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Day 17

3.75 m² of forest are planted and sustainably maintained in Nicaragua

Social Reforestation – New forests for climate, nature and people Social Reforestation – New forests for climate, nature and people

3.75 m² of forest are planted and sustainably maintained in Nicaragua
Day 17
New trees in the fight against climate change and deforestation in Nicaragua

Maria Elisa Gonzales and her four children live mainly from the food they produce themselves. They can also earn a few extra dollars by selling some agricultural products to buy clothes and other food. However, agricultural yields are continuing to decline due to erosion. Thanks to our project, Maria Elisa Gonzales has already been able to plant over 3,000 new trees. And the first positive results are already visible: erosion is decreasing and payments for the care of the trees give the family additional income with which they can buy food, clothing and school supplies for the four children. "We hope that this good project continues to grow and that even more small farmers can take part."

New trees in the fight against climate change and deforestation in Nicaragua
need
Additional forest as a climate protection measure and to promote and support regional small farmers in Nicaragua.
activity
Local NGO supports tree nurseries and pays for the care of the trees. Small farmers are also trained in how to practice sustainable forestry and build wood-saving stoves.
Measurable performance
Number of seedlings that could be grown for planting
Result
Number of tonnes of CO₂ saved by planting the trees
Systemically relevant impact
In the long term, the project will restore ecosystems and improve the living and income conditions of the local population. There will be an improvement in air quality, water regime and soil quality. Biodiversity will increase.
background

After Haiti, Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Latin America: 42.5% of the population of Nicaragua lives in poverty (2 US dollars or less per day), and the illiteracy rate is 7.5% (Federal Foreign Office, 2012). Around 70% of the rural population lives in poverty. The region in which our reforestation project is located is also heavily affected by poverty. Cotton cultivation is a major cause of poverty and deforestation. In the 1950s, large areas of forest were cleared for cotton plantations. When the price of cotton collapsed on the world market in the 1980s, the region became impoverished and an ecological disaster was left behind. The region has been affected by erosion since then and the soil has been poisoned by the excessive use of pesticides. What remains is a landscape that is in danger of devastation and has only a few small remnants of halfway intact nature.
New forests can restore ecological balance to this landscape and make this region livable again. In addition, new trees protect existing agricultural land from erosion and drying out and themselves provide a source of sustainable development.
Our Limay project is a reforestation initiative that is being carried out together with the local population of the municipality of San
Juan de Limay, in Esteli, Nicaragua. We are convinced that the long-term preservation of the forests is only possible if the local population supports the project and experiences the benefits themselves. Our local project partner, Taking Root, is working with small farmers in this project to reforest unused pieces of land. Better land use and sustainable forestry will increase the proportion of forest and sustainably improve the quality of life in this region.
Our goal is to use reforestation as a tool to restore the ecosystem, create sources of income and combat climate change. Social reforestation stands for holistic sustainability: economics, ecology and social issues are three equally strong pillars on which the project is based.

San Juan de Limay, Esteli Department, Nicaragua
Day 17 Day 17
The good deed

The trees are planted on unused land and generate additional income, create jobs and increase agricultural productivity. Since forestry only leads to additional income in the long term, a concept was developed that also has a medium and short-term effect and promotes innovation: Short-term: interest-free loans for small farmers, payments for ecosystem services, introduction of wood-saving stoves. Medium-term: production of firewood, fruit harvesting from planted fruit trees. Long-term: construction timber for personal use, development of sustainable forestry with native tree species, sale of timber and increased income.

AboutNicaragua
Managua
Managua
Capital city
6071045
6071045
Population
1,851.11 USD
1,851.11 USD
Gross domestic product per capita per year
129
129
Human Development Index (Human Development Index)

The biodiversity in Nicaragua is quite large: the rainforests are home to jaguars, pumas, ocelots, various species of monkeys and reptiles such as alligators and snakes.
About the organization and further information

organization

PrimaKlima -weltweit- eV

DZI Donation Seal Initiative Transparent Civil Society

Further links