Trocano Project International Day of Forests

Reforestation event on the International Day of Forests

Trocano Project holds a reforestation event in Borba on March 21st.

The Trocano Araretama Project organized a reforestation event in the project area to mark the International Day of Forests.  The event celebrated the importance of rainforests and was implemented together with the Municipality of Borba. It was also an opportunity to raise awareness of the important actions of reforestation and restoration as well as disseminating the important benefits of the Trocano Project.

The International Day of Forests is celebrated annually on March 21st. It is to raise awareness about the importance of forests and the challenges they face. This day is particularly important in the Amazon rainforest, due to the critical role that the rainforest plays in the global ecosystem.

Restoration of a disused area in Borba

The highlight of the day was the planting of 500 fruit seedlings. The area chosen for this was a degraded area of approximately 0.5 hectares. This area had previously been used as the municipal dump in Borba until about 10 years ago. Since then, the area had been left desolate and so was the ideal location for the reforestation event activities.

  • Trocano Project Reforestation
  • Seedlings for reforestation in Borba

The event was held in partnership with the Municipal Secretariat of Rural Production and Supply (SEMPRA) and the Municipal Secretariat for Tourism and Environment. This action supported by the Trocano Project aims to carry out the forest restoration of the site. It is also a catalyst to encourage other institutions and population the importance of the environment in our lives.

Orientation for the participants carrying out the reforestation activities

The action began at 8:30 a.m. with the opening of the event by Trocano Project Manager Joaquina Lourenço together with Mr. Raimundo Backemball Marques, Municipal Secretary of Rural Production and Supply, and Mrs.  Clici Menezes de Castro representing the Municipal Secretariat of Tourism and Environment.  The speakers each explained the performance of each organization for participation in the reforestation event. The participants carrying out the planting actions were 18 student volunteers of the class of the agricultural technician of CETAM, to gain experiences in practice in the field.

  • Trocano Reforestation Orientation Session
  • Borba Reforestation Orientation Session
  • Reforestation in Borba 21st March 2023
  • Reforestation in Borba March 2023

Planting endemic species in the restoration area

During the orientation session,the students were given a practical class conducted by the team of SEMPRA. They demonstrated the spacing of each species to which they would be planted, and the necessary correction of the soil for the reduction of acids, adding an amount of 200g of limestone per pit.  It was also demonstrated the procedure of fertilization that serves nutrients so that the plant can develop.

Three different species of seedlings were chosen to be planted on this day. The species chosen were açaí, cocoa and acerola – which are all native species, endemic to the region. 

Planting the seedlings in the Degraded Area

With the students all oriented and having the technical information, the group were divided into teams to carry out the planting of the seedlings. One team was responsible for the fertilization and liming of the pits, in which the other team carried out the planting of the seedlings.

The students had all the technical monitoring of the SEMPRA team for the guidance of the planting throughout the restoration activity.  This event served as practical experience for the students out in the field. Having the opportunity to know better the performance of their training will assist in their professional development.

  • Tree planting in the Trocano Project
  • Tree planting in the Trocano Project
  • Tree planting in the Trocano Project

Technical Expertise and Knowledge

During the event, Raimundo from SEMPRA held an interview on the objective of the performance of the secretariat team in the project. The talk aimed to motivate students who are graduating in agricultural technician. Also held were some interviews with some students to learn about the importance of practical experience in their course and what they learned from the experience in the field.

About the International Day of Forests

The United Nations General Assembly established this day in 2012. It was created to recognize the value of forests for the planet and the people who depend on them. The day also highlights the urgent need to protect and restore forests to ensure their sustainability for future generations.

Forests play a vital role in mitigating climate change, conserving biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. They also provide essential ecosystem services such as regulating the water cycle, preventing soil erosion, and purifying the air we breathe. However, forests are under threat from deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable land use practices, among other factors.

Raising awareness of the critical role of Rainforests

The International Day of Forests is particularly important due to the critical role that the rainforest plays in the global ecosystem. The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. It covers around 40% of South America and housing an estimated 10% of the world’s biodiversity. It is also a crucial carbon sink, absorbing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Trocano Project on the ground Team

The International Day of Forests provides an opportunity to raise awareness about these issues and promote sustainable forest management practices. It encourages governments, businesses, and individuals to take action to protect and restore forests, including the Amazon rainforest. This can include supporting reforestation efforts, promoting sustainable agriculture, and combating illegal logging and mining.

In addition, the International Day of Forests highlights the importance of engaging local communities in forest conservation efforts. Local communities have lived in and depended on the Amazon rainforest for generations. Their knowledge and practices can be key to preserving the forest’s biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Overall, the International Day of Forests is a critical opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of forests and the challenges they face. It highlights the urgent need for projects such as the Trocano REDD+ project and the importance of engaging local communities in conservation efforts.