WeForest
WeForest
In 2022, Dr. Aklilu Negussie and the WeForest Ethiopia team designed the Wof Washa programme to restore 11,055 hectares of natural forest, degraded exclosures and backyard plantations near Ankober and Debre Sina urban areas through community engagement. About 14% of the Wof-Washa Natural Forest (also known as "Cave of Birds") had been lost in the previous two decades due to population pressure, deforestation, expanding agriculture, invasive species encroachment and fire, all of which led to accelerated soil erosion, watershed degradation and downstream flooding. The project will run for over 10 years, with tree planting, conservation and monitoring implemented in partnership with the Sustainable Natural Resources Management Association (SUNARMA) together with local communities and government bodies (Amhara Bureau of Agriculture, Woreda Agriculture Offices, Environment and Forest Department, Amhara National Regional State, Environment and Forest Protection Authority, Finance & Economic Development Bureaus, Kebelle administration); government programs and NGOs (REDD+ Ethiopia, Menshen fur Menshen, Ethiopian Orthodox Church); and research institutes (Ethiopian Forest Research Institute, Amhara Region Agriculture Research Institution, Debre Birhan Agriculture Research Center and Debre Berhan University). The Wof Washa programme is funded by WeForest largely through a partnership with WEX and their customers who choose to support WeForest as part of the WEX ‘Eco Miles’ initiative.
The Wof Washa forest was first classified based on density and species composition type, and divided into dense forest, open forest and degraded/bare land forest area to facilitate management and monitoring. Community forest management institutions were then established to coordinate engagement with local communities in restoration, including support for the development of bylaws and facilitating access to finance. Different community forest cooperatives were assigned to perform restoration and apply different management practices in their designated parts of the forest. For example, in the dense forest zone, Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) is a greater priority than tree planting, while in the degraded forest area tree planting is a key action, requiring around ~500 new trees/hectare. These practices are combined with livelihood improvement actions such as the integration of agroforestry practices, backyard and value chain development among others. As of 2024, 188,594 trees (mainly native trees) have been planted through community engagement. A general management plan is being developed together with the government to make the Wof Washa forest a national park, integrating ecotourism and a dedicated management team.
It is expected that downstream communities in cities like Dulecha, Gacheni, Debresina and Ankober benefit from reduced soil erosion and flooding. Multipurpose native trees have also been planted, to increase and diversify income for local people. Employment opportunities have increased through participation in agroforestry and beekeeping activities, and local people make additional income from collection and selling of tree seedlings like acacia abyssinica, pinus, and juniperus procera for up to $4.10 per kilogram. Twelve forest developer community groups have been supported to develop bylaws that govern members’ engagement in planting and post-planting activities, including penalties in case of default. Children in local schools have been sensitized to environmental protection and the importance of the forestry sector through environmental school clubs, visits to restored forests and participation in planting activities in school compounds and restoration areas. Also, the Wof Washa restoration team is developing spring and other water points to provide clean water to about 8000 households in local communities. Nearly 500 subsistence farmers have participated and benefited from seedlings used for restoration and forage, leading to enhanced productivity. Improved livestock management such as the use of improved breeds (hybrids/crossbreeds), fodder grass, shrub development and feed production practices have been promoted (e.g. forage crop production in rotation, backyard production, intercropping and contour forage cropping).
Along with the 188,594 multipurpose trees that have been planted across 35.7 hectares, an additional 330 hectares of the Wof Washa forest is under restoration management, and enrichment planting is underway. The forest stores an estimated 284.19 t/ha of carbon both above and below ground, including soil organic carbon. Moisture conservation measures such as planting native grasses/legume species, ridge to valley check dams and contour trenches are implemented to help in restoration and reducing erosion and vulnerability to draught.
The engagement of local communities and extensive stakeholders’ collaboration in holistic landscape restoration planning, implementation and governance is a key success factor for the Wof Washa programme. Also, the careful consideration of alternative livelihood options for local people greatly contributes to the success of the programme.
The armed conflict between non-state armed groups and the government affects part of the programme area and impedes implementation and upscaling. Secondly, issues of access due to difficult terrain of Wof Washa forest, and the time required for local communities to trade off some forest use activities for sustainability challenges the restoration programme.
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