These “church forests” protect Ethiopia’s fragile landscapes

The Entos Eyesus church and its forest fill an entire tiny island in the middle of Lake Tana, near Bahir Dar.

Several auxiliary buildings nestle in the forest alongside the Tebebari Michael church in Anbesame, Amhara.

Oxen walk through a dry grain field near the Bahirdo Michael church in West Gojam, kicking up plumes of dust.

New government-built housing bumps up against the edges of a church forest at the Gedame Weyin Enchet Michael church.

Lush, mature forest canopy drapes over the Betre Mariam church in Zege, at the edges of Lake Tana.

At some church sites, like the Chimba Michael church in West Gojam, the forest have been lost nearly entirely, with only a few trees sparsely scattered across the landscape.