If the Ethiopian Church Forests were *JUST* these epic forests cultivated around Orthodox Church buildings for centuries, offering a glimpse of what Ethiopia’s landscape could look like instead of the damaged, desertified lands you see outside the forests… they would be cool enough.
But they’re more than that.
They’re reserves of all the species of insect, bird, and animal life that needs those forests to survive. In other words, they’re not just religious sanctuaries, but sanctuaries for biodiversity.
If they remain isolated, you’ll likely see these species start to branch off genetically. Those subpopulations might see less genetic populations, which makes disease more likely. Rejoining these populations is important, and building corridors between these church forests is one of my favorite efforts Plant With Purpose is up to!