The early Trust days

“Why didn't you ask us?”
The story behind Entoto Natural Park

In 1995, volunteers from across Addis Ababa came together to create Entoto Natural Park, planting indigenous trees and restoring a degraded landscape. What began as a bold vision soon became a movement, powered by community spirit, shared purpose, and a love for Ethiopia's natural heritage.

It was a sunny Sunday in August 1995. A group of students from Medhane Alem High School were walking up Entoto road. Two teachers were with them. All were volunteers going to plant tree seedlings in the new Entoto Natural Park.

As they walked up the hill they passed a group of street boys. Boys who owned nothing in this world and lived in the deepest poverty. The street boys stopped the group. “Where are you going? What are you doing? We have seen groups like you going up the hill this last month. What’s the idea?”

One of the teachers explained about the new Park. How it had been given to the Ethiopian Heritage Trust, all 13 square kilometres, to provide a space of peace and repose for all the people of Addis Ababa, for all Ethiopians. He told them about biodiversity, and how planting native Ethiopian trees would bring back a rich forest, alive with all manner of plants, and birds and animals.

And how the Park was being created by volunteers – people freely giving their money and their time.

The street boys listened intently.

Then they said, “Why didn’t you ask us?”

And so they climbed the hill with us, and worked.

They worked for four hours, digging holes and planting seedling. And they did it for free. They, who owned nothing, the poorest of the poor, worked solely for love of others and this world.

The beginning

The beginning of the Ethiopian Heritage Trust was a meeting held in 1993 of people interested in preserving the natural landscape and historic buildings of Ethiopia. Among those present were:

Addis Adugna
Dr. Agedew Redie
Alula Pankhurst
Debebe Habtegiorghis
Elias Wondimu
Fasil Ghiorghis
Mulageta Hunde
Michael Sargent
Patricia Sargent
Richard Pankhurst
Rita Pankhurst
Sue Edwards
Tadesse Terfa
Dr. Tewolde Berhan
Yosef Beredad

The first task for this group was establishing its objectives and seting out a Constitution. This was done by November 1993 and the objectives were clearly stated:

“The aim of the Trust is to act as a body for the holding in perpetuity of sites and building of historic and/or aesthetic interest and of lands of natural beauty to be preserved for present and future generations.”

The first President of the Trust was Ato Debebe Habteghiorghis, with Dr. Agedew Redie as Vice President.

From the outset it was agreed that the Trust should be built on the time and effort and support of Ethiopians. Voluntary action was to be at the heart of the organisation, and it was not to go searching for aid from other countries. It was believed that enough

Ethiopians were lovers of the beauty of their country and of their historic sites and that they would contribute freely their time and money.

The Entoto Natural Park – The beginning

From the very start the Trust hoped to establish, as its first project a natural park on Entoto. It was a bold project, especially for a small charity that had only just been established.

It would be the first capital city in Africa to have a natural park absolutely right beside the city.

Entoto Hills at that time were completely covered by eucalyptus trees, which create an ecological desert and, which, when cut down, mean appalling land erosion. The main idea behind the park was to restore the natural biodiversity – by planting Ethiopian tree seedlings to allow the indigenous plants, birds and animals to return. At the same time it would make an area of natural beauty for the people of Ethiopia to walk in, relax and enjoy.
And it would become a wonderful educational resource for all to learn about the environment.

A preliminary survey was carried out in November 1993, and was welcomed by the Addis Ababa authorities. The then Mayor of Addis Ababa, Tefera Waluwa, from the very beginning gave his strong support to the project and thanks to his decisive leadership a contract was signed on 21 July 1995 granting the Trust a 99 year free lease of 13 square kilometres on the slopes of Entoto.

Entoto Park – The first three years

The Trust had already made preparations for this moment and, in partnership with another charitable organisation – Plant Locally and Nurture Trees – had already established tree nurseries at Menegesha and Wondo Genet. Full cooperation was provided by the Wondo Genet Forestry College and the Botany Department of Addis Ababa University provided essential advice.

The first planting season took place that year – July-August 1995 – and was a great success.

A large area of eucalyptus trees was cleared and over 33,000 indigenous trees and 600 indigenous flowers were planted. Ten different kinds of trees were planted, including Habesha Tsed, Girar and Kontir.

The pitting and planting were carried out entirely by volunteers from all walks of life including students from twelve high schools and two elementary schools in and around Addis Ababa. They were enthusiastically organised by Ato Million Belay, the Assistant Park Coordinator.

Buses and trucks to carry the volunteers and all the necessary materials were provided free by transport companies and individuals.

The planting in that first year was rounded off by a “1,000 People Party” on the slopes of Addis Ababa, celebrating the year’s great achievements and thanking all those who had been involved. In fact more than 1,200 people came to enjoy the afternoon – ambassadors, university lecturers, government employees, students, street children – anyone and everyone who believed in the Trust and wanted to do something to help. Circus Ethiopian provided a show, and there was music and dancing and food. 300 students walked from Ghiorghis Church to the site of the party, up to the Entoto Hills to raise funds, and the police gave their time freely to help.

The Party demonstrated the scale of excitement generated around the project among all levels of society, and a wide range of individuals and organisations were keen to contribute.

By June 1996 paid-up members of the Trust numbered 1,412 and the support from senior and influential figures was amazing. A list of some of the key members is attached.

And by the end of the third year over 100,000 indigenous trees had been planted.

The Park was on its way.