By Audrey Reisdorffer | Senior Communications Manager
Dear friend,
The Miombo woodlands are Africa’s lifeline, providing water, fuel, food, and income to millions. Yet farming, charcoal production, and climate change are threatening these vital forests. Thanks to your support, WeForest is supporting communities to bring forests back to life while reducing dependence to charcoal production, improving livelihoods and inspiring local leadership.
In Zambia’s Copperbelt, Community Forest Rangers have covered more than 950 km in just four months, monitoring farmers’ woodlots and ensuring restoration efforts succeed. Women are taking the lead in fruit tree grafting and nursery management, increasing access to nutritious foods and creating new income opportunities. Smallholder farmers are embracing beekeeping by installing Kenya top-bar hives in trees within small woodlands near their farms, attracting wild bee colonies to diversify their income while protecting restored woodlots.
At Katanino Forest Reserve, over six million trees now grow across 5,600 hectares. Forest cover has increased by 57%, and 800 beehives support more than 600 households. In just one season, farmers harvested nearly 60 kg of honey from the first 1,000 hives placed in restored plots. This year, this community-driven restoration project has also been officially verified by Preferred by Nature, highlighting its measurable impacts on both the environment and local livelihoods.
In the Mafinga Hills, Mukungule and Mount Mulanje, communities are regenerating fragile ecosystems while adopting sustainable livelihoods. In July 2025, the sacred Mount Mulanje in southern Malawi was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site which highlights the critical importance of this important biodiversity area, and the work we do.
A highlight of this year has been the growing use of community radio to promote sustainable agriculture and drive positive behavioral change. Through partnerships with local stations such as Radio Mpongwe, Radio Chimwemwe, M.B.A Radio, Roan FM, and Rooster FM, we are now broadcasting weekly programmes on forest protection and sustainable farming practices. Each broadcast reaches around 10,000 farmers, sparking conversations in households and community gatherings about why forests matter and how to manage land differently.
Your generosity makes this possible. Every forest, every hive, and every broadcast is thanks to you.
With gratitude,
The WeForest Team
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