In 1989, the Reforestation Project was initiated by a group of individuals including teachers and Spanish language students from I.C.A. It is financially supported by I.C.A. and helps the Quetzaltenango community. We have worked together with the assistance of public school students, sawmill owners and the municipality to organize reforestation campaigns.
ICAmigos was alerted by several national and local environmental problems including high rates of deforestation, erosion of the forests, the cutting of trees for firewood and building, forest fires, and the changing of wooded mountainous areas to deserts due to excessive logging for profit. In spite of all these problems, the local and national authorities have not devoted much attention to solving this problem.
The project takes place in a nursery located in Labor San José, in Zone 9 of Quetzaltenango, about two kilometers from the center of the city. The coordinator of this project is a Guatemalan who works with ICAmigos and has a team of full-time and part-time workers. The project's mission is to raise 200,000 local species of trees every year, including the Alder, Cypress, Pine, Eucalyptus, Lang Oak, Peruvian Pepper Tree and the Guatemalan Fir. Since 1989, the following people have participated in this project: teachers and students from I.C.A., full-time and part-time workers, indigenous Mayans, and school groups.
During our 20 years of service in reforestation, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of tree nurseries. There is a greater interest in the role of the community in participation (individually and collectively) and planting. There is also a higher level of involvement by the mass media.
Achievements:
To walk in the mountains in areas that were reforested 5-15 years ago gives us great satisfaction. To see “our” trees standing tall, green, and healthy is one of the best achievements we have.
Of the thousands of trees that we have planted in the past fifteen years, 80% have survived thanks to the maintenance they have received from our volunteers. The most obvious benefits have been: oxygen production, less erosion, new habitats for flora and fauna, a general improvement in the appearance and beauty of the mountains, and a source for present and future employment.
We work with the Benedictine Church in three concession areas in the municipalities of Quetzaltenango and Olintepeque. Together, with incentive from the government forestry organization PINFOR, we participate in this reforestation.
This year, PINFOR and I.C.A. worked together to plant 79,000 trees.
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