Soil erosion is a major problem in Southern Tanzania as trees are taken for fuel and building without being replaced. Trade Aid is trying to prevent this by educating local people about why they should be planting trees to replace those they cut down. To help with this a tree nursery has been created near the Boma with the help of pupils from the local primary schools. Here trees are grown then transplanted into the eroded soils around Mikindani.

Six months after it was started there are now over 1700 saplings in the nursery. Some saplings have already been planted at a nearby school and others have been planted as part of the opening ceremony of the local dispensary. The local school children have proved invaluble in this process as they have done much of the work to plant and look after the saplings. Now plans are being made for the next season to also grow ebony as it is becoming scarce due to its popularity for making carvings. By planting ebony trees we hope we will help the local carvers to sustain the raw materials they require to work.