Baobab Conservation Program
Our conservation programs are informed by our research, our understanding of baobab ecology and our local knowledge. We work closely with landowners, traditional leaders and local people with the aim of securing a healthy and thriving baobab population for the benefit of all.
Baobab Wildling Project
The Baobab Wilding project specifically focuses on supporting the recruitment of young baobabs in areas where seedlings are not able to survive due to herbivory from domestic livestock and wildlife. Areas which are affected by herbivory include rangelands, wildlife areas and communal land. The project grows baobabs in a nurseries until they are strong enough to survive herbivory and then plant them into these areas.
Baobab-Elephant Project
Elephants strip and eat baobab bark and often gouge into the wood to get to the juicy pulp. Baobabs can withstand extensive damage as they have a unique ability to completely heal wounds within a few years. However, where elephant numbers are very high, excessive debarking leads to dehydration of the tree and eventual death. This problem needs urgent attention as the loss of baobab trees has a knock-on effect on many other animals that live in and around baobab trees. Baobabs are a keystone species that provide habitat for dozens of bird, mammal and reptile species. The Baobab Foundation is involved in researching and finding solutions to mitigate this problem.
Baobab Guardians Project
The Baobab Guardians project started in 2014 and works with local people in villages to plant and grow baobab seedlings until they are tall enough to be safe from domestic animal browsing. Goats in rural landscapes are particularly damaging to baobab seedlings and without providing daily protection to the seedlings they do not survive. The Baobab Guardians project has successfully planted 101 baobab trees in rural villages to date
Sponsors
