The African Blackwood Conservation Project is the only long-term project dedicated to the replanting of the near-threatened species Dalbergia melanoxylon. It is the world's most expensive wood and is used in the manufacture of musical instruments, African carvings and ornamental turning. Although it once grew throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, it is now commercially viable only in southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique. The mission of the ABCP is to restore its population in northern Tanzania.
The numbers of African blackwood trees have been drastically reduced in the past 100 years through overharvesting and habitat loss. It is listed as 'near threatened' on the IUCN Red List, and in 2017 was listed under CITES Appendix II, (may become extinct unless international trade is controlled). Despite this, there continues to be evidence of illegal harvesting and transport and few organizations are replanting it. The ABCP was founded to address this problem before it is too late.
In 1996, the ABCP established a tree nursery south of Moshi, Tanzania where we grow not only mpingo, but trees for land restoration and domestic use. We distribute the seedlings at no charge to schools, community groups, farmers and families. In schools we add an educational component and teach students conservation skills. Some of our students have gone on to establish nurseries and conservation activities in their local communities. Since inception, the ABCP has planted over 3 million trees.
In addition to the many environmental advantages that added tree cover provides, in a country such as Tanzania, having access to trees that provide firewood, food, fodder, construction materials and medicines can greatly decrease a family's economic burdens. Mpingo will be a long-term asset because of its high commercial value. ABCP educational activities will also have long-term efficacy by instilling an awareness of environmental stewardship that will be passed down through future generations.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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