Just One Tree
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE WORLD’S RAINFORESTS?
According to satellite data, tropical forests are being destroyed at a rate of approx. 8 million hectares (31,000 square miles) a year — an area equivalent in size to the state of South Carolina or the Czech Republic.This is one of the most significant reasons for the extinction of over 200 species each day! Despite their immense value, since the 1960s, nearly half of the world’s rainforests have been lost. Every day, about 81,000 hectares (200,000 acres) of rainforest — an area nearly 14 times the size of Manhattan — are burned around the world.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PLANT TREES?
A single tree can be home to hundreds of species of insect, fungi, moss, mammals, birds, and plants. Depending on the kind of food and shelter they need, different forest animals require different types of habitat. Without trees, forest creatures would have nowhere to call home. Trees not only give us oxygen, take in C02 and help mitigate Global Climate Change, they also regulate our weather and “call” water to an area. Once trees are destroyed in the rainforest, without the reciprocal Water-to-Tree equation, a once rainy rainforest becomes a desert.
ARE ALL TREES THE SAME?
Of course planting any indigenous tree is certainly a step in the right direction, however, ALL TREES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL! Some trees are known as “Keystone Species” as they are essential to the survival of ambient species, both plants and animals.
The Importance of the Almendro Tree
The Almendro Tree is so prized for its wood used in construction (it is so dense it is termite proof) that it is now extinct in many locations in Central and South America, including many of the islands in Bocas del Toro.
This tree is a "Keystone Species" and is essential to lowland Caribbean Rainforests. 16 species of mammals, 19 species of bees, and over 100 species of birds depend upon the Almendro Tree. It is also the only tree the highly endangered Great Green Macaw nests in. As a way to fight against the Almendro's potential extinction, Planet Rehab has launched the project "Just One Tree".
This initiative is dedicated to the reforestation of the Almendro Tree in Bocas del Toro, and hopefully in other areas of Panama and Central America.
Read more to learn HOW YOU CAN HELP!
How our project works
We believe "Just One Tree" is a step closer to protecting and reforesting our planet! This is why we are growing as many Almendro saplings as we can here at Green Acres. The saplings are cared for and at the intermediate stage they are transplanted into a temporary home to minimize the potential for shock once they reach their final destination.
Once the saplings are big enough, they are transplanted to bio-sensitive regions around the Archipelago where they will be protected and have all the necessary conditions to grow healthy and happy.
We keep a close eye on the transplanted saplings to ensure that they are being protected. We provide educational forums to inform local and international communities of the importance of these and other trees, and how and why we should protect them.
SPONSOR AN ALMENDRO TREE THAT WILL BE GIVING LIFE TO THOUSANDS FOR YEARS TO COME! DONATE TODAY TO PLANT JUST ONE TREE!
How can YOU help?
We are contiuously planting Almendro Saplings in bio-sensitive locations that are committed to protecting them! Exciting right?
Our goal is to keep planting more trees and you can help make this possible by donating TODAY!
Be part of the many people who have already sponsored Almendro Trees! You can see your name in our Gallery below when you commit to planting Just One Tree.
Green Acres Chocolate Farm and Nature Preserve
Bocas del Toro, Panama
