Friends of Lake Tanganyika (FOLT)

Friends of Lake Tanganyika (FOLT) is a Tanzanian community-based organization dedicated to the conservation of Lake Tanganyika — one of the world's oldest, deepest, and most biodiverse freshwater lakes, home to over 1,500 endemic species. FOLT's reforestation work targets the deforested hillsides surrounding the lake, where soil erosion and sedimentation are among the greatest threats to aquatic life.

The project engages fishing communities and local farmers in planting native tree species along stream banks, hillslopes, and degraded agricultural margins. By restoring vegetation cover, FOLT reduces the sediment runoff that clouds the lake's crystal-clear waters and smothers the breeding habitats of endemic cichlid fish that are vital to both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of local fishing families.

FOLT pairs reforestation with community education on sustainable fishing practices, creating a holistic approach to lake conservation. Participants gain income from nursery work, tree planting, and monitoring activities, giving communities a direct economic stake in the health of the ecosystem they depend on.