African Blackwood Conservation Project
So that the Song of the Tree of Music Will not go Silent
Mpingo Reforestation & Conservation in Eastern Africa
Since 1996 the African Blackwood Conservation Project (ABCP) has been committed to replanting the tree species Dalbergia melanoxylon – more commonly known as grenadilla, African blackwood or mpingo (Swahili) – in its native habitat of eastern Africa. The wood of this tree, which is the national tree of Tanzania, has been treasured since antiquity for its elegant appearance and remarkable properties. Many exquisite furniture pieces made of mpingo have been recovered from the tombs and temples of the ancient Egyptians from as far back as 5,000 years ago, and it has been considered a precious species in numerous cultures around the world ever since. In modern times its primary uses are in the manufacture of woodwind instruments, the creative wood carvings of east African artists and the artform of Ornamental Turning. Many of its users consider it irreplaceable.
Our Program Areas
Our organization truly believes that by working together, we can save more lives than ever before.
Reforestation Programe
Since 1996, the African Blackwood Conservation Project (ABCP) has tackled the steep challenge of restoring mpingo (Dalbergia melanoxylon), a slow-growing species under threat from overharvesting and habitat loss. The program starts at the Moshi Mpingo Plot nursery, where seedlings are grown sturdy enough to withstand planting.
Communities Engagement
Community engagement in the African Blackwood Conservation Project (ABCP) is about empowering local people to take ownership of conservation. Instead of reforestation being an outsider-driven program, ABCP integrates tree planting and management into the daily lives of farmers, women’s groups, and institutions.
Education Outreach
Educational outreach is the second cornerstone of ABCP’s work, aimed at building a conservation ethic in the next generation. The project collaborates with schools throughout the Kilimanjaro region, where students take part in raising, planting, and protecting mpingo seedlings.
Our Commitment
01
Replanting and protecting rare tree species
Since 1996 the ABCEO has been committed to replanting the tree species Dalbergia melanoxylon — more commonly known as grenadilla, African blackwood or mpingo (Swahili) — in its native habitat of eastern Africa.
02
Educational outreach and raising awareness
In order to raise awareness about the international importance of the tree it has instituted educational programs and enlisted the assistance of other concerned conservationists, who have assisted in replanting efforts for the species.
03
Supporting community & ecological restoration
Through the cooperative efforts of schools, churches, municipal organizations and private landowners, the ABCEO has distributed several hundred thousand mpingo seedlings from its tree nursery. In addition to African blackwood its nursery also supplies indigenous tree seedlings for domestic use to improve the standard of living in communities where we work and for environmental remediation in the Mt. Kilimanjaro watershed.
Events
Moshi Police Academy
The African Blackwood Conservation Project (ABCP) has worked closely with the Moshi Police Academy to…
Community Pet Adoption Day
At the College of African Wildlife Management (Mweka), ABCEO expanded its outreach by distributing and…
Paws and Play: Fun Day at the Park
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Veterinary Care Awareness Seminar
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New Treatment Paradigms Unveiled
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Greening Shanti Road; Tree Planting Initiative in Moshi Town
The tree planting event along Shanti Road in Moshi town was a landmark collaboration that…
Successful Stories
School Tree-Planting at St Teresa
This all-girls secondary school in Mwanza (near Moshi) has been working with ABCP since 2015, focusing on planting seedlings of Dalbergia melanoxylon (mpingo / African blackwood) on its grounds.
Tree-Planting Outreach in Northern Tanzania Districts (2022-24)
In the 2021-22 period ABCP distributed 17,501 seedlings (10,682 mpingo + 6,819 indigenous trees) to districts of Mwanga, Rombo and Kikatiti.
Nurseries and Science-Based Propagation of Mpingo
ABCP runs a nursery at Mijongweni (south of Mt Kilimanjaro) for mpingo seedlings, and another via the Kibosho East Environmental Group (KEEG) on Kilimanjaro slopes, enabling the project to match species and elevation zones
Our Trusted Partners
#WE NEED YOU HELP
Together, we can restore nature and breathe life back into our planet.
Our organization truly believes that by working together, we can save more lives than ever before.
Useful links
Contact us
OFFICE
African Blackwood Conservation
P. O. Box 26
Red Rock, Texas 78662
MOSHI - TANZANIA
Moshi Kilimanjaro
P.O.Box
Tanzania
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