00:00It has rained in Lusaka, Zambia, and the forest is looking lush and inviting, drawing nature
00:18lovers outdoors. These workers are part of Tree Club Zambia. They're exploring one of
00:24Lusaka's last remaining forest reserves. Paul Chisunka, a Tree Club member and an environment
00:30advocate, points out an indigenous tree known as Mubanga.
00:35Very difficult to chop down and I guess it has a unique place in this forest because then it
00:41becomes one of those trees that's not easy to cut down but it is also endangered.
00:47Forest 27 was classified as a protected forest reserve decades ago.
00:54Forest 27 is the lungs of Lusaka and it is a main water recharge point. So we need to
01:02safeguard this.
01:04But despite its importance, parts of Forest 27 have been degasated and are open to development.
01:11It was in response to this threat that artist Quintin Allen and other activists formed Tree
01:16Club Zambia.
01:17I see these stumps. A truck had come and chopped down these trees, taken the logs away. The
01:23problem, the other problem is a lot of the forest reserve has been built in. All of this was
01:29Forest 27 originally.
01:33Tree Club educates people about the importance of trees and believe the guided tours they offer
01:38help to protect it.
01:40I think they do a lot because obviously the more people you've got walking around it, the
01:45less people can come and start building. So it's helping on that side.
01:51The club led by Quintin also produces forest based products like food and beverages to fund
01:57its conservation efforts, as well as organizing art projects and cultural performance to raise
02:02awareness.
02:13For the Tree Club, Protecting Forest 27 isn't just about saving trees. It's about safeguarding
02:18the future of Lusaka.
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