Tanzania Forest Conservation Group

It is 45 years since the idea for a working group on Tanzania’s forest came to light at the fourth East African Wildlife Symposium in 1978. Delegates at the international symposium unanimously approved a motion calling for the formation of a group of interested persons to form a working group to stimulate conservation and research activities with the natural forests of Tanzania. Since then, TFCG has grown steadily with early successes in advocating for the gazettement of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park in 1992 and pioneering work in establishing participatory forest management across the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests. Vision – We envisage a world in which Tanzanians and the rest of humanity are enjoying diverse benefits from well-conserved high-biodiversity forests in Tanzania. TFCG’s mission – To reduce poverty in rural communities and to conserve the biodiversity of globally important forests in Tanzania for the benefit of the present and future generations. We achieve this through capacity building, advocacy, research, community development, and protected area management in ways that are sustainable and foster participation, gender equity and partnership. Environmental Education is one of seven strategic planning areas of the TFCG Strategic Plan 2024 - 2028 that contributes to SDGs 1, 4, 5 13 and 15. Moreover, through its Environmental Education Strategy TFCG supports enhanced teacher training and professional development as well as institutional capacity strengthening in the education sector to enhance environmental education and education for sustainable development. TFCG also advocates for increased public resources, including financial, to enhance these areas. The other six strategic planning areas of the organisation are Participatory forest management, Community development, Communication and advocacy, Research, Partnership, Institutional development and resource mobilisation.