Ethiopia: Flower Grower Teams Up to Save Critical Lake

Lake Ziway in Ethiopia supports half a million people, but erosion and pollution have pushed it to the brink. Now a flower company and conservation group are proving that businesses can be part of the solution.

Sher Ethiopia, one of the country's largest rose growers, has partnered with Wetlands International on a groundbreaking three-year project to restore the lake and surrounding landscape. Backed by the Netherlands Embassy, the Ziway Lives and Landscapes initiative tackles the biggest threats facing this critical ecosystem.

The plan is refreshingly concrete. Teams will restore 300 hectares of degraded upland areas using nature-based solutions and establish 50 hectares of protected buffer zones along the shore. They'll work with 300 small-scale farmers to cut water use by 15% and reduce chemical fertilizers and pesticides by 20%.

Communities will also remove 50,000 kilograms of invasive water hyacinth choking the lake. Every action targets both immediate relief and long-term health for the watershed.

For Sher Ethiopia, this isn't just good citizenship. The lake's decline threatens their operations and those of every business in the region. "Ziway lake is critical for local communities, farmers, businesses and biodiversity," said Lulit Tadele, Director of Sher Ethiopia.

The partnership brings together global conservation expertise with local agricultural knowledge. Wetlands International has worked around Lake Ziway for years, while Sher Ethiopia understands the daily realities of farming in the basin.

The Ripple Effect: This initiative was designed as a proof point to inspire wider action. The partners are actively recruiting other companies, donors, and community organizations to replicate successful solutions across the entire basin.

"Reversing the degradation of Lake Ziway and its impacts on people and nature can only be tackled together," said Simeneh Shiferaw of Wetlands International Ethiopia. The project uses the 4 Returns Framework, measuring success through natural, social, financial, and inspirational value restored to the landscape.

Early wins will provide data and lessons to scale up what works. The goal isn't just to fix one lake but to demonstrate how businesses, communities, and conservationists can tackle environmental challenges together.

Companies operating around the lake now have a practical way to address shared risks while meeting customer and regulatory expectations for sustainability. The door is open for others to join and amplify the impact across the region.

When businesses recognize that healthy ecosystems protect their bottom line, everyone wins.