LARGE SCALE RESTORATION HAITI / COMPLETED

The Haiti Reforestation Project restores tree cover by planting agroforestry systems that protect watersheds and improve food security. The project equips local farmers with the training, tools and trees needed to design their plots, grow, and care for their own trees, and increase the food production and biodiversity of their farms. In addition, starting in 2020, Eden will be rolling out a large-scale mangrove restoration initiative. In Haiti, Eden Reforestation Projects works to change the approach to growing food by introducing agroforestry systems containing a diversity of fruit and nut trees combined with those that provide timber, fuelwood, and habitat values. The program includes training local farmers to effectively cultivate land in highland regions that respond poorly to intensive agriculture and are best suited for agroforestry applications. By doing so, the Haiti Reforestation Project helps stabilize the land, increases soil fertility, and increases food production that can be sold domestically and internationally to increase household income while bringing back the natural ecological function to a highly degraded landscape. Belanger Site Description Eden's reforestation program in northern Haiti is located where the Noir and Massif du Nord Mountain ranges meet the Artibonite Plains of Gonaives. This is a neotropical, dry area with sparse tree cover and rugged topography. From the 17th to the 19th century, most of the forests were cleared for logging, grazing, and agriculture. As a result, this area has been heavily impacted, and without active reforestation supports limited wildlife. The population of Gonaives is roughly 300,000. This area suffers from extremely high rates of deforestation, drought, and poverty. Eden's agroforestry program is bringing this area back to life. We serve over one hundred eighty smallholder farmer families in five localities and distribute tens of thousands of seedlings annually. Eden offers farmer training, extension services, and distributes fruit trees to help locals reforest their farm plots. Our project is creating habitat to help increase biodiversity, restore healthy soil to slow down erosion and improve food security. Eden Reforestation Projects employees partners with local farmers to plant agroforestry trees such as orange (Citrus sinensis), moringa (Moringa oleifera), mango (Mangifera indica), and cocoa (Theobroma cacao) to expand and diversify food production and improve food security for the local population.