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Schwarzenegger's Trees Boost Uganda's Chimps & Economy
3 Nov
Summary
- 15,000 native fig tree cuttings were planted in Uganda.
- The project supported wild chimpanzee habitats.
- Farmers gained sustainable income without felling trees.
Six years ago, Arnold Schwarzenegger's environmental foundation launched a high-impact agroforestry program in Uganda. This initiative aimed to combat deforestation and rural poverty by introducing 15,000 native fig tree cuttings and protecting wild chimpanzee habitats. The program successfully generated sustainable family incomes without necessitating the felling of any trees.
In 2020, Schwarzenegger partnered with the Jane Goodall Institute for this environmental effort. The project specifically focused on the Mutuba fig tree in Western Uganda's Budongo-Bugoma Corridor, a vital ecological bridge for endangered Eastern Chimpanzees. The barkcloth from these trees provides a year-round food source for various species, supporting chimpanzee population growth.
Farmers in ten villages received training in sustainable agroforestry and nursery care. They learned to harvest the outer bark of the Mutuba tree, which regenerates annually, fostering a sustainable income. This initiative, running from November 2020 to November 2023, distributed fig saplings to over 300 families, reviving local craftsmanship and ensuring the project's success.
