Panama Tropical Reforestation

The project purpose is defined by the Project Proponents as to develop a commercial reforestation project, socially good and environmentally friendly with the Teak species (Tectona grandis L.) motivated by the benefits of the species such as: Fast growth, resistant to pests and high commercial value of its wood in the national and international market. Furthermore, it is stipulated that these plantations are to be certified under a Voluntary Carbon Market certification scheme with the intent of producing carbon credits while creating climate impact. The farms in question have been subject to logging of commercially valuable species since the 1970s. Subsequently, during the colonization of East Panama (Cañitas-Tortí 1970’s and 1980’s), the lands have been deforested and gradually degraded by repetitive slash-and-burn processes and conversion to pasture. At the time of reforestation, the vegetation cover of the farms includes wooded pastures with native and improved grasses, as well as areas of stubble mostly in their different stages of development between 1-5 years of age. The only economic activity has been extensive cattle ranching in pasture areas. Furthermore, the project aims to improve the livelihoods of local populations, in special regards to women head-of-family, by incrementing their participation in the activities. The tree nurseries, a central piece to the plantations, aims to hire only women under this description, providing also training in several areas to ensure a stable income and tangible professional progression. The project is also committed to the conservation of endangered wildlife. There is evidence that the project area is transverse by wild fauna currently part of the IUCN Red List, collected by using trap cameras. The aim of the carbon certification is to create conditions to expand the program to monitor this wildlife as part of the conservation effort. The project may assume additional activities to improve the wildlife presence in the area.