Mbizi forest reserve is found 10 km North of Sumbawanga. It is a montane cloud forest lying between 2,100-2,400 meters above sea level and spanning over 23, 500 ha. The importance of Mbizi to the Community it two fold. First, it is a major source of water for Sumbawanga town and surrounding areas. Secondly, it is the last remaining patch of forest of its type remaining in Tanzania and is home to species of plants and animals, which are endemic to the area. Animals and birds found in the forest include cultural African red colobus, assorted bird species, four of which are endemic, five sub-species of butterfly also endemic to the area. Furthermore, Mbizi is the only forest in Tanzania with rusty-nosed rat and two species of toad and various types of grasses. The project's primary objective is to conserve the forest by reducing incidences of forest fires and unsustainable extraction of forest products by 50% by end of year 2005.