Just in from Moshi, Tanzania!

We are now more than a third of the way to reaching our goal! More importantly, Roots & Shoots staff members have been working with Roots & Shoots groups in Tanzania to use the money that we have already raised to build a tree nursery in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro!

Students from Sungu Secondary school, Mweka Primary School and Omi Primary School have helped build this (below) tree nursery. Together, students at the three schools have put 1,351 seeds in the ground. Roots & Shoots members from five surrounding schools will water and take care of the seeds.

 

The seeds planted are of indigenous species that will help reforest the Mount Kilimanjaro ecosystem. Each seed type was carefully selected to avoid introducing non-native species that could be harmful to the wildlife and ecosystem of Mount Kilimanjaro.

 

When the seedlings are large enough to thrive on their own without constant watering and attention, Roots & Shoots members in the area will work with Roots & Shoots staff to find the best location to plant the trees permanently. The trees will benefit the ecosystem of Mount Kilimanjaro by preventing mudslides caused by erosion and absorbing carbon dioxide that contributes to climate change.

 

The Mount Kilimanjaro-area is not only the benefactor of the ReBirth the Earth: Trees for Tomorrow campaign, but it was also the inspiration for the campaign. After 10 Roots & Shoots Youth Leaders spent three days with members of the Sungu Secondary School Roots & Shoots group planting trees in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, they were inspired to take action through tree-planting.

You can take action to! Check out our Get Involved page for more information!

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