March 4, 2004 — In the Musoma Rural District of Mara, Tanzania, farmers long fought the local baboons that destroyed their cassava, potato and banana crops. In the daytime, the baboons raided homes, drinking water from storage barrels, and stealing clothes and dishes. The farmers responded by burning nearby hills, but this proved a better way to kill vegetation than baboons. Occasionally the farmers would kill the baboons with traps.

As members of the Jane Goodall Institute's global youth program Roots & Shoots&reg, students in the district's Tonyo Primary School were charged with studying local problems and developing creative, compassionate solutions. Roots & Shoots was founded by Dr. Goodall and 16 Tanzanian students in 1991 and today has more than 6,000 groups in 87 countries. Under the guidance of R&S coordinator Deus Cosmos and teacher Rupert Matthias, the Tonyo students decided to tackle the conflict between baboons and farmers. After studying the baboon troops that lived on a large, now-charred hill near their school, they realized that a losing cycle had developed. The baboons would raid the fields, the farmers would burn the hill, and then the baboons would return to the fields in search of food. "What can we do to keep the baboons' needs from colliding with the farmers' livelihoods?" the group asked.

They went to the village elders for official permission to talk to the local farmers. Then the group visited 40 shambas, or small-scale farms, in the vicinity of the hill and explained that burning would simply make the baboons steal more crops. Most people were receptive to their argument. The importance of conservation is clear to many Tanzanians — the country is famous for its wildlife, and nearby national parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro attract visitors from around the world. Conservation has intrinsic benefits, but also brings much-needed income.

The students then planted Magusu, suruji, matango (cucumber), cashew and various types of cactus on the hill. They hoped this buffer would give the baboons sufficient fruit, nuts and leaves and save the farmers' crops.

Since the project was launched over a year ago, almost all the burning has stopped. Small animals and birds are returning to the hill, and where there used to be large patches of charred earth, there are growing patches of greenery. Baboons are rarely seen in farmers' fields and shambas. Crops are destroyed far less often, and farmers generally are pleased.

In recognition of this inspiring success demonstrating the power of individual action, the Tonyo Roots & Shoots students have been nominated from among hundreds of students worldwide for a Volvo Adventure Environmental Award. They will join 14 other youth groups at a conference and ceremony in Göteburg, Sweden, May 1-5. Three international projects will be selected for global award recognition and award prizes worth up to $10,000.

In the meantime, Mr. Cosmos and Mr. Matthias say the students of Tonyo Roots & Shoots have embraced their role as the baboons' "guardians." "They enthusiastically sign up to plant trees or patrol the hill looking for burning," they write. "They have learned a lot about peaceful co-existence with animals, and are looking forward to their next conservation task."