- P.O. Box 249 Lushoto, Tanga, Tanzania
- +255 718033646
- info@changamotoyouth.org
Tanzania is a land of extraordinary forests. From the misty canopy of the Usambara Mountains to the mangrove-lined shores of Tanga’s Indian Ocean coast, these ecosystems are the lifeblood of Tanzania’s climate, biodiversity, and water security.
But Tanzania’s forests are disappearing. Deforestation rates remain high as pressure from agriculture, charcoal production, and urban expansion continues. The consequences are already visible: rivers that run dry, soils that erode, rainfall that has become unpredictable, and communities that struggle to farm the way their grandparents did.
C.Y.D.O’s tree planting programs in Tanzania are part of the solution. Through community-led reforestation, school greening, mangrove restoration, and watershed protection, we are bringing Tanzania’s forests back – one tree at a time.
The Pangani River is one of Tanzania’s most important waterways, providing water for agriculture, communities, and industry across Kilimanjaro, Arusha, and Tanga regions. But decades of deforestation in the river’s upper catchment have reduced water flow, increased erosion, and threatened the livelihoods of millions who depend on it.
C.Y.D.O.’s Pangani River Basin Restoration project is planting 500,000+ native trees along degraded riverbanks, on watershed hillsides, and in riparian zones throughout the basin. Every tree planted protects the river, reduces soil erosion, and contributes to water security for downstream communities.
Shagayu Forest Reserve in the Usambara Mountains is one of Tanzania’s most biodiverse remaining forest fragments – home to rare birds, endemic plants, and crucial water catchments for Lushoto District. It is also under pressure from encroachment and past degradation.
C.Y.D.O.’s Shagayu Forest Reserve Revival project is restoring biodiversity through the planting of 50,000+ indigenous tree species native to the Usambara ecosystem. Our teams work alongside community forest guards and the Tanzania Forest Service to ensure every tree survives and the restored forest is protected for generations to come.
Tanzania’s mangrove forests are among the most productive and carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth. They protect coastlines from erosion and storms, provide habitat for juvenile fish that support coastal fisheries, and store up to four times more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests.
C.Y.D.O.’s Tanga Coastal Ecosystem Restoration Project plants mangroves along degraded sections of Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coast – protecting communities, restoring fisheries, and contributing to global climate goals. This project directly supports Tanzania’s National Adaptation Plan and is aligned with international blue carbon standards.
Every school where C.Y.D.O. works receives a living gift – fruit trees planted in the school compound. These trees provide shade for outdoor learning, nutritious fruit for students and a practical, living lesson in environmental care.
We have planted 5,200+ fruit trees in schools across Tanzania. A mango tree planted today will be feeding students, teachers, and families for the next 50 years.
Not all tree planting programs deliver real results. Many campaigns plant trees that die within months because species selection, site preparation, community buy-in, and aftercare are not properly managed.
C.Y.D.O’s approach is different. We use only indigenous species native to each specific ecosystem. We establish nurseries 6-12 months before planting to produce strong, acclimatized seedlings. We train community members to plant correctly and care for trees in the critical first year. We monitor survival rates and replace trees that fail. And we build community ownership so that planted forests are protected long after C.Y.D.O. moves on.
Our survival rates consistently exceed 85% – well above the industry average for community reforestation programs.
Planting a tree in Tanzania is one of the most direct, tangible, and lasting climate actions you can take. Through C.Y.D.O., you can donate to plant specific trees in specific locations, sponsor a tree nursery, fund a community reforestation event, support a school greening project, or dedicate trees in someone’s name as a gift.
Every tree is photographed. Every location is recorded. Every donor receives updates.
Plant your tree today at changamotoyouth.org/donations.
