At the College of African Wildlife Management (Mweka), ABCP expanded its outreach by distributing and planting indigenous tree species that are especially suited to high elevations and forest margins around Mount Kilimanjaro. The college, located on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, provided an ideal setting to promote ecological restoration in cultivation zones and along degraded forest boundaries. ABCP supplied native seedlings—including mpingo where conditions allowed, as well as other high-altitude species adapted to cooler, wetter climates—to students and faculty for planting around the campus and in designated plots. This initiative supported both the college’s training in wildlife and natural resource management and ABCP’s broader mission of restoring ecosystems through indigenous tree planting.
What set this event apart was its combination of tree planting with youth mobilization and education. ABCP used the opportunity to formally launch a new Youth Environmental Club at Mweka College, giving students an organized platform to engage in conservation activities. The club was established to coordinate campus-wide environmental initiatives, monitor the growth of newly planted trees, and carry out awareness campaigns within the student body and surrounding communities. This formal structure ensures continuity: as new cohorts of students join the college, they can participate in the club’s activities and carry forward the mission of environmental stewardship. By linking reforestation with a youth-driven institution, ABCP created a multiplier effect that extends far beyond one planting event.
In addition to distributing seedlings and opening the club, ABCP conducted a comprehensive environmental education session tailored for future wildlife managers. Students were given insights into the ecological roles of indigenous trees, the importance of watershed protection on Kilimanjaro, and the links between deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. They were also taught practical conservation skills such as seedling care, soil preparation, and monitoring techniques. This training connected theoretical classroom learning with hands-on conservation practice, reinforcing the college’s mission of producing skilled wildlife and natural resource managers. By combining reforestation, club formation, and education, the event at Mweka College not only contributed to restoring Kilimanjaro’s ecological balance but also invested in building the capacity of Tanzania’s future conservation leaders.
