: Protecting forests, water sources, and biodiversity hotspots in the West Usambara Mountains.
- Food and income security: Avocado trees provide sustainable harvests and new market opportunities for families.
- Community-led action: Schools, churches, and farmers are at the canter of planting and caring for trees.
- Proven experience: From 30,000 trees planted with local partners to managing large-scale nurseries, KECA and KBTC have the credibility and capacity to deliver.
Your support can make the difference. By funding this project, you will help us restore degraded land, protect water catchments, and improve livelihoods—planting hope for generations to come in the West Usambara Mountains.
Together with KECA and KBTC, let’s turn seedlings into forests, and forests into lasting futures.
Photo. 1. Goka forest where MWUA planted trees with the Yoghoi group in 2021
Photo 2 and 3. The current tree nurseries activities with Yoghoi Group
Photo 4 and 5. Group visits and transportation of fruit trees from Yoghoi tree nursery
Photo 6 and 7 group visit and Yoghoi women group activities
Photo 8. Current fruit trees at Yoghoi nursery
