ReforestACCIÓN translates literally to “reforest action”. It’s an appropriate name for an initiative planning to complete a reforestation operation to total 1 million trees, across 5 different states in Mexico this year. Isabel Gallo, a work zone manager, sends us a video message in front of a wall of green. Her zone is in charge of three tree nurseries, 2000+ hectares, and developing new projects. The vast empire of forest is under the care not only of the NGO but most importantly of the communal landowners, or ejidos, who own 85% of Mexico’s forests.

“In our three zones this year, we will plant 650,000 native trees in different projects of afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry systems, and restoration”

Achieving impact is the name of the game, and from an organization that has action literally in their name, proving and quantifying that impact is vital for the future of forests and the communities that rely on them. The biggest hurdle that local ejidos run into, like many forest initiatives around the world, is funding. ReforestACCIÓN’s primary method of impact is obtaining funds to buy and produce trees or shrubs to donate to the participants of their programs. Other services include providing project design, conservation training, and maintenance of the reforestation plots.

Opening Access to Carbon Markets for Hundreds of Hectares

Working closely with local landowners and communities, challenges can include organization and training, land ownership and collaboration, and project monitoring. Most projects are made up of multiple smaller plots, spread across different ecosystems and areas. This is where Open Forest Protocol comes into play, proud to join other partners of ReforestACCIÓNsuch as One Tree Planted and Tree Nation.

The projects of ReforestACCIÓN will use the free, blockchain based protocol to generate transparent and accessible forest data for both the community and market sides of the totem pole. Built to house both large and small projects, the OFP model seamlessly integrates with the needs of ReforestACCIÓN’s hundreds of hectares. No project is too small to be left out. Now, community forests will be proven worth far more alive than dead. Within a few weeks, the full data upload of ReforestACCIÓN will be live on the Open Forest Ecosystem Explorer for full transparency and viewing.

Building to 1 million

The project’s biggest goal is to have worked on reforestation, afforestation, agroforestry, and ecosystem regeneration programs in over 2 million hectares of land in Mexico by 2050. They aim to achieve this by collaborating with ejidos, government bodies, communities, and individuals. Their vision includes developing highly productive and economically efficient models that are in harmony with the environment. By supporting landowners with resources and training, ReforestACCIÓN aims to demonstrate sustainable alternatives for livelihoods that do not harm the land.

ReforestACCIÓN’s commitment to sustainable forest restoration and community empowerment is commendable, and we at OFP are excited to offer our services to those on the ground doing the most work. We are honored to be able to help scale and bring this initiative forward into global carbon markets.

Hear directly from Isabel:

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