By Kayla O'Neill Carriker | Business Partnerships Manager
Island Spirit Fund nonprofit partner Protectores de Cuencas in Puerto Rico knows the power of planting native trees. As the trees grow tall, their shade crowds out the competing invasive plants and provides shelter and food for endangered animals. As the trees’ roots grow, they hold soil in place amid heavy rains.
In the coming months, Protectores de Cuencas seeks to continue to restore forest ecosystems in the Guanica State Forest in Puerto Rico with the help of volunteers. In October and November they planted 680 native trees with the help of volunteers, and they hope to hold a third volunteer planting event soon, which was postponed for COVID-19 safety reasons. They aim to create denser plant communities in this UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve. Along the way, Protectores de Cuencas also seeks to better educate their community about the importance of their work.
Meanwhile, in St. Croix, our partner CHANT is reflecting on other benefits of trees. Their artist-in-residence taught 14 community members workshops on beginning and advanced woodcarving.
CHANT also purchased a sawmill to process recovered heritage trees damaged by Hurricane Maria. Their woodworking experts are learning how to operate the machine and store the milled wood.
Thank you for supporting the Island Spirit Fund’s nonprofit partners, who will be in their communities for the long-term, reaching out and growing roots.
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