By: Shiferaw Lakew 

Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative has grown from a government-led tree-planting campaign into a nationwide environmental movement, with community participation becoming the driving force behind the country's restoration efforts, according to a leading plant ecologist.

Speaking on Addis Dialogue, Addis Ababa University plant ecologist Professor Zerihun Woldu said the initiative has transformed public attitudes toward environmental conservation by making ecological restoration a shared national responsibility rather than a task left solely to government institutions.

The initiative recently marked a major milestone after Ethiopia planted over 800 million tree seedlings in a single day, a record that reflects the scale of public engagement in the country's reforestation campaign.

"The responsibility for protecting the environment now belongs to everyone," Zerihun said, noting that schoolchildren, university students, farmers, religious institutions and local communities have all taken part in restoration activities.

He said the program's success lies not only in the number of seedlings planted but also in its science-based approach. Ethiopia's diverse ecological zones require different tree species, and restoration efforts are planned according to local environmental conditions to improve long-term survival and ecological benefits.

According to Zerihun, the initiative aims to restore degraded landscapes, improve soil fertility, protect water resources and strengthen food security by rebuilding healthy ecosystems.

He also said the Green Legacy Initiative is contributing to the country's transition toward a green economy by creating employment opportunities through nursery development and environmental management while equipping young people with skills in ecological restoration.

"It is a generation's assignment. We do that today, and the next generation will learn from us and continue doing that because their livelihood is going to depend on it," Zerihun said.

Launched in 2019, Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative has become one of Africa's largest environmental restoration programs, combining large-scale tree planting with public participation and ecosystem restoration. Supporters say the program offers a model for addressing climate change, land degradation and biodiversity loss through community-led action.

Here is the link to the full conversation:

https://youtu.be/FU9niEFL6ro?si=Kd8sUtdqrNebFz4m