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| Population: |
7,656,166 |
| Situation: |
Despite having some of the hemisphere’s
worst deforestation and environmental degradation, we have seen
first hand that trees can grow extremely well in Haiti, as it has two good rainy seasons. |
| Our Project: |
Trees for the Future is working with
Partners of the Americas, several Peace Corps Volunteers,
religious organizations, and local environmental groups in
all regions of Haiti. Deforestation and soil degradation is
rampant throughout the country, especially in the desolate
central plateau.
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| Previous
reports: |
2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 |
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| Once known
as “The Pearl of the Antilles,” Haiti is now the most
environmentally-degraded and poverty
stricken country in the Americas. Its 11,000 square miles are virtually
barren of protective tree cover. Deforestation is causing a decline
in soil fertility, extensive flooding, and depleted groundwater supplies. Recent hurricanes have caused major destruction, not only from their
winds, but from raging currents of water racing down the bare
slopes. Our direct response to this is to help Haitian farmers integrate
agroforestry technologies into their mountainside crop fields. |
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| Current Participants:
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Trees for the Future
(TREES) is actively supporting numerous local agricultural development
efforts in Haiti, including support for Partners of the Americas
(Partners) projects. TREES is also supporting projects by Peace
Corps Volunteers, including technology for SPA grants, assistance
to start tree nurseries, and information on integrated pest management,
sustainable gardening, and agroforestry design. In 2003-2004, TREES
distributed over sixty (60) kilograms of tree seeds to introduce
technology for woodlots, animal fodder, contour planting and soil
conservation and invested 37 days of on-site technical support for
Partners’ projects.
We now are working with numerous organizations to establish a number
of demonstration sites throughout the country. The sites for potential
training sites are marked by yellow dots in the map.
It shows Terrier Rouge, Perches, Plaisance, Bois de Lance, Dondon,
and Limonade, the prime prospects for agroforestry training sites
in the North/Northeast regions, as well as other potential places.
In Perches, we are working with the agricultural school to establish
a two-hectare demonstration site. This site contains buildings associated
with the school, though protection from animals is a problem. In
Terrier Rouge we are aiding a local group to establish a 45 hectare
agroforestry farm, complete with woodlots, windbreaks, and vegetable
gardens. |
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| In the North Region,
we are planning to work in the communities of Bois de Lance and Dondon.
The needs of the different communities are rather diverse in this
region. The community in Bois de Lance is looking for a system that
will maximize their vegetable production on a hectare plot in the
center of the community. Bois de Lance is already involved with backyard
gardens, aquaculture, but an agroforestry system is necessary to support
year round production and a growing population of rabbits they are
raising for sale. The mountain-top community of Dondon needs an training
site to address water erosion, coffee production, and sustainable
charcoal production. The community of Dondon is currently beginning
a tree nursery. |
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In the East
region, we are beginning to help the community of Vallue to
establish agroforestry demonstration sites that will show
how contour plantings with the proper species can supply numerous
opportunities for income generating activities while combating
the areas high water erosion. In Vallue the contour plantings
are of utmost importance.
A backyard garden and tree nursery |
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In the Central
Region, we plan to work in Sodo with technician Gabriel Poupoulaye,
and his community group called MKASS, in establishing agroforestry
demonstration sites that are suited for highly deforested
uplands in the central plateau.
A nursery in Vallue |
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| Association
Paysannes de Vallue (APV) |
| More information coming
soon. |
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| Edem
Foundation |
PROJECT VISION and SITE:
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Community training center in Maissade |
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DEVELOPMENT SCHEME: |
Starting with tree planting to develop a community center
to train the community in sustainable farming, agroforestry,
animal production, and aquaculture. |
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CURRENT STATE: |
Currently fencing 10 acres and drilling wells for solar water
pump. |
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WHAT WE NEED: |
Info on biodegester and aqua ponds, Material to build a storage,
Technical guidance to start tree nursery, More information about
moringa and leucana in french or kreyol, Information on making
powder for mothers from moringa leaves, Advantage of Moringa
leaves, Video presentation on Moringa and Leucana |
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WHAT WE CAN OFFER: |
Can compile all info into a database on the web, Offer web
services for non-profit to support project, Exhange programs
between youths in the different communities |
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NEXT TRIP TO HAITI: |
coming soon |
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| Gerard
Joseph, Plaissance |
| More information coming
soon. |
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| Contour plantings with
vetiver,
napier grass, and Leucaena trees |
Eroded mountains in southern
haiti |
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| The
Haitian Institute |
PROJECT VISION and SITE:
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To establish the 1804 Memorial Garden in Arcahaie
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DEVELOPMENT SCHEME: |
To divide the 15 acres into different sections that show the
diversity of Haitian flora, various land use techniques, complete
with paths, a library complex and areas for workshops. |
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CURRENT STATE: |
Suveying the water and soil at the proposed site. Collecting
technical info on botanic garden establishment and sustainable
land use technicques such as agroforestry, composting, and the
forest garden. 2004-2005: Ground breaking and initial tree planting |
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WHAT WE NEED: |
Need a way to irrigate 15 land, seeds and bolbs of appropriate
plant/tree/flower species. General funding for landscaping and
construction. |
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WHAT WE CAN OFFER: |
coming soon |
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NEXT TRIP TO HAITI: |
coming soon |
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| The
Laroche Family |
PROJECT VISION and SITE:
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A sustainable farm in La Vallee des Jacmel |
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DEVELOPMENT SCHEME: |
coming soon |
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CURRENT STATE: |
coming soon |
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WHAT WE NEED: |
coming soon |
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WHAT WE CAN OFFER: |
coming soon |
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NEXT TRIP TO HAITI: |
coming soon |
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Rains from recent hurricanes
have swept villages away |
Deforestation has allowed
recent tragedies to unfold |
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| Lesly
Grandin, Agricultural Engineer |
PROJECT VISION and SITE:
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Implementing environmental and health projects
around Belladere in the Central Plateau. |
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DEVELOPMENT SCHEME: |
coming soon |
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CURRENT STATE: |
coming soon |
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WHAT WE NEED: |
coming soon |
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WHAT WE CAN OFFER: |
coming soon |
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NEXT TRIP TO HAITI: |
coming soon |
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| MKASS
Gabby Poupoulte, Sodo |
| On February 18, 2003,
MKASS was formed by Gabrielle Papouloute (pictured on right), a local
Haitian interested in the reforestation, and Megan Affrunti, a Peace
Corps Volunteer in Sodo. Although this rural, mountain community situated
in the Central Plateau region of Haiti is significantly more forested
than other regions, the zone suffers from deforestation and massive
erosion. |
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| The 80 members of MKASS
are interested in attempting to create better irrigation systems and
correcting the environmental degradation that has taken place around
the hundred foot (100 ft) sacred waterfall after which their community
Saut d'Eau (written Sodo in Creole) is named. The waterfall is a very
spiritual area that attracts about 10,000 visitors yearly. A well-known
story in Haitian history says that the Virgin Mary appeared above
the waterfall and blessed its waters. |
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| Historically, Catholic
and voodoo pilgrims, as well as international tourists, come to bathe
in its curative waters and pray to various spirits. MKASS members
fear that without an immediate effort, this once green, beautiful
area will lose its value as a tourist attraction and spiritual mecca.
A loss of tourists would be devastating to the economy of Sodo as
they are a major source of income for restaurants, hotels, discos,
churches and vendors. |
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| MKASS has begun a tree
nursery consisting of Moringa and Leucaena seeds donated by TREES.
We seek to plant about 10,000 trees to combat the erosion that is
plaguing the area and to beautify the zone. Using techniques learned
by TREES and other technicians, we are dedicated to reversing the
effects of deforestation around the waterfall. We would like to thank
TREES for their seeds and wonderful support in helping us to "Sove
Sodo." |
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| Starfish
Ministries |
TREES is also helping
Starfish
Ministries’ orphanage in Tricotte, Haiti, to plant well
over 20,000 trees this year. The orphanage’s leaders plan to
use the trees to establish a sustainable supply of fuelwood and a
protected woodlot for a sustainable supply of certified tree  seeds.
We gave Starfish Ministries over two (2) kilograms of seeds of fast-growing,
multipurpose trees, training materials, and technical training. The
kids took it from there. They are outplanting thousands of trees as
you read this!
Best of all, their work will be able to be sustained for years to
come. Inside the orphanage they will grow their own source of high-quality
seeds and will use our barestem method of planting.
The barestem method eliminates problems with transporting heavy, soil-laden
sacks. Using barestem seedlings, each kid can easily carry fifty trees
at a time. The technique makes planting simple enough that the orphanage
will be able to continue community aforestation for years to come.
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PROJECT VISION and SITE:
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coming soon |
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DEVELOPMENT SCHEME: |
coming soon |
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CURRENT STATE: |
coming soon |
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WHAT WE NEED: |
Contacts in Haiti -- where to buy supplies, seeds, etc.
Money to get small agricultural business started (farming, coal
production, firewood sales, etc). seeds -- specifically moringa
drilling equipment for wells -- we would like to install a well
in each of the villages we are working in. Pumps - gas pumps
to pump water up from rivers to seedbeds / gardens. Technical
guidance for producing seeds that can be sold on the open (international)
market. |
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WHAT WE CAN OFFER: |
Right now we only have some step by step pictures on how to
create a tree nursery. In the near future we will able to offer
seedlings of Leuceana and eventually Moringa - next year and
after that we will have a local source of Leucaena and Moringa
seeds. We have a technician or two at the orphanage who can
help in training about seeding / growing trees and other crops. |
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NEXT TRIP TO HAITI: |
coming soon |
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| Tarna
Foundation |
PROJECT VISION and SITE:
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Dondon |
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DEVELOPMENT SCHEME: |
coming soon |
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CURRENT STATE: |
coming soon |
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WHAT WE NEED: |
Money for aquaponic system construction including; drilling
equipment, pumps, plant beds, plastic tanks for fish, pvc pipes
etc. seeds, fish. |
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WHAT WE CAN OFFER: |
We can offer mahogany seeds (swietenia macrophylla) now and
when up and running seedlings of all kinds and make seedling
per requests and fish also technical advice for setting up aquaponics
systems. |
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NEXT TRIP TO HAITI: |
coming soon |
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| The Tarna
project's mahogany forest |
John after having trained
a small group in the
establishment of contour plantings |
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| Terrier
Rouge Christian Youth Group |
PROJECT VISION and SITE:
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To create a viable, sustainable farm on 40 hectares
in Terrier Rouge |
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DEVELOPMENT SCHEME: |
Section off areas of land for woodlots and vegetable production. |
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CURRENT STATE: |
Currently building a living fence around the land and ready
to initiate tree planting. Currently drilling wells. |
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WHAT WE NEED: |
coming soon |
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WHAT WE CAN OFFER: |
coming soon |
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NEXT TRIP TO HAITI: |
coming soon |
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Haiti
Statistics 
