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By Victor Nsereko
In just its second year, Indigenous Tree Day (ITD) has emerged as one of Africa’s most ambitious native tree restoration initiatives. Spearheaded by the African Tree Seeds Group (ATSG) a collective of over 520 conservationists. ITD is rapidly expanding across the continent and beyond, engaging diverse self-funding stakeholders in a shared mission: restoring biodiversity through the planting and conservation of indigenous trees. This year Indigenous Tree Day is scheduled on 15 April 2025.
A Rapidly Expanding Global Impact
In 2024, the inaugural Indigenous Tree Day saw 341 native tree species planted on 26 sites across 12 African countries. This year, the movement has grown dramatically, with pledges from 20 African countries (plus the USA) and more than 90 planting locations. As of April 1, confirmed participating countries include Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, DR Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, The Gambia, Namibia, Egypt, Senegal, Ethiopia, Botswana, Niger, Mozambique, Burundi, Malawi, South Sudan, and Cameroon. Once all locations are confirmed, ITD25 is set to more than triple the number of planting sites compared to 2024, solidifying its place as a major international conservation event.
A Collective Self-Funded Effort Across Borders
ITD 2025 brings together a diverse coalition of conservationists, botanical gardens, universities, corporations, municipal governments, faith-based organizations, and community groups. Key participants include:
• National botanical gardens and or arboreta in Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe.
• Municipal governments in Senegal (Dakar), Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), and Zambia (Chipata).
• University-led projects, such as Bomet University (Kenya) and Dilla University Botanical Gardens (Ethiopia).
• Conservation organizations, including the South African National Bio, diversity Institute, Kilimanjaro Project (Tanzania), Kyaninga Forest Foundation (Uganda), Lukango Tree Conservancy (Uganda), Silver Oak Mazingira Hub (Kenya) and Flora Africana (Zimbabwe).
• Faith-based initiatives, such as the Aga Khan Mosque (Kampala, Uganda) and the Franciscan Green Campaign (Uganda).
• Community-led and permaculture projects, such as HUMURA Organic Farming (Rwanda), Greening Kuwadzana (Zimbabwe), and Msitu Sheriff (Kenya).
With commitments spanning schools, farms, nature reserves, and urban spaces, ITD2025 demonstrates the power of collective action in addressing the global biodiversity crisis.
Beyond Planting: A Commitment to Conservation
Indigenous Tree Day is not just about planting—it is about ensuring the long-term survival of native trees and restoring ecosystems. ATSG and its partners emphasize seed banking, ecological monitoring, and species restoration efforts to maximize impact.
A special focus is being placed on the propagation of globally and regionally threatened and rare tree species. Lukango Tree Conservancy (Uganda), for example, is leveraging its extensive seed sourcing network to support the planting of genetically diverse seedlings.
By integrating seed banking, community engagement, and scientific research, ITD aspires to creating lasting conservation solutions that extend beyond a single day of planting.
A Call to Action: Join the Global Movement
The unprecedented growth of ITD25 highlights a key opportunity: to turn Indigenous Tree Day into a truly global movement for native tree conservation. The loss of indigenous trees is a worldwide crisis, affecting biodiversity, climate resilience, and local livelihoods. By collaborating across borders, we can scale up restoration efforts and share knowledge on how to protect native forests.
ATSG invites botanical gardens, research institutions, conservation groups, and corporate partners worldwide to join this growing movement. Whether through seed banking, reforestation projects, or policy advocacy, the success of ITD depends on sustained partnerships and long-term investment in native tree conservation.
For those interested in supporting, participating and learning more about Indigenous Tree Day and the African Tree Seeds Group, contact info@LuTreeCo.com
Together, we can grow Indigenous Tree Day into a global force for native tree conservation and ecological restoration.
