The role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in environmental protection endeavor isrnconsidered in this study by taking into account one from each category of CSOs that arernlegally operating in Ethiopia i.e. Ethiopian Residence (MELCA Ethiopia), and ForeignrnCharity (World Vision Ethiopia). The objectives of the study is aimed at uncovering thernspecific roles and activities of SEGNI environmental education program, MELCArnEthiopia, and Humbo CDM project that works on forest regeneration under World VisionrnEthiopia. It also attempts to figure out the benefits and challenges experienced by thernprojects. The study follows a descriptive research method to effectively address thernforegoing objectives. The target population considered for SEGNI is the one that runs inrnHoleta town among those in Sebeta town, Welmera and Sebeta Hawas woreda due tornmainly the existence of active and vibrant environmental protection activities. ForrnHumbo CDM project, the target population taken in to account is the Humbo communityrnthat is organized under seven forest cooperatives. Abella Longena forest cooperative wasrntargeted among the seven due to a relatively vast area it covered, high membership size,rnand sale and revenue sharing of carbon trading. The study employed both probabilityrn(i.e. simple random) and non-probability (purposive) sampling techniques appropriately.rnAbout 10 % of representative samples were selected using lottery method that yield 113rnsamples among the total 1125 SEGNI club members in Holeta and 90 samples from thern903 members at the cooperative. As a result of an active participation of members inrnenvironmental education, SEGNI members are able to acquire various ecological,rncultural and indigenous knowledge, and it helped them develop attitudinal change, socialrnresponsibility, communication skill, and become proactive and action-oriented. Thernfindings regarding the forest regeneration activities at Humbo woreda show thatrnmembers are able to get full access to social, economic and legal benefits, not to mentionrnthe restoration of rich forest coverage that significantly decreased the environmentalrnproblems the community used to face. The environmental protection endeavorsrnundertaken by both projects which are the first in its kind in Ethiopia have been well-rnrecognized both nationally and internationally. And the success of the projects could bernreplicated elsewhere so as to reach out to a wider community whose overall impact willrngreatly contribute to a better living environment for all living things. The Charities andrnSocieties proclamation (no. 621/2009) and the 70/30 directive have been found to bernrestrictive as it significantly affects local CSOS like MELCA Ethiopia. CSOs workingrntowards environmental protection are therefore recommended to forge one umbrella sornas to lobby against national and international laws affecting their operations and torncreate regional and international integration and networking for experience sharing andrntechnical support..rnKey Words: Environmental Protection, Civil Society Organizations, SEGNI program,rnHumbo CDM project, MELCA Ethiopia, World Vision Ethiopia