The Trees

Fall 2008 Sower

2008-10-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

The Fall 2008 Sower is now online. (And in a cool new format, too!)

Highlights include:

Sharing Success – looking back on the last Fiscal Year
Photo Essay: Floresta Farmers Plant with Purpose
Village Spotlight: Malindi
Volunteer of the Quarter: Nathan Lack

Floresta Announces $56,000 Matching Grant for Hurricane Relief

2008-10-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

A generous donor has given us a matching grant for $56,000 towards Haiti relief. Any donations made for Haiti hurricane relief (up to $56,000) will be matched dollar for dollar.

Donate now to hurricane relief in Haiti

Hurricane Update from Floresta Haiti - 2

2008-10-01T16:06:00.000-07:00

Floresta has been working with Guy Paraison to determine how best to meet the immediate and medium term needs in the 35 communities where we work near Grand Colline.

We plan to buy seed for replanting for 1500 families, animals for those who have lost livestock, and reconstruct lost soil erosion measures. $88,000 will be needed for the most urgent needs and $130,000 will go for reconstruction of anti erosion barriers and tree planting.

Here is his most recent update.

We think we need to put more emphasis on prevention because where the conservation works is strong, the damages were less. Now in Haiti everything is emergency. People need to eat now and to reconstitute their productive stockholders. Instead of thinking some bags of rice to distribute quickly the staff is trying to get sustainable action. People are going to invest the money of the cooperative to plants and buy animals. …I know the majority of the groups where Floresta works more than half of the members are victims. On four groups surveyed, 86 members have lost 33 pigs, 199 goats, 15 cows, 271 farms plots, 15 sheep, 3 houses, 3 donkeys, 5 horses, 200 chickens, 25 turkeys.

Hurricane Update from Floresta Haiti

2008-09-16T17:22:00.000-07:00

From our Haiti Director:

Floresta Ayiti is very worried about the future of the Haitian people, in particular the farmer with we are working with. People are hopeless, looking any sign of the authorities. Everyone is focused in Gonaives and Cabaret. People assimulate Floresta to the government because every day we receive letters from farmers who ask direct assistance from Floresta to fix their houses. Unfortunately we cannot afford to do anything. This is for the first time that consecutive storms touch all the area in the country. A lot of structures in the protected watersheds [areas where coordinated reforestation and soil conservation was applied] are severely damaged. I think the proposal submitted could be a relievement for the farmers. Now, I am preparing data about the lost estimated by Floresta members. When it will be ready I will send to you a report by category.

Guy Paraison

Map of hurricanes.

2008-09-16T16:30:00.001-07:00

ReliefWeb has an excellent map showing the paths of the four storms through Haiti along with an estimate of damages by Department.

Floresta has work in Sud-Est and Ouest Departments with a smaller project in Nord.

Here is a part of the map with the places we work indicated on it in blue.

Emergency Relief Needed for Haiti Hurricane Victims

2008-09-16T13:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
For many years Floresta has worked in Haiti to assist poor farmers to feed their families and care for their land. Yet more and more, devastating storms ravage villages and undo hard-won improvements. Below are several posts that tell the most recent story of devastation from hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

This week we got news from Floresta-supported villages as to the damage caused by Hurricane Ike. Over 300,000 have been affected by these storms, which have killed over 300 people. Thousands who have lost everything are turning to Floresta’s local field staff for desperately needed help. What is especially moving is that, because Floresta has worked in this area for over ten years, the people are looking to Floresta’s staff for leadership and assistance.

Floresta’s staff is preparing to respond by providing emergency aid. This is an exceptionally urgent opportunity for us to be able to demonstrate our care for people in the midst of their suffering.

We would be very grateful if you could help us get the world out about this need and opportunity to help the Haitian people. If you go to our website you can give directly to this effort, providing life-saving relief to those in need. All funds given will be used solely for the relief effort.

Thank you for your compassion and partnership with us!

Sincerely,

Doug Satre,

Haiti- Current Crisis vs. Long-term Solutions

2008-09-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

Many of us saw videos on the news last week of Haitians scrambling for food relief in the aftermath of the recent hurricane. Unfortunately, these scenes tend to repeat themselves year after year. This short article highlights some of the challenges working towards long-term solutions in Haiti, where a frequent stream of emergencies dominate the news headlines and where long-term solutions are complex and less likely to make the news. It's a good snapshot of why Floresta works the way we do. The last line sums it up pretty well!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20080915/wl_csm/ohaiti_1

Ike - Dominican Republic Update 2

2008-09-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

From Floresta's Dominican Director:

Storms Ike and Hanna caused losses in many Floresta communities such as La Yautia (bananas, plantains, yucca, and leek crops), Juan Adrian (they damaged the structure of the vegetable greenhouse); in Tocoa they damaged the passion fruit, cocoa, and timber crops; in La Lenora they damaged the crops of pigeon peas, corn and yucca.

In the zones of Hormigo, La Lomita, Reparadero, Maizal, La Represa, El Aguacero and La Joya, the storms affected the flowering of the cocoa, which will reduce their production by 40%. Also, the rising of the rivers damaged the bridges which remain impassable.

The farmers are afraid they will be delayed in repaying their loans from Floresta because their incomes have diminished and their health is affected by pinkeye, fever, leptospirosis and contaminated water.

Carlos

Ike - Dominican Update

2008-09-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

From Floresta's Dominican Director:

I am certain that the prayers of Floresta USA made it possible that hurricanes Hanna and Ike did not cause major damage to the Dominican Republic.

Thank you so much for your invaluable support in the hour of danger. The strong winds affected the production of greenhouse vegetables in the southern region of the country. They also affected the construction of a greenhouse that we support in Juan Adrian. The rains continue and the people are taking protective measures. The Dominican Government has sent humanitarian aid in the form of doctors that were sent to today to Haiti, a country that has been severely affected.

Blessings,
Carlos

Gustav & Hanna - Dominican Update

2008-09-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Floresta friends,

We are threaten by a dangerous storm. Hanna departs the country leaving behind damage to the road, electric grid and flooding. The region where Floresta works has not received incurred as much damage as the northeast region of the country.

We need your prayers so that God may calm the fury of the winds. May God bless you and thank you for your concerns.

Carlos Disla
Floresta DR

Gustav and Hanna - Haiti Update

2008-09-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

From Guy, Floresta's Haiti Director:

I am finally able to get Internet access. The situation is very bad. A lot of people in Grande Colline lost their livestock and their crops during Gustav and the losses continue with Hanna. Up til now, no Floresta member has died.

In Fonds Verrettes, a lot of houses were destroyed, their roofs took of by the violent wind. I am preparing a proposal to see how Floresta USA could help us to raise some funds to help farmers to reconstitute their production and crops destroyed by the hurricane.

Currently, it is difficult to reach Grande Colline even with a 4x4. Also, two staff members are victims: one in Grande Colline, his house is destroyed. another one in Leogane, his house flooded. Here are some pictures.

Guy

Floresta experimental farm

Damaged roof

Lost banana crop - the end of a season of hard work

Damaged home

Flooded roads

Eroded fields

Gustav Update

2008-08-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

Floresta DR and Floresta Haiti checked in today with initial reports after Hurricane Gustav passed.

From Haiti:

The situation look likes very sad in Grande Colline. The hurricane knocked South, South-East and the West departments of Haiti. Now, I am in Nord, the situation is quiet. I am safe where I am. There are damages in the farms, houses and livestocks. About 14 people died. Until now, I do not have any specific information concerning Grande Colline. As soon as possible, I will inform you.

Guy

From DR:

The tropical storms Fay and Gustav have affected the Dominican Republic with torrential rains that have caused flooding, and more than 5,000 people have been evacuated. 19 provinces are on red alert, with more than 1,000 homes affected. The aqueducts in the communities are obstructed, and we don’t have potable water in Piedra Blanca so we are bringing in water for consumption to the office. The farmers and businessmen who Floresta serves have not been affected as of now. As for the effects of the rains, classes have been interrupted in the schools and universities, although this has not impeded the people from celebrating the gold medals won by the athletes in the Olympic Games.

Blessings,

Carlos

Child Slavery in Haiti

2008-07-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

ABC News recently did a documentary on the existence of child slavery in Haiti, How to Buy a Child in 10 Hours.

One of the things they point out is that rural poverty is often so severe that families think they are doing their kids a favor by sending them to work as domestic servants in the capital. This is a problem that we are directly combatting. By providing economic opportunity for rural communities, Floresta is working to make it possible for families to stay together.

Here is a follow up to the original report, with an interesting discussion on how Haiti is portrayed in the media - which is one of my pet peeves.

Another way to fight deforestation - stop doing drugs!

2008-07-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

An interesting article from the Christian Science Monitor about another victim of the drug wars:

New target in Colombia’s drug war: ecofriendly US users

The Shared Responsibility program aims to educate US and European cocaine users about the environmental damage of cocaine production.

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA
Millions of Americans use cocaine, but few of them consider the millions of acres of forest that have been cleared by coca growers in all corners of Colombia or the blue-billed curassow, a turkey-sized bird that is losing habitat to coca farming. Rest of the article.

Floresta's Haiti Story

2008-07-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long hiatus. It has been an exciting spring and summer so far at Floresta with a lot going on.

In the meantime Caribbean Property Magazine, online, continues to publish articles about our early efforts in Haiti in "A Desperate Journey". Here is Part 1 of 3 that are on the way.

Planting Hope Video

2008-05-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

Lost Among the Forgotten

2008-05-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

I have been asked to do a series of articles on our work in Haiti for Caribbean Property Magazine. I thought it would be a fun opportunity to tell a little of the story of how we got started. Here is the first installment, Lost Among the Forgotten.

Coincidentally, there is also an article about Floresta partner and friend (and one of the most remarkable people I have ever met) Frances Landers. It was Frances who first invited us into Haiti in the first place, and paired us with Pere Albert.

Click here to read the article about Floresta in the San Diego Union Tribune!

2008-05-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

How Great Thou Art

2008-04-08T19:00:00.001-07:00

Working at Floresta has been, and continues to be, intensely rewarding on a number of levels. Seeing lives change and being a part of a growing international team that is working together to serve the poor and serve God is fantastic. However, one of the most unexpected personal blessings has been reawakening to the wonder of Gods Creation.

When I first got involved with Floresta as a volunteer, way back in 1992, the humanitarian and spiritual aspects of the work attracted me. Environmental restoration was less interesting. I saw it from a purely pragmatic point of view: “We plant trees because people need the trees.”

However, because we were in a strange niche, planting trees and restoring watersheds, I had the opportunity to be around some of the people who were at the forefront of what has come to be known as creation care. From them, I learned that the Creation has intrinsic value in God’s eyes. Scripture frequently talks of His love for His Creation.

At the same time, I learned to walk in the woods with Christian biologists and naturalists, essentially rediscovering the outdoors. I had been an avid backpacker in college, and had somehow gotten out of the habit of being outside during seven years in the Navy. Now people who both knew the Creator and understood something of the complexity and wonder of what He had called good reintroduced me to God’s handiwork. Creation has historically been understood to be a part of God’s general revelation, and as I began to understand and spend time in it, the more I got a sense for who and how big God is.

I have, as a result become an avid – if inexpert – birder and gardener, and spend my free time hiking in the local mountains. There, it is easy to connect with the words of the great hymn:

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Whatever your reason for supporting our work, I pray that you will be blessed by the gift God has given all of us in His Creation.

AP Article on Haiti

2008-03-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

The Associated Press recently ran an article on reforestation in Haiti that highlighted our work and included a quote from me.

Haiti's Efforts to Save Trees Falters

Since it was wire article it appeared in sources as diverse as the International Herald Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle and a Sudanese newspaper.

Floresta in Oaxaca - Part 3

2008-01-11T17:27:00.000-08:00

Floresta in Oaxaca - Part 2

2008-01-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

I know that many of you have been waiting anxiously for the second installment of our Oaxaca documentary. Well here it is:

Floresta in Oaxaca - Part 1

2008-01-09T12:11:00.000-08:00

This video documents our work in Oaxaca. Because of space limitations on YouTube it is divided into three parts. Here, for your enjoyment, is Part 1.

Scott Sabin a "Metro Mover to Watch"

2007-12-21T13:08:00.000-08:00

San Diego Metropolitan named Scott Sabin one of its "Metro Movers to Watch in 08." Check out the full article here: http://www.sandiegometro.com/2007/dec/movers2.php

Congratulations, Scott!

Floresta in the News

2007-12-19T17:32:00.000-08:00

Floresta was recently featured in an article in San Diego Magazine regarding alternative gift markets.

As an fun side note, the author of the article will be joining our staff next month as a grant writer. Welcome Aly!