Across Africa, communities are working to restore and manage natural environments like mangroves, grazing lands, and urban green spaces in response to growing climate change threats. These efforts involve decisions guided by climate-related information from governments, researchers, and funding organizations. A study conducted by researchers looking into ecosystem restoration and the relationship between people, their livelihoods, and the environment interviewed 530 individuals involved in nature-based projects in five African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, and South Africa. These projects aim to protect and restore ecosystems in a sustainable way. The participants included community members, government officials, NGOs, researchers, and others whose work ranged from conserving forests and wetlands to practicing sustainable agriculture and urban greening. Their efforts also included campaigns against overfishing and deforestation, planting native trees, managing livestock, and removing invasive plant species. In South Africa’s uMzimvubu catchment in the Eastern Cape, smallholder farmers who graze their sheep on communal lands are part of grazing associations, which are nature-based initiatives supporting rural livelihoods. These associations provide farmers with information on how to manage their rangelands in a sustainable way. In Madagascar, a local community nursery grows mangrove seedlings to replant damaged coastal forests. The research explored how people use information about past, present, and future climate conditions in their work. Respondents were asked to rank what improvements they wanted in existing climate services and what new services they would like. The findings showed a strong desire for improved existing services and new, community-specific services that combine weather and seasonal forecasts with information about land, water, livelihoods, and local knowledge. Climate information in the countries studied is currently delivered through mobile phones, websites, TV, and radio. More than half of the people interviewed wanted better versions of the information they already use, indicating that current services need to be tailored to better meet the needs of different communities and locations. Over 80% of respondents said existing climate services had limitations, with one major issue being the lack of integration between Indigenous and local knowledge and formal climate services. In Turkana, Kenya, for example, traditional weather predictors known as Emuron use local practices to forecast extreme weather events, but these are not connected to formal climate services. Many respondents said that climate information was either difficult to access or arrived too late. Internet-based services are not always suitable in areas where people can’t afford mobile data, have unreliable internet, or lack smartphones. Technical reports also needed to be simpler or explained in person by experts. Existing community networks and trusted local leaders could help by receiving information through formal channels and then sharing it more widely. More than 60% of the people surveyed said there is a need for stronger climate literacy, including understanding climate change, knowing which services are available, and having the skills to interpret and use the information effectively. People wanted new, locally relevant climate services that combine forecasts with data on river flow, soil moisture, vegetation, and fire conditions. For example, a farmer managing grazing land would want to know how rainfall and soil moisture would affect the availability of forage. People also wanted climate forecasts combined with local social, health, and economic information, such as how rainfall might influence animal health, livestock diseases, and the movement of people and animals. Respondents wanted information tailored to their specific community, ward, or municipality, rather than general regional warnings. This included identifying areas at high risk of flooding and what actions people should take. They wanted more climate information delivered through mobile phones, community radio, and through organized networks, social media, and messaging apps. These channels should work together so that those who can access and understand the information can share it with others. They also wanted more visual content, such as illustrations, animations, and videos, with accompanying figures and written explanations. While many already used services related to heat, droughts, and floods, they wanted these improved. They also saw opportunities for new services providing warnings about extreme heat and cold, erosion, landslides, wind, and fires. Ninety-one percent of respondents said new climate services must include Indigenous and local knowledge, including traditional forecasting methods. In Turkana, people suggested that local seers meet with scientists to explain their forecasting methods and co-develop new services. Others emphasized the importance of using local languages and terms, which requires ongoing collaboration between local knowledge holders, scientists, and climate service providers, not just one-off meetings. The innovation people wanted was not just more technical tools, but better ways of integrating different types of knowledge, people, and technology. The study shows that creating useful climate information requires more than just asking people what they need. Scientists, climate information providers, local users, and Indigenous knowledge holders need time and support to regularly meet, share knowledge, and develop the information together. Governments and funders must support this work, not just the final products like forecasts, maps, or tools. For example, governments and development funders could cover costs such as travel, community meetings, translation, training, and ongoing collaboration, especially in areas where local organizations lack the resources. This approach ensures that climate information reflects local knowledge and helps people make practical decisions.