By Alexandra Dawe | Head of Marketing & Communications
The Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot sustains freshwater supply, climate regulation, and soil fertility for tens of millions of people across eastern Africa. These ecosystem services underpin agriculture, livelihoods, and regional stability, which is why every intervention we run here is co-designed with the communities who depend on this land.
Our work spans direct support for women-led households through livestock, fruit trees, and sustainable fuelwood harvesting; cooperatives for honey and other non-timber forest products; stronger local governance to secure access rights and sustainable forest management; and research woven into every stage, so our approach stays evidence-based and scalable.
Thank you for making this work possible. Below are the latest updates from our projects on the ground.
Knowledge sharing for greater impact
At the Synergies for Sustainable Futures conference in May, Habenom Haileselasie Reda of Mekelle University presented research conducted in collaboration with WeForest, examining how forest landscape restoration affects soil water infiltration, surface runoff, and groundwater status in the Desa'a Forest of Northern Ethiopia.
The question at the heart of the study is one that matters to every supporter of this work: does restoration actually improve water security? This research moves that question from intuition to evidence.
WeForest's Aklilu Negussie Mekuria (PhD), Ethiopia Country Director, and Yemane Gebru, Tigray Regional Manager, also attended and presented posters on our restoration approach and impact in the region. We're grateful to our colleagues at Mekelle University and the entire WeForest Ethiopia team for advancing science-backed restoration.
Wof Washa Becomes National Park
The Amhara National Regional State,WeForest, and partner institutions are celebrating the official designation of the ancient Wof-Washa Natural Forest as the region's sixth national park, fulfilling a centuries-old vision of environmental protection.
This transition formally secures the future of one of Africa's oldest state forests, first protected by Emperor Zara Yaqob in the 15th century.
WeForest and regional leaders are committed to transforming Wof-Washa into a "Legacy National Park", honoring the local communities who have guarded this ancient forest for generations, and ensuring they directly benefit from its new global status.
Desa’a New planting season!
Every year, we launch a planting campaign in Desa’a. We are proud to announce that we just launched a new a few weeks ago. The context this season is challenging. A late onset of rains, an extended dry season, and a high probability of El Niño are all things the community needs to manage.
However, what stands out above all is the unwavering commitment of the local community and its leaders. They are intentionally looking past the challenges to plant the seeds of a better world for the next generation. It is a profound act of hope and resilience.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the regional, district, village-level experts, local administration and most importantly for the local community for their invaluable on-the-ground support. To our WeForest supporters, thank you for your continued partnership as we support communities transforming their future from the roots up.
A Family's Journey: The Gewocha Project
Mr. Walle Zegeye, 48, lives in Geray Kebele, Jabi Tehnan Woreda, West Gojjam Zone, with his wife, Mrs. Mulu Anley. Neither had access to formal education or agricultural land, which long limited their livelihood options.
After their marriage, Mrs. Mulu's uncle gave the couple a small plot of land. Through hard work, they slowly improved their living conditions, but income from irregular labour remained thin.
In 2024, that began to change. Mr. Walle joined a WeForest livelihood support project that provided three ewes along with training in livestock management. By early 2025, the sheep had produced six lambs — a meaningful boost to the family's income and food security.
Looking to expand further, Mr. Walle began crop production through sharecropping. But without plough oxen, his farming was limited. To solve this, he sold five lambs for 30,000 ETB and used the proceeds to buy a bull for 28,500 ETB, which he now uses for ploughing — including in a shared arrangement with his neighbour.
Today, Mr. Walle manages three pregnant ewes and one lamb, with plans to keep growing his livestock and his farm. Step by step, he is rebuilding his family's livelihood and working toward a more secure future.
Going forward
From a centuries-old forest gaining formal protection, to new science quantifying restoration's impact on water security, to a family rebuilding its livelihood one lamb at a time, the throughline across all of this work is the same: lasting change happens when communities lead it. Your continued support keeps this momentum going. Thank you for standing with the communities of Ethiopia's Eastern Afromontane landscapes.
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