Conservation of existing forest biodiversity, its ecosystem and culture of the local community and rehabilitation of degraded environment is among the engagement areas of MELCA. Apparently vast of the country’s forest and corresponding amount of forest diversity has already been lost, especially with in the past 3-4 decades. Although the degree has some how lessened the loss is still persisting. Hence awareness raising and community mobilization activities both for conservation of the existing few forest coverage and forest biodiversity as well as aforestations and rehabilitation of degraded areas are among the priorities for MELCA in its project areas.

As such, with regard to awareness raising activities, MELCA works at all levels beginning from the federal to kebeles and group of community. The advocacy section in MELCA is organizing and creating discussion forums with the parliament of the country at the top, with relevant sectors at regional level, with the judiciary and law enforcement organs at zonal level and with various groups of the community for conservation of existing forest and forest biodiversity. Through its SEGNI program also environmental education is being provided to students in the project areas as one of extra curricular activities. A considerable number of youth who passed through the program have turned out to be good environmental advocates in schools and the wider community.

Abreast such awareness raising activities for conservation of existing forest and forest bio-diversity, MELCA works, with the community, on rehabilitating and foresting barren and degraded lands. Activities toward this end include soil and water conservation activities such as terracing and check dams, developing nursery sites and planting of indigenous trees.