Amani Nature Reserve forms the Southern and largest mountain block of the East Usambara Mountains, which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountain chain. The East Usambara Mountains are famous for their exceptional diversity of its plant and animal communities. Records show that East Usambara Mountains is home to about 350 species of birds, 200 species of butterfly, more than 50 species of amphibians, 80 species of reptiles, 3,400 species of plants including 650 species of trees. The purpose of this project therefore is to facilitate involvement of the surrounding communities in the management of Amani Nature Reserve under the premise that "conservation cannot succeed without the support of the local communities".