:: 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