We are delighted to share the impact of our Plant a Tree supporters in Tanzania’s Greater Udzungwa-Kilombero landscape. Here, World Land Trust (WLT) partner Reforest Africa has made impressive progress during the first half of 2025 – from upgrading facilities at the Udzungwa Botanic Garden to planting 40,000 trees in the Magombera Nature Forest Reserve.
Strengthening a vital buffer zone
This year began with the purchase of one hectare (2.5 acres) of land next to the Udzungwa Botanic Garden, strategically located next to the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The newly acquired land will serve as a crucial buffer zone for the park and is already extensively used as a corridor by African Savannah Elephants (Loxodonta africana).
Reforest Africa have also hired a local construction company to build an Education and Training Hub at the Udzungwa Botanical Garden. Once complete, this will be used to host training in regenerative agroforestry and field skills, helping to nurture the next generation of environmental stewards.
The newly purchased land provides a buffer next to the existing Udzungwa Botanical Garden. Credit: Reforest Africa
Restoring degraded forest
Thanks to our generous Plant a Tree supporters, Reforest Africa is also making major headway toward their wider goal of restoring 300 hectares (741 acres) of degraded land within the Magombera Nature Forest Reserve. In early 2025, the team collected nearly a tonne (955 kg) of seeds from 12 native tree species, guided by detailed records of the trees’ fruiting cycles in Magombera and the surrounding forests.
With these seeds collected, they began the germination process in their tree nurseries with over 60,000 seedlings raised this year for the restoration of the Magombera Forest Nature Reserve. Many have already been planted, while others will be sown during next year’s wet season.
Tree planting was supported by 21 students from the International School of Zanzibar, who visited Reforest Africa for five days to learn about their restoration practices. Credit: Reforest Africa
Community at the heart of planting
Despite unusually low rainfall in Kilombero – where the peak planting season usually runs from February to May – the team pressed ahead with preparations for tree planting, digging holes and watering previously planted trees to give them the best chance of survival.
On 21 March, International Forest Day, Reforest Africa hosted a community planting event in Magombera Forest with neighbouring villagers from Katurukila. Together, they planted 2,000 seedlings, kicking off a season that would see over 40,000 seedlings planted across 40 hectares (99 acres) of forest. Among the trees planted were African Ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis), East African Mahogany (Khaya anthotheca), and Sycamore Fig (Ficus sycomorus).
Caring for the young forests
By July, the focus shifted to aftercare, weeding, and the creation of protective fire breaks. Together with local community members, Reforest Africa have created a 10-metre-wide strip of bare earth around all planted areas, thereby reducing the risk of fire spreading from nearby sugarcane fields during harvest.
Local community members cut back a 10-metre wide strip of earth around the planted areas, creating an effective firebreak. Credit: Reforest Africa
Strengthening protection teams
Beyond tree planting, Reforest Africa has increased investment in their rangers working to protect Tanzania’s forests. This year, five durable field tents were provided for reserve patrols in the Magombera and Kising’a Lugalo Forest Reserves. These tents will enable extended fieldwork, helping rangers safeguard the forests more effectively. From seeds and saplings to community events and patrol support, these actions are shaping a stronger, more resilient landscape in the heart of Tanzania.
You too can make a difference by supporting reforestation through WLT’s Plant a Tree programme. Every tree planted helps restore extraordinary forest and protect the incredible biodiversity that calls it home.
Hit the button below to donate and Plant a Tree today.
