Dereje Abi (PhD)Zemenu Mintesnot2025-07-252025-07-252024-05https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/5677This study explores the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices, challenges, and prospects of United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded landscape restoration projects in Ethiopia. Landscape restoration projects aim to address critical environmental challenges, including land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate resilience. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews involving M&E, environmental, natural resource management, biodiversity, and geographic information system (GIS) experts from nine USAID-funded projects. Findings reveal that while M&E practices are well-established, the integration of findings into adaptive management remains underutilized. The study highlights the increasing adoption of digital technologies such as GIS but notes significant underutilization of advanced technologies like remote sensing, artificial intelligence/machine learning and unmanned aerial vehicles. Key challenges include external factors such as political instability, geographic inaccessibility of intervention areas, complex environmental indicators, and inadequate baseline data. Enhanced stakeholder collaboration, the adoption of advanced technologies and capacity building, are identified as opportunities to improve M&E frameworks. Recommendations include scaling up technology use, strengthening stakeholder coordination through a centralized database, and providing targeted training for M&E teams to ensure sustainable and impactful landscape restoration efforts. Key Words: Monitoring and evaluation, landscape restoration, environment, advanced technologiesen-USThesis