Saving Ethiopia’s church forests

An estimated 95% of the native forest has already lost in northern Ethiopia, yet from the sky it has always been possible to see small green circles of hope across the country – the church forests of Ethiopia. Kalkidan Yibeltal travels to Bahir Dar to meet a man whose faith has led him to a lifetime working to preserve these oasis of calm and fertility. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church teaches the value of nature and the small forests surrounding each place of worship offer sanctity and healing for the communities they serve.

We join Dr Alemayehu as he enters the sanctuary of the forest and learn of his passionate hope is that these forests can flourish and be connected – perhaps with corridors alongside rivers and streams – to give wildlife the greatest possible chance to thrive. He finds both sadness and joy as he strives to protect the last of Ethiopia’s native forest.