November 2010

Planting Trees for a Conservation Easement.

 

In Sayula, Jalisco, Mexico we were involved in planting nursery grown pine trees for a conservation easement on private property.  636 tree seedlings were planted in predrilled holes on a 120 hectare (300 acre) property.  The property owner leased the land to Conafor, the Mexican Forestry Agency, with the stipulation that the trees will remain growing.   Conafor pays the land owner 1200 pesos per hectare for a period of 10 years, and Conafor collects the Carbon Credits for the property.    Carbon Credits can be sold on the open market.  This program is a win-win for everyone.  

 

Guide to Planting a Tree

http://www.tree-planting.com/tree-planting-4.htm

 

September – November 2010

Saving Trees In Boise, Idaho USA

 

The Global Reforestation Initiative considers saving trees from unwarranted destruction is as important as planting new ones. 

In June 2010 a tornado destroyed 17 trees along the sides of the main corridor through Surprise Valley, an upscale neighborhood in Boise, Idaho. Immediately,

the City Forester of Boise, the “City of Trees”, condemned 48 more mature Sensation Maple trees to  clear cutting, without significant study to determine if their destruction was necessary.

 

One of our directors organized a group of citizens to complain that the Forester had not followed the City’s own ordinances that requires that an evaluation of each tree to be cut be made.  The bottom line was that 19 of the 48 trees (40%) were saved from an untimely demise by chain saw. After persistent followup by the residents, the City of Trees generously planted 91 Ornamental Pear, Honey Locust and Norway Maple trees to replace the trees it had condemned and cut.   One resident said, “ We started with 65 mature trees. One tornado a condemnation proceeding, many months of citizen involvement, and replanting, we now have 110 trees total.   Nothing is easy, but all is well that ends well.