Reforestation and Agroforestry
Background
In the region, 85% of the population lives in poverty and subsistence agriculture is the primary activity. Unfortunately, trees are being cut down at an alarming rate to clear land for agriculture and for firewood. This not only leads to a loss of forest habitat, it also reduces soil nutrients, water table levels, and water quality.
EcoLogic and the Alliance are working together to promote forest stewardship in the communities and reforest degraded areas in the region.
Project Description
This project has two components:
- Agroforestry - establishment of agroforestry plots, incorporating native trees into agricultural lands.
- Reforestation - construction of plant nurseries, production of seedlings, and the planting of seedlings to reforest degraded areas, especially around waterways.
Progress
Since 2005, EcoLogic and its partners have successfully organized the Alliance and the leaders within the communities. Since the beginning of the program, 160,500 trees have been planted, 336 acres have been reforested, and 25 acres of agroforestry plots have been established. There are about 80 community leaders and 360 women working on various reforestation projects that benefit 127 communities.
Partner
The Northern Border Municipalities Alliance is a coalition of seven municipalities in the Departments of Huehuetenango and Quiché that was incorporated in 2005 by their mayors, with support from EcoLogic, to promote forest stewardship. The Executive Committee of the Alliance oversees project execution and the chair of the Committee is its legal representative.