Haiti: Tackling Deforestation Through Agroforestry & Mangrove Planting
Just 1% of Haiti’s primary forests remain, making it among the most deforested countries in the world. It’s feared that by 2035 Haiti could have lost all of its primary forest, which would cause devastation to communities and mass extinction of native bird, reptile, insect and amphibian species.
Widespread deforestation is a critical concern in Haiti and poses a serious threat to the lives of Haitian citizens.
The projects we support in Haiti focus on two main means of reforestation: mangrove planting on the coast in Southern Haiti, and planting agroforestry and fruit species inland in Southeast Haiti. Both projects help to tackle the huge impact deforestation is having across Haiti, largely due to charcoal production, the consequence of which has been devastating.
Southern Haiti: Mangrove reforestation & restoration
Mangrove trees are essential for protecting shorelines from environmental shocks like flooding and storms. They help protect coastal communities from the devastation environmental disasters can cause, while acting as barriers to erosion.
They also contribute to restoring and maintaining ocean health. By planting mangroves in Southern Haiti, we are helping to stabilise shorelines and reduce erosion, while protecting the coastal species whose habitats are threatened.
With huge-scale mangrove reforestation and restoration projects happening across the coast of Southern Haiti we are hopeful for the future of Haiti’s forests, communities, wildlife and biodiversity.
Southeast Haiti: Planting agroforestry species
Agroforestry is a land management approach that combines trees with crop & livestock farming systems. The ecological devastation to much of Haiti has led to flooding & soil erosion amongst other devastations, so by introducing agroforestry trees to local communities, the local people are provided with food security and protection against watersheds.
The projects we support ensure that the techniques, tools and trees used to introduce agroforestry to these communities are taught to the local farmers, who can continue to protect and feed their communities through agroforestry. With citrus, mango, papaya and moringa trees amongst other native fruit tree species being planted in abundance, the food security of Haitian communities is less threatened every day.
In a nutshell, this project is:
Tackling climate change with huge scale tree-planting across large areas
Teaching agroforestry to local farmers
Addressing deforestation on a huge scale
Restoring & maintaining ocean health through mangrove tree planting
Promoting food & poverty alleviation across the country