Help 5 communities restore forests in Mozambique

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the Government of Mozambique declaring a state of emergency and this will stay in place at least until the end of June. We have had to adapt our field activities but we have not stopped work.

As the project draws to a close, we have turned our attention to planning for the future. Having completed the initial phase of planting in the five communities, we recently did a ‘health check’ on the status of the tree seedlings. Our field officer visited all of the communities and went with community members to see a selection of the planted seedlings. We were delighted to learn that almost all of the trees are now well established.

Talking with community members, it was clear that while most people understand the need for conserving the forest, their real focus is on the multiple resources that the forest provides. This includes food, medicine, fire wood, and building materials. It is not surprising, therefore, that people prefer to plant trees that have clear benefits for local people.

In the final phase of the project, therefore, we are preparing a central nursery that will prioritize a small number (7) of the native species that are most valued by local people whilst also being key species in the forest. We have purchased 2,800 additional seedlings to ensure that we can have a further phase of planting out when it is the ideal time, probably in late October. Meanwhile, we have collected seed from the forest and we will endeavour to develop a further stock of seedlings for next year and beyond.

If all goes well, the modest operational costs of the nursery – the Nursery Manager and Assistant – can be covered by selling seedlings to private farmers and also to other development projects.