Help Restore the Maya Golden Landscape

A lot has been accomplished under the Community Reforestation in Southern Belize campaign from July 1 to December 30, 2020, which has allowed us to start 2021 with much energy and excitement. During the second half of 2020, the nursery team set a goal to propagate Ya’axché’s on-site nursery with 10,000 seedlings of high-yielding and disease-resistant tree species. According to Ya’axché’s nursery technician, Mr. Miguel Coc, this goal was met with overwhelming success; over the six (6) month period in 2020, 10,823 saplings were grown, reaching 108% of the overall output. Once the saplings were transplanted to soil bags for easy transport, they achieved a 98% growth rate and an overall 95% success rate. Thirty-four(34) species of sapling were introduced in the nursery through this exercise to support the preservation and continued propagation of selected native species - see below for the full list of species currently being grown. This effort has been monumental for the nursery and its productivity, as this six (6) month period saw total seedling production double in outputs, allowing Ya’axché to increase its customers and the farmers it works with on agroforestry and reforestation activities across the Maya Golden Landscape (MGL).

List of Species Successfully Growing in Ya’axché’s Nursery

Key: F=Fruit; C=Citrus; F-C=Fruit Citrus; T=Timber; S=Spice; O=Other Forest Species

1. Bilimbi (F) 
2. BriBri-Chelel (F)
3.  Bay leaf (O) 
4. Cashew (F) 
5. Chinese Plum (F) 
6. Coco Plum (F) 
7. Coffee Caturra (F) 
8. Coffee Local (F) 
9. Craboo (F) 
10. Custard Apple (F) 
11. Grapefruit (C) 
12. Inga Edulis (F)
13. 13 Jamaican Lime (F-C)
14. Kinep (F)
15. Malay Apple (F)
16. Mango (F)
17. Regular Cacao (F)
18.  Monkey Cap (F)
19.  Neem (O)
20. Salm Wood (T)
21.  Sour Orange (F-C)
22.  Soursop (F)
23. Star Apple (F)
24. Avocado (F)
25. All spice (S)
26. Black Pepper (S)
27. Cedar (T)
28. Guava (F)
29. Lemon (F-C)
30. Mahogany (T)
31. Mandarin (F-C)
32. Papaya (F)
33. Rambutan (F)
34. Velvet Apple (F)

Local farmer education and awareness was done in conjunction with the improvements to the nursery productivity. Five (5) MGL farmers were selected to receive 20 varieties of fruit, timber, citrus, and forest species saplings propagated at Ya’axché’s nursery. In addition to the saplings being delivered, farmers received a presentation from nursery technician Mr. Coc on selecting quality mature seeds, preparing seeds for germination, monitoring the germination process, and evaluating and managing plant care. The farmers were able to learn and follow the recommendations from Mr. Coc, allowing this project to be a success! 

Early in 2021, sixteen (16) farmers from the MGL were invited to participate in two agroecology-based tree planting exercises, which provided an excellent opportunity for these men, women, and children to expand their knowledge and skills. The first session focused on interspersing Inga trees with fruit tree saplings, so that shade and nutrients could be provided for the fruit trees. The second session prepared the farmers to plant locally-sourced vegetable seeds within established Inga rows so that again, shade and nutrients could be provided to the vegetables. Ya’axché’s extension officers designed these agroecological plans so that proper spacing between rows was established, which is essential for the strong productivity of the fruit trees and vegetable crops. For both sessions, farmers were provided with saplings and seeds, as well as fencing wire to protect their plots from wildlife predators. This initiative, as stated by Mr. Coc, “supports farmers by providing access to saplings so that they can continue adapting the climate-smart practice and sustainable farming which leads to adequate protected management.” Through this continued training and support, MGL farmers can continue implementing productive agroforestry farms, thereby playing an integral role in sustainable landscape management which Ya’axché promotes. 

Links:

• EcoTourism-Nursery

Ya’axché Conservation Trust realizes the importance of sustainability and the ability to continually provide support to local farmers and communities. One way this has been achieved is through the establishment of a plant nursery, which allows the Community Outreach and Livelihoods program to work with farmers to adapt to climate-smart farming practices, such as Inga Alley cropping, cacao agroforestry, as well as backyard gardens with fruit trees. Ya’axché’s 132 x 84 ft nursery, located within Golden Stream Corridor Preserve, in southern Belize, cultivates a variety of native, high quality, organic grafted and non-grafted seedlings. The seedlings propagated include fruit, timber, citrus, and spice species that are disease resistant and fast-growing. This year, the team of professional and trained staff has successfully germinated, transplanted, and monitored 31 varieties of seedlings, which range from cashew and malay apple to mango, coffee, and cacao. The plan is to propagate a total of 10,000 seedlings at the end of the year, and strong progress has been made through the successful propagation of 7,043 seedlings to date, achieving 70% of the set goal. Through gaining knowledge on propagation best practices, bettering the nursery facility, and improving the quality and heartiness of seedlings, this project has a powerful impact. This is due to the selected species of seed, quality soil, soil mixture, and proper pest management.

This year’s increase in seedling production is imperative since it supports schools, farmers, and other communities working together to improve nutrition, protect the environment, and possibly generate income for families. Ya’axché’s nursery supports reforestation efforts by collaborating with individuals or other organizations to supply primary schools, farmers, and communities on a whole with the locally grown seedlings. Thus far, a total of 2,000 seedlings have been distributed in the remote communities and primary schools of Blue Creek, San Lucas, Otoxha, Dolores, Machakil Ha, Conejo, Sunday Wood, and Corazon Creek. Famers from Indian Creek and Silver Creek villages have received support from the nursery, especially through the provisioning of Inga seedlings to improve shade management on farms and fruit trees to increase the variety on their farms. Thus, the nursery plays a vital role in sustainable livelihoods and food sovereignty in the communities of southern Belize. Additionally, the powerful impact of the project is demonstrated by the number of new communities, which Ya’axche doesn’t regularly work, are approaching the team to see how they too can reap the benefits of the nursery. Ya’axché’s humble nursery has proven to be a strong vehicle for the organization to continue supporting local farmers in agroforestry efforts, as well as expand conservation impact by reaching new communities across the southern Belize landscape.

Photos by Ya’axché

Links:

• Nursery -EcoTourism Belize