Magoroto and Mlinga forests are part of the East Usambara Mountains, which are world-renowned for their high levels of species endemism and rich floral and faunal diversity. They are recognised as being part of a Biodiversity Hotspot, an Important Bird Area, a Centre of Plant Diversity (WWF & IUCN), a Globally Important Ecoregion (WWF) and a Man and Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO). African violets (Saintpaulia) have been promoted as flagship plants for conservation of these forests.

People of the East Usambara Mountains have a long tradition of using forest resources. In the last decades, however, most of the East Usambara forests have been legally protected and people no longer have right to utilize the forest in the same extent as before. This has led to illegal use of forest because many people still depend on forest for various resources. Population surrounding the East Usambara forests grows fast and the remaining forest patches may be reduced dramatically if alternative sources of livelihood will not be generated. Insufficient fire control in land preparation also induces forest fires and inefficient farming methods force people to clear more farmland from the forest. These threats could be reduced through training of farmers.

The overall goal of this project is better conservation of the Magoroto and Mlinga forests for the benefit of local and international community, with special focus on conservation of the flagship plant Saintpaulia. This goal is to be achieved through sustainable use of the forest through community based ecotourism. Specific objectives are: