The Desa’a Forest is one of the oldest remaining dry afromontane forests in Ethiopia, and the largest in Tigray and Afar. It is listed as a global biodiversity hotspot and priority area for conservation by the Ethiopian government. This region is also known as the Cradle of Humanity and forms the last green barrier against the expanding desert. Only 10% of the original forest is still relatively dense. These are areas that are either sacred or inaccessible and have therefore been preserved from illegal logging and grazing. WeForest now protects these areas with guards and uses them as precious seed banks for the restoration of surrounding buffer zones. To further protect and restore other parts of the forest, WeForest engages the surrounding farmers and landless families in Kalamin (Atsbi Wonberta district) and surrounding villages, partially voluntary and partially paid. They help dig micro basins, bring stones and mulch to retain soil moisture, plant the seedlings and eventually prune the trees as they grow. In return, they receive valuable beehives, solar lights, efficient cookstoves, vegetable seeds, and chickens.

WeForest´s work in the area is supporting the vision of the Great Green Wall - launched in 2007 to stop the progression of the Sahara with trees contributing to solving desertification, climate change, drought, famine, conflict and migration. The concept of a wall has now evolved towards an Africa-wide initiative.