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HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS of Honduras, Rain Forest Rescue® donations are having a multitude of positive impacts. As always, they are promoting environmentally friendly shade-grown coffee that reduces chemical inputs and saves overstory trees for wildlife habitat. However, some of the funds are being used to stabilize higher-elevation slopes where an epidemic of southern pine beetles has destroyed more than 1.25 million acres of forest. This once richly forested land serves as the source of drinking water for thousands of Hondurans. The insect outbreak is the result of drought, possibly exacerbated by climate change. It has been called one of the worst ecological disasters in the country’s history.
At the heart of it all are people.
Lowell Powell, co-founder of California-based company Catracha Coffee, points out that many of the students who are helping at the two local nurseries are learning important lessons about caring for the land through tree planting and agroforestry practices, and they’re passing this knowledge on to their parents. Some are gaining new skills and employment.
Back to the Roots: History of Arbor Day Coffee
A young woman named Juana is such a person. With funds from the Arbor Day Foundation, Juana was able to work as an intern, helping with a variety of nursery chores while earning enough money to buy fencing to protect her family garden from animal intrusions. Now she has graduated and hopes to put her experience to use helping with future reforestation efforts in Santa Elena.
The Rain Forest Rescue program is improving lives, protecting valuable resources, and providing education that promises a better future for the people of Honduras and beyond. Learn more about this program at arborday.org/rainforest.
