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About Us

We are a non-profit

Canopy Ethiopia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was passionately created in 2008 by conscientious artists, environmentalists and thoughtful, dedicated citizens in response to the deforestation crisis taking place in Ethiopia.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW

Currently we are busy preparing for our first nursery in the Dendi region of Ethiopia.  As we await road construction, locals are mobilizing as this exciting project begins to unfold. This project will be Canopy’s template for sustainable Ethiopian communities in the future.

OUR HISTORY

In 2007, Andargé Asfaw and a group of dedicated friends, published Ethiopia from the Heart, a photography book celebrating the landscape and culture of Ethiopia. The goal of the book tour was to raise awareness about the environmental crisis confronting Ethiopia and to generate a keen interest in Ethiopia as a country offering much to the world through its rich cultural, religious, and natural history. The book project fueled the creation of Canopy Ethiopia in 2008.

Through networking with partner organizations, attending environmental festivals, and through illustrated lectures and gallery exhibitions, the message of sustainability and voices of affected citizens are being heard.

our team

Andargé Asfaw is a co-founder of Canopy Ethiopia, co-owner of F/Stop Studio, a commercial photography studio in Silver Spring, Maryland, and author of the photography book, Ethiopia from the Heart. andarge@canopyethiopia.org

Martha Debebe is a co-founder of Canopy Ethiopia and the owner of Marti’s Choice, an event planning company. martha@canopyethiopia.org

Donna T. Jones is a co-founder of Canopy Ethiopia. She is the coordinator of Photography at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland and co-owner of F/Stop Studio, a photography studio in Silver Spring, Maryland. donna@canopyethiopia.org

OUR PARTNERS

Through partnerships with other organizations our dream is becoming a reality. We have partnered with Greener Ethiopia to help establish a nursery and facilitate the tree planting. Greener Ethiopia has been helping communities plant trees in different regions of Ethiopia. Through seed distribution and agroforestry training they have empowered rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands. In Ethiopia, Greener Ethiopia raised over 4 million seedlings that were distributed to local farmers through community institutions in the Guraghe Zone.  Nearly 1500 hectares of degraded lands were replenished. The tree species raised in 2008 included Juniperus procera, Podocarpus graciliour, Cordia africa, Grevillea robusta, Acacia spp. Coffee arabica, Calliandra spp, Leucaena spp, Cassia fistula, Spatodia linotica, Tephrosia, Sesbanea sesban, Pigeon pea, Apple, Mango, and Jatropha. Greener Ethiopia received widespread support from the Ethiopian government, the community, and local businesses.

Ethiopian Airlines, a major African Airline, has supported the planting of 2 million trees via Greener Ethiopia.

The Benefits of Canopy Restoration

Restoring the canopy in Ethiopia will remove millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reduce erosion, stop flooding, bring plant and animal life into balance and renew livelihoods. Most of the wood that is cut in Ethiopia is used for cooking, heating and for dwellings. Burning wood for cooking is unhealthy to mothers and their young children who inhale the smoke.  Educating citizens on sustainability, particularly those who have relied on wood products for their daily needs, is a key element to protecting young trees that have been planted.

Give Today!

We can get there together!

Contact Us

Get Involved! Anyone interested in working with Canopy Ethiopia in any capacity, please contact us anytime. 

Need more information?

info@canopyethiopia.org

Phone 202-656-1720

Thank you for your attention and for visiting Canopy Ethiopia’s website.

 

We can get there together!

Contact Us

Get Involved! Anyone interested in working with Canopy Ethiopia in any capacity, please contact us anytime. 

Need more information?

info@canopyethiopia.org

Phone 202-656-1720

Thank you for your attention and for visiting Canopy Ethiopia’s website.

 

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