Schwarzenegger's Uganda Fig Tree Project Ends After 3 Years

Arnold Schwarzenegger's environmental foundation supported a fig tree planting project in Uganda from 2020 to 2023. The initiative focused on restoring forests and protecting chimpanzee habitats.

The project, in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, introduced around 15,000 native fig tree cuttings to smallholder farmers. The goal was to address deforestation and rural poverty while supporting wildlife conservation.

The Mutuba fig tree was specifically selected for the project due to its bark, which can be used for barkcloth and as a food source for chimpanzees. Harvesting the bark does not require cutting down the tree, allowing for sustainable use.

Farmers in ten villages received training in sustainable agroforestry, nursery care, and barkcloth processing. This helped create alternative income streams and turned residents into active forest guardians.

The initiative, titled 'Wrapping Nature in Culture,' ran for three years and concluded in November 2023. The project was reported to have achieved its goals of reviving local craftsmanship and providing sustainable income.

Schwarzenegger and Jane Goodall sustained and fully funded the project through their organizations over the estimated timeline. The organization’s website stated the initiative was a success.