Most reforestation projects consist of mass-planting of a single exotic tree species. When these projects end, the monocultures are cleared and the land is mostly left in a worse condition than before. We want to educate that forest can be planted differently – with an eye on their ecological as well as economic viability.
Investments don’t need to have a negative impact on the environment. We demonstrate how to balance projects’ economic benefits with their ecological sustainability and contributions to social development.
The Generation Forest concept consists in planting a healthy mixture of different native tree species to create a dynamic ecosystem. Young and old trees are cultivated alongside each other in a permanent system. The generations of trees have a positive effect on the surrounding forest, as well as on animals that live within them. Mature trees are selectively removed and replaced with seedlings, creating an everlasting forest, together with a perduring and sustainable income.
Advantages of a Generation Forest
Local tree species
Local tree species are optimally adapted to the local environment. Their growth in non-agriculture soils is better than that of exotic tree species such as teak or eucalyptus.
A healthy, mixed forest
We currently selected 20 different tree species, based on our extensive experience with each. We can formulate the best combination for each project area’s unique characteristics.
High Biodiversity
Reforestation with native tree species provides a welcoming habitat for a variety of animal and secondary plant species. In turn, they improve the health and growth of the forest.
Long-term yield
Forests created according to the Generation Forest concept become permanent features of the landscape and will benefit the investors and future generations of humankind alike.
We aim to create a community of people who together, across national, ethnic and cultural boundaries, are joining together to create “The Pan-American Greenbelt”. This “Green Infrastructure” is to be a two kilometer wide biological corridor connecting existing forests and wildlife areas, running from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, just like the Pan-American Highway, This will address threats to biodiversity, lack of ecosystem connectivity, and climate change. The creation of the biological corridor will be based on a system of voluntary payments for environmental services, through which donors around the world (global custodians) will finance local environmental conservation initiatives (local custodians).
Many environmental programs and projects demonstrate that conservation and creation of intact wildlife areas is indeed possible. However, a key and persistent problem is habitat fragmentation, which impedes genetic exchange between wildlife areas, which in turn encompasses a decreasing diversity of species. We need to create sufficient connections between intact natural areas to maintain and restore ecosystems and their capacity to provide services for human use. In the Americas, tropical forests are particularly affected by the lack of connectivity between ecosystems.
Faced with the threats of climate change, biodiversity loss, occurrence of new virus, and land degradation, it is more urgent than ever to “think big”. We need to look beyond unconnected protected areas; we need to counteract habitat fragmentation by transcending national, ethnic and isolated environmental conservation project boundaries.
You might wonder why the black and white picture of the jaguar. This is a camera trap picture from one of our corridor-projects. Success of such a corridor is measured by the return to them of big felines, like the jaguar.
Contact us to learn more
A reforestation project based on the Generation Forest principal is a sound impact investment with solid, ongoing returns.
But what if a certain piece of land with very high social value, important ecological worth, or a crucial corridor function, does not comply with the requirements of a competitive-return or secure investment, from an investor’s standpoint?
The soil might be exhausted, the land price might be exaggerated high but it has an important corridor function, or the lot might be on indigenous soil without the possibility to get a title.
While having inherent high values, no investor would risk exposure to these risks or settle for the lower returns.
That is where we act. Using philanthropic donation to invest in those lesser return or higher risks project, we focus on those other important values. Values like improving or safeguarding water supply for a community, protecting natural habitats, creating a crucial corridor, or safeguarding mangroves with buffer zones, become more important than the lower returns or higher risks.
Nonetheless, we will manage the projects according to Generation Forest philosophy and will reinvest returns in building more projects based on the Generation Forest principle.
Donations
Would you like to become a project partner?
We are looking for partners who will support one (or more) projects for the long term. If you would like to join us and help to develop, improve and/or fund (part of) any of our current projects, or fund and create your own project, please do not hesitate to contact us, using the contact form below.
- We are currently actively looking for local, and -especially- global custodians for the Pan-American Greenbelt. While local custodians maintain and protect the forests, global custodians fund the operations.
- There is always a need for philanthropic projects, based on the Generation Forest concept, to enrich and protect important corridors, or perform landscaping to improve soil and water supply, for example on indigenous land.
- We would love to be your partner for your silviculture related scientific or research project. We welcome programs from NGOs, universities, and private enterprise alike. Our 100+ years of combined experience is at your service.
And please remember, if you are looking for Impact Investing, joining our sister organization The Generation Forest cooperative is probably a perfect fit for you. Click here to visit The Generation Forest cooperative’s website.
We would love to hear from you !
If you have a question about one of our projects, are interested in partnering with us; if you want to help us out volunteering, or even if you just want to say hello, please use the contact form to the right to get in touch with us.
Best,
Fundación Bosque de Generaciones