Fighting Extreme Poverty Through Tree Planting
Eden Reforestation Projects is on a mission to combat deforestation by employing local communities to plant trees, providing an empowering means to alleviate extreme poverty through environmental stewardship.
Reforesting a burned area in Las Jagüillas, Muralla III.
Why restore in Honduras?
Between 2011 and 2015, Honduras lost 500,000 hectares (nearly 2,000 sq. miles, 5,000 sq. kilometers) of forest due to an infestation of disease-carrying pine beetles. The destruction of forests caused water tables to run low, protected areas to lose valuable biodiversity, and surrounding communities to lose jobs. By working directly with local communities to reforest these regions, our team is helping restore the water supply, create a natural habitat for local wildlife, and provide communities with job opportunities and resources to build up their economy.
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1.26 million hectares of forest destroyed over the span of 20 year
- 48% of Honduras live below the poverty line, as of 2018
Pine beetle damage in Tigra I.How we started
In 2020, we began working with communities in Honduras with the long-term goal of restoring 50,000 hectares (193 sq. miles, 500 sq. kilometers) by 2025. By reforesting degraded regions with native tree species, we will contribute to generating sustainable economic opportunities for communities to restore and protect large forest areas, which will help preserve the watershed and biodiversity at our project sites.
Hiking a steep 30-45° slope to the Tigra I planting site.
Where we're working
Tropical moist forest & tropical rainforest
- Reforesting degraded cloud forests in Olancho
- Moist and tropical forests help maintain healthy water sources
- Home to hundreds of native and endemic tree species
Tropical dry forest
- Helping restore forests that have been devastated by slash-and-burn agriculture
- Planting native, deciduous trees
- Helping ensure food security for local communities
Tropical mountain system
- Reforesting in mixed pine and oak forests
- Our teams plant native species, including Honduras’ national tree, Pinus oocarpa
- Helping maintain a habitat for local wildlife.
Our team is working to restore this hillside at La Mora.
Our progress to date
Our 10 project sites in Honduras use multiple restoration techniques, such as seedlings and singling, to help restore over 11,000 hectares (46 sq. miles, 120 sq. kilometers) of land while helping local communities achieve food security and a fair wage. Over the last two years, our team has been able to identify how each species best germinates, ensuring long-term forest growth.
- 11,230+ hectares under management
- 120+ individuals employed in underserved geographies
