Benson Henry Tilya
Conservationist
Dar es Salaam
Summary
Field-based conservation and community livelihoods practitioner Tanzanian, with 6+ years of experience leading native forest and mangrove restoration, regenerative agriculture, seed systems, and community-driven conservation in Tanzania. Skilled in designing and managing livelihood programs, FPIC-style consultations, community training, monitoring systems, seedbank operations, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. Experienced in ARR/REDD+ readiness, MRV support, biodiversity assessments, and restoration planning across rural landscapes. Strong communicator with a track record of working closely with village leaders, women's groups, farmer associations, and government institutions to implement practical and culturally grounded solutions.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Coordinator (Part Time)
East Africa Seed Network for Restoration (EASNR)
01.2023 - Current
- Coordinated restoration practitioners, seed suppliers, researchers, and community groups to strengthen native seed systems in the region.
- Facilitated knowledge exchange on seed sourcing, quality, community seed enterprises, and restoration techniques, supported by Terraformation’s Organization training tools and resources.
- Organized more than 15 virtual and in-person sessions, learning events, and collaboration between institutions and local networks.
- Coordinated regional initiatives within 7 Organization in the region to enhance seed restoration efforts across diverse communities.
- Developed strategic partnerships with local organizations to expand project reach and impact.
Conservation Manager
Saving Africa's Nature (SANA)
09.2021 - 06.2025
- Led restoration of 65 hectares of Kikwati Wildlife Corridor, planting over 300,000 native trees with survival rates exceeding 87%.
- Designed and implemented community based conservation programs, engaging local communities in forest protection and elephant-human conflict mitigation.
- Introduced agroforestry and beekeeping initiatives that provided sustainable income while reducing crop damage from wildlife.
- Partnered with government agencies and NGOs to strengthen conservation governance and environmental education in coastal Tanzania.
- Contributed to Verra-compliant carbon credit readiness, supporting potential revenue generation through ecosystem restoration projects.
- Monitored and enhanced biodiversity and habitat connectivity, facilitating safe elephant migration across corridors linking Saadani National Park to Wami River.
- Prepared technical reports, MEL data, donor updates, concept notes, and field documentation for carbon and biodiversity reporting.
- Built and mentored field teams, including youth and women groups, on restoration techniques, soil conservation, seed handling, and monitoring.
Seedbank Manager
Saving Africa's Nature (SANA)
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Established a native tree seedbank storing 27+ species, ensuring long-term availability of over 2 billion seeds for large-scale reforestation
- Developed seed collection systems, farmer networks, and documentation processes to address shortages of native seeds for restoration.
- Conducted seed viability tests, storage preparation, and record keeping species supply planning.
- Supported teams with seedling tracking, nursery planning, and restoration data updates.
- Supported restoration of 1200+ hectares of native forest by supplying high quality seeds to nurseries and restoration sites.
Field Intern - Forestry, Biodiversity & Community Projects
Jane Goodall Institute
08.2018 - 09.2020
- Supported forest inventories, ecological surveys, species documentation, and habitat assessments.
- Assisted in community sensitization sessions on sustainable land use and conservation practices.
- Working with Roots & Shoots program under supervision of National coordinator to ensure policy guidance, project report writing in implementation of Tanzania Roots & Shoots Portfolio, developing proposals, developing school and community environment conservation educational manual and administering 4 Roots & Shoots head offices.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Botanical Sciences
University of Dar Es Salaam
Tanzania11-2018
Skills
Livelihoods & Agriculture: Regenerative agriculture, climate-smart farming, agroforestry, NTFPs, soil conservation, water management, farmer field schools
Community Processes: FPIC-style consultations, facilitation, participatory planning, gender-inclusive approaches, conflict-sensitive engagement
Restoration Expertise: Native forest restoration, mangroves, seed systems, nursery management, biodiversity monitoring, landscape assessments
Carbon & MRV: ARR/REDD readiness, field evidence documentation, monitoring systems, carbon data support
Data & Tools: GIS (QGIS/ArcGIS), KoboToolbox, basic MRV tools, MS Office Suite
Leadership: Team management, multi-stakeholder coordination, community training, partnering with government agencies
Certification
I, Benson Henry Tilya, the undersigned, certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, this Resume correctly describes my qualification and my experience, and I am available to undertake committed the job in case of an award. _______________________________, 03/December/2025
Languages
English
Full Professional
Kiswahili
Native or Bilingual
Dutch
Limited Working
Portfolio
FEATURED
TEDx Talk- Combating Climate Change in the Developing World. | Benson Tilya | TEDxYouth@Upanga
Gongo Village Forest- Restoration Project. Saving Africa's Nature (SANA) In Tanzania
Timeline
Regional Coordinator (Part Time)
East Africa Seed Network for Restoration (EASNR)
01.2023 - Current
Conservation Manager
Saving Africa's Nature (SANA)
09.2021 - 06.2025
Seedbank Manager
Saving Africa's Nature (SANA)
09.2020 - 09.2021
Field Intern - Forestry, Biodiversity & Community Projects
Jane Goodall Institute
08.2018 - 09.2020
Bachelor of Science - Botanical Sciences
University of Dar Es Salaam