Billions of Trees Bring Forests Back to Life

Ethiopia is restoring its forests through one of the world’s largest tree-planting campaigns, planting more than 47 billion seedlings to revive degraded landscapes, protect farmland, and strengthen climate resilience.

“Restoring degraded land isn’t just about protecting the environment. It’s also about making life better for my family and community,” says Niku Argane, a farmer in Ethiopia’s Gurage Zone.

Launched in 2019, the Green Legacy Initiative aims to plant 50 billion seedlings by 2030. National forest cover increased from 17.2% in 2019 to 23.6% in 2023, while annual deforestation fell from more than 350 to around 100 square miles between 2013 and 2023. In August 2026 alone, 26.6 million volunteers planted 800 million seedlings in a single day. A recent assessment of more than 44,500 seedlings found an 80% survival rate, highlighting the potential of well-managed restoration. Farmers are already benefiting: Argane’s barley harvest has increased by nearly 80%, while restored vegetation helps prevent soil erosion and retain water.