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Rwanda’s forests support a wealth of biodiversity and natural resources. The Gishwati-Mukura forests of Rwanda once spanned 253,000 hectares, covering the land with over 60 species of trees and providing habitat to chimpanzees. Due to illegal mining and the resettlement of households after the genocide in 1994, overgrazing and tree cutting reduced the forests to a mere 3,558 ha. Smallholder farmers feel the impacts of that degradation and understand the importance of landscape restoration for water, energy and food security. This project will help a women’s cooperative, led by local farmer Agnes Uwifashije, to revive land in Mukura.
For this project, our amazing partners at ARCOS (Albertine Rift Conservation Society) will mentor and build the skills of 2,000 farmers to restore land while improving community livelihoods. Planting trees will help add nutrients to soil while controlling run-off and erosion. When properly managed, these trees will provide the local farmers with firewood, climbing bean poles, and fodder for their animals. For food security and income generation, farmers will plant avocado, lemon, and tree tomatoes.
A personalized tree certificate to say thanks for your donation. We’ll also send you updates on our Rwanda project, so you can track the impact your trees are having on the community and environment.
This community-led initiative will plant a variety of trees including Grevillea, calliandra, Markhamia, Ficus, Erythrina, and Myriantus. Farmers will also plant Avocado, Lemon, and Tree tomatoes for food security and income generation.
Deforestation in Rwanda has been driven by the need for food, medicine, charcoal, and timber. The loss of tree cover in a rainy, mountainous country has had severe environmental consequences. In addition to tremendous loss of biodiversity, the region experiences soil degradation, erosion, and landslides.
Agnes Uwifashije, a farmer and leader of a women’s cooperative in Mukura, feels the impact of degraded lands through reduced harvests, income, and food. She and her neighbors want to revive the fertility of the soil in a degraded area surrounded by the Gishwati-Mukura Forests, the newest reserve officially gazetted in 2016. Plant trees here and help this community-led project come to fruition.
This project will provide mentorship to local farmers through their women's cooperative, helping them revive their land and improve their quality of life.
By planting both native trees and fruit trees, local farmers can rehabilitate their land while creating a sustainable source of food & income.
The Gishwati-Mukura forests are home to rare species including the mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, and colobus monkey. Help keep their home healthy!
