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:: AIR's
Main Activities: reforestation
Reforestation Nurseries
The
establishment of permanent tree nurseries is the keystone of AIR’s work.
The aim of the nursery projects is to train community groups to take over
the process of reforestation and conservation of their land. In order to
accomplish this, AIR assists community groups as they organize committees,
and then provides them with all the knowledge and tools they need to
establish and maintain tree nurseries. The community groups are directly
responsible for project activities—planting seeds, caring for the saplings,
maintaining the nurseries and transplanting the trees. In this way, the
community members are empowered to continue with the work after AIR staff
move on to new villages.
 Reforestation Facts
AIR has established tree nurseries and trained farmers in over 75 villages,
and we regularly add more, which produce more than 200,000 trees per
year.
Because the residents only have limited access to land, and they must
farm the land for food, reforesting in
Central America is complicated. For this reason, AIR has identified
species of trees which are not only good for reforestation, but are also
compatible for intercropping and beneficial to the communities. AIR staff
help farmers design Sustainable agriculture systems in their own
fields that include as many trees as possible—trees such as aliso or
leucaena that fertilize the crops naturally and also prevent soil
erosion, and are extremely fast-growing. Other examples of beneficial trees
are fruit trees that provide a much-needed source of nutrition, and the
Gravilea trees which can be planted together with coffee crops to
provide the needed shade.
Fruit Trees and Ornamentals
AIR staff train community members on production and grafting techniques for
a variety of fruit trees and native decorative trees. Oftentimes,
community members choose to start micro-businesses to sell fruit trees and
fruit products and decorative trees—AIR even has a small store they can
use! AIR believes that if tree nurseries become income-generating, the
communities will have an added incentive to continue reforestation
programs.
Medicinal Plants
In 1997, AIR began a project to grow medicinal plants, to combat stomach
problems, colds, and other common illnesses. Using the knowledge of the
Mayan women, AIR has been able to establish a dozen medicinal gardens.
Related Links:
Building Fuel-Efficient Stoves
Educational Activities
Farmer Training
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