JGI’s community-centered conservation approach was developed in 1994 through the implementation of the Lake Tanganyika Catchment, Reforestation and Education (TACARE) Project.  Since then, TACARE has expanded into the Gombe-Masito-Ugalla Program.

The landscape of western Tanzania remains seriously threatened by unchecked development, unsustainable farming techniques, destructive and uncontrolled wildfires, and a lack of local capacity to establish and enforce more environmentally friendly land-use policies and practices.  Climate change and the increased environmental impact and decreased productivity that result from the HIV/AIDS epidemic are also having a significant impact on sustainable development and habitat preservation in the region.