This project will focus on key sites identified by the IUCN and other studies as biodiversity hotspots critical for the conservation of TaCEA (Abihudi et al., 2020). These areas are primarily mountainous regions in the Handeni and Lushoto districts of the Tanga region. The project’s target areas include Handeni district (5.4236° S, 38.0261° E), home to Aloe dorotheae, and Soni ward in Lushoto district (4.7987° S, 38.2902° E), where Aloe flexilifolia is found. These sites are located near farmlands, making them particularly vulnerable to agricultural expansion and human activities (Abihudi et al., 2019, 2020; Ojija et al., 2021). Additionally, some of these regions serve as rangelands for pastoralists, which increases the risk of habitat degradation due to livestock grazing. A preliminary survey has shown that the habitats of TaCEA are also highly susceptible to fire, whether from prescribed burns or wildfires. Unfortunately, there are no current management actions in place to protect TaCEA in these areas, nor is there updated data on their population and distribution (Ojija et al., 2021).

To address these challenges, extensive surveys will be carried out in these areas to establish the current population sizes and distributions of TaCEA and assess the impact of human activities threatening their survival. The surveys will also contribute to updating the IUCN Red List database with current data on these species. Additionally, a small number of seedlings will be collected from these sites to be propagated in nurseries or botanical gardens. This ex-situ conservation approach will support the preservation and restoration of TaCEA populations. By focusing on these areas, the project aims to improve the conservation status of these critically endangered aloes, while raising awareness and promoting sustainable management practices among local communities. The data collected will inform future conservation efforts and help direct protective actions to areas where TaCEA are found.