Ethiopia Celebrates a Historic Tree Planting Campaign, Promoting Forest Restoration and National Renewal
July 18, 2017
Ethiopia has launched the seventh year of its ambitious Green Legacy initiative, setting an unprecedented target of planting 700 million seedlings in a single day. Building on six years of nationwide mobilization, the country has already planted over 40 billion trees, increasing forest cover to 23% and reaffirming its dedication to environmental restoration and climate resilience.
The Green Legacy campaign emphasizes not only the planting of indigenous and shade trees but also the cultivation of fruit-bearing varieties. This effort has significantly improved food sovereignty, with products like avocados entering the international export market.
Beyond greening the landscape, the initiative aims to bolster climate resilience, prevent soil erosion, and promote inclusive development. The government highlights that these seedlings represent more than just forests—they symbolize food, beauty, and economic growth.
On July 24, 2017, citizens from all regions—north, south, east, west, highlands, and lowlands—will come together to plant the targeted 700 million trees in a single day. An additional 7.5 billion seedlings are planned for planting this summer, bringing the total number of trees planted since the campaign’s inception to 48 billion.
As Ethiopia prepares to host the 2nd African Climate Summit in September, the nation aims to showcase its pioneering Green Deal strategy to regional partners. The tree-planting campaign is not only a step toward ecological restoration but also a powerful call for unity, sustainability, and climate leadership across the continent.
