News published: 03 July 2026

The Chief Ndaskoi Memorial Museum celebrated the International Museum Day (IMD) on 18 May 2026 under the theme: “Trees and Culture, connecting the past and the future”.

This special day was marked by planting about 100 indigenous, threatened and medicinal plant species at the Museum’s Botanical garden.

The event attracted a mix of community elders and traditional knowledge keepers, students and youth groups, environment practitioners, community and civic leaders to bridge the historical memory with future sustainability. When addressing the audience the Museum’s Executive Director, Ol-aigueneni Meshack Ndaskoi, expounded that the core objective of planting native trees was to blend cultural heritage preservation with biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Also the initiative directly supports the global 2026 Museum Day by positioning the museum as a community hub for social unity and climate action.

He added that the event was deemed important as it focuses on protecting native plants from extinction due to human activities and natural factors and connects the present and future generations as tree availability ensures preservation of culture as the two are interwoven.

The Guest of Honor was the Deputy Mayor of Arusha City, Hon. Julius Ole Sekeyan who represented the Mayor of Arusha City, while delivering his speech, said that we are gathered here at Moshono, Arusha not only to commemorate IMD but also to actively sow the seeds of our future. The theme for this year’s IMD centred on preserving our heritage and fostering community resilience. Museums are the custodians of our past, protecting the rich history, cultural relics, and traditions of the ethnic groups that define us. Yet true preservation is never static. Just as Chief Ndaskoi reigned as a symbol of leadership and unity over a century.

By planting these trees, living monuments are added to this botanical garden. Museums preserve our cultural artifacts, but these trees preserve our planetary lifelines. They purify our air, cool our streets, prevent soil erosion, and safeguard our water catchments. In Tanzania, where afforestation and community tree planting initiatives are profoundly valued, this botanical garden serves as a vital bridge between environmental education and cultural appreciation. Just as museum curates art and history to educate the public, these trees curate a resilient environment. They stand as a testament to what we can achieve when we unite to fight climate change and protect our biodiversity.

Every seedling planted is a pledge to the generations to come a promise that they will inherit a greener, healthier, and more sustainable community. Finally the guest of honour concluded by urging everyone to continue to support these plants and carry the spirit of today’s event into their own neighbourhoods. Let us remember that preserving our environment is the ultimate preservation of our heritage.