Exclusive Interview with Jane Goodall:

Planting Trees for Chimpanzee Conservation

Diana Chaplin | March 18, 2022 | Photo Credit ©Vincent Calmel

In 2020, One Tree Planted launched our partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute to plant 3 million trees in Uganda as part of a wider conservation effort to restore critical chimpanzee habitat and provide biological corridors for them to safely move between forests.

Dr. Goodall has had an incredible life and career dedicated to chimpanzees, biodiversity and supporting thriving ecosystems, so there’s no one better to provide a valuable perspective on this. We had the incredible honor of sitting down with Dr. Goodall to discuss the reforestation project, and the forests of Africa.

You may have a few key questions about the project and the areas that will be directly affected. Here's more information about the state of chimpanzees in Uganda, the Albertine Rift, and our project in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute to help restore these crucial areas:

Why chimpanzees?

Chimpanzees are endangered in Uganda and their population numbers have been shrinking across their range countries in Africa for decades. As inequity and unsustainable practices have driven human populations to degrade forests through logging, mining and other activities, more and more critical habitat is being lost. As such, protecting chimpanzee habitat through community-led approaches is core to the work of the Jane Goodall Institute, and has been for decades, with big impact.

What is the Albertine Rift?

Uganda's Albertine Rift is globally recognized as a biodiversity hotspot. It ranks first among continental Africa's 119 distinct terrestrial eco-regions for number of endemic species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, and second in terms of globally threatened species. In fact, over 50% of birds, 39% of mammals, 19% of amphibians, and 14% of reptiles and plants of mainland Africa reside in this region. 

What does the project entail?

In partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, we are planting, protecting and restoring a total of 3 million trees. As the trees grow, they'll contribute to carbon sequestration, support vital ecosystem functions, and maintain critical habitat for the highly endangered species that rely on the Albertine Rift for their survival — including endangered chimpanzee populations, through the empowerment of local communities. The trees will be split between reforesting protected areas and creating and maintaining biological corridors between protected areas.

A variety of local tree species will be planted based on the needs of specific sites. These include, among others, Maesopsis eminii, Cordia africana, Milicia excelsa, Mitrigyna stipulosa, Lovoa trichiliodes, Khaya anthotheca (an African Mahogany), and Albizia, Trichilia and Ficus (Fig) species.

We are so honored to be joining Dr. Jane Goodall in not just her mission, but her legacy to protect the habitat of endangered chimpanzees. She has moved and inspired people across the globe to make positive changes and impacts for nature. Please join us in this incredible endeavor and consider planting a tree in Uganda today! 

Uganda
Uganda | One Tree Planted
Uganda | One Tree Planted
Uganda
Uganda | One Tree Planted
Uganda
Uganda | One Tree Planted
Uganda | One Tree Planted
Uganda
Uganda | One Tree Planted

Uganda

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With your help, we will:

  • Uganda has a rapidly growing population, which is putting a great deal of stress on the country's forests by increasing demand for firewood, pushing agricultural expansion, and expanding land settlement. As a result, Uganda now has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. In Northern Uganda, much of the forest has been cleared for charcoal production, degrading wildlife habitat and presenting a hardship for local farmers.
  • Our partners are working with local farmers in Paibona, Northern Uganda to plant trees on their land. These trees will provide the farmers with sustainable food and income by growing fruits, nuts, and medicines. In an area that has experienced extensive clear cutting for charcoal production, planting trees will improve agricultural yields, reduce soil erosion, and improve the health of the soil. It will also protect biodiversity by improving habitat and will provide a jump-off point for several other sustainable agroforestry projects in the area, improving the livelihoods of hundreds of Ugandan farmers.
  • A personalized tree certificate (see gallery) to say thanks for your donation. We’ll also send you reports on our Uganda project, so you can track the impact your trees are having on the community and environment.
  • A variety of trees will be planted based on the needs of specific sites. These include indigenous trees such as the shea (Vitellaria paradoxa), which produces shea butter; Afzelia africana, an endangered hardwood; and several Acacia species. Useful non-indigenous trees include Grevillea robusta, Gmelina arborea, and Leucaena leucocephala, as well as fruit trees like avocado and papaya.

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