1 / 10 | “The goal is to plant 50,000 trees”: Para La Naturaleza reinforces reforestation after months of drought and forest fires. Para La Naturaleza distributed native, endemic and fruit trees to promote reforestation in Puerto Rico. – Photo Supplied
After a season characterized by an increase in forest fires and in what broad regions they were in extreme drought, For Nature This Saturday it celebrated its fourth day of free tree distribution, as part of the initiative The Sowingaimed at exceeding half of its goal by October and seeking to continue increasing the culture of planting for reforest to Puerto Rico.
From Wednesday to Friday, the organization had already delivered the initial 21,000 trees, at its six meeting points, where people could take up to four units..
“The goal is (to plant) 50,000 trees. This is a whole month’s effort.. We are in the phase of individuals. Next week, the collaborators’ phase comes and the last one is for the employees who are heading towards the national sowing, which will be on October 24. After that date, we will know if we exceed the goal,” he said. Erick Carrero Berriosreforestation coordinator of the Para La Naturaleza nursery in the Northern Botanical Garden of Río Piedras.
At this station, more than 5,000 trees had already been delivered as of 11:00 am, including urban species. Hannied Diaz Georke, reforestation officer and volunteers, highlighted that the “querendones” were the downpour (Brunfelsia densifolia) and the broom Saint Joseph (Poitea florida). Both had exhausted themselves before the last distribution shift ended.
“I see people very motivated to plant and they come with a lot of curiosity.. Although they have limited space, they are looking for what to do to be able to plant. Over time, I think the culture of planting has been lost and that is what we are trying to rescue, so that people lose their fear of dealing with plants and the earth. Let them know that, even though we are in an urban space, with what we have, we can plant, even if it is in a pot or a planter,” he shared.
Since the pandemic COVID-19In 2020, the organization has been celebrating its massive delivery of trees to reforest the country, affected in the last decade by multiple atmospheric events. Although they regularly carried them out in a “servicarro” style, this year, they decided to make stations so that the participants would have more time to receive guidance on the care they should give to the endemic, native and fruit trees that were distributed.
In addition to the North Botanical Garden, citizens could go to the Hacienda La Esperanza Natural Reserve (Manatí), the Las Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve (Fajardo), La Guancha (Ponce), the Centroamericano Stadium (Mayagüez) and the Barranquitas Nursery. At each point, species adjusted to the conditions of the region were distributed.
Until July, the Fire Department Bureau had attended 1,113 forest fires, a figure that exceeded the 1,024 cases recorded, for that same date, last year, as a result of extreme heat.
For La Naturaleza, it even participated in the mitigation meetings held by the administration of the Botanical Garden, which recorded two forest fires, on August 21 and September 4, affecting residents of urbanizations. surrounding
“It is proven that, when we reforest, trees can lower (temperature) up to 10 degrees (Fahrenheit) and feed the aquifers. The trees that we are encouraging to plant are endemic and native, which resist, due to their physiology, atmospheric events and drought events.. They accumulate water and that is very important,” Carrero Berríos highlighted.
Pilar Bernard Sáncheza resident of University Gardens in Río Piedras, has been planting the trees donated by the entity for years. “I took two of María’s trees (Calophyllum antillanum). I love it. I am always planting, although the space is small, I continue doing it,” said the 78-year-old from San Juan.