Reforest The Tropics

Here's a link to one my new solo tracks on Bandcamp.

Carbon Carbon, by Hugh Birdsall track by Hugh Birdsall

Check out these super cool uniforms! We are proud to join Cell Signaling Technology, Inc. in sponsoring a youth basketball team from the city of San Pablo in Heredia, Costa Rica. The son of one of our farmers is on the team! 🤩

The team that has existed for 7 years and to date has been national champion 8 times, national runner-up 12 times, international champion 2 times, and has contributed many players to national teams that represent Costa Rica. In addition to focusing on sports, the coaches encourage the growth of the players in other important aspects, such as academics, the environment, and being good people for society.

In March of 2024, we conducted a second measurement of carbon capture for New England Biolabs. Seventy-one hectares of forest planted at Hacienda Las Delicias near Pocora, Limon, Costa Rica were considered. The 71 hectares were planted from August-December 2019.

Carbon capture in this project continues to exceed our expectations. At 4.2 years old, the forest has accumulated 4002.5 Metric Tonnes CO2e on 71 hectares for an average of 56.37 MT/ha. The average incremental growth of the forest is 13.42 MT/ha/yr. As the forest matures, we expect the project to follow historical patterns in which the average annual rate of capture will exceed 20 MT/ha/year. This will occur once klinkiis (Araucaria hunsteinii) experience their natural growth stimulation at approximately year 8 of the project.

Telemundo 51's investigative team traveled to Costa Rica, a country recognized worldwide for its conservation initiatives. Our Chief Forester, Victor Martínez, was interviewed! You can see an excerpt from minutes 42:15-45:00.

If you need a translation, turn on CC and select the language in Settings at the bottom right of the YouTube screen.

Secretos de la selva: el documental En busca de soluciones a los problemas ambientales que enfrentamos, el equipo investigativo de Telemundo 51 viajó a Costa Rica, un país reconocido a nivel mu...

In Loving Memory of Dr. Herster Barres (2/14/1936-3/7/2024)

Reforest The Tropics (RTT) is celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Herster Barres, who founded our organization in 1996 and worked and guided us well into his 80s.

Thank you Herster for your many invaluable lessons, your contributions to humanity, and for the vision that led to an amazing journey for all of us at RTT who attempt to honor your legacy. You are missed.

Herster Barres Obituary (2/14/1934 - 3/7/2024) - Mystic, CT - The Day View Herster Barres's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

In 1998, the Superior Nut Company supported us with our first reforestation project in Costa Rica, with the goals of offsetting the company’s carbon footprint, contributing to critical habitat, and supporting the local community.

Since that time, has planted a total of 79 hectares (195 acres) on 12 different private farms in Costa Rica. To date, Superior Nut Company has sequestered a total of 17,368 metric tons of carbon dioxide in their forests. In 2022 alone, the various projects sequestered a total of 1,387 MT CO2e, which more than doubles the total annual carbon emissions for the company.

As a result of its investment with RTT, in 2013, Superior Nut Company became the first company in the country to achieve 100% carbon balancing through tropical reforestation. With continued support over the years, Superior Nut Company now comfortably offsets twice as much carbon as it emits each year. This remarkable accomplishment has led to various forms of recognition for Superior Nut Company, including the prestigious Environmental Merit Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Best in Class” recognition from Walmart for Innovation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reception of "Social Mission Vendor" status from Unilever, and access to buyers who share Superior Nut Company’s commitment to global sustainability. 🤩🌲🌳

The Montellano farm, host to several our newest reforestation projects, is located in a critically important biological corridor. It is surrounded by natural forest and is part of the “Camino del Jaguar” (path of the jaguar). With the installation of various dams in the country to generate hydroelectric power, the migratory routes for jaguars have been stressed. Enhancing this path through additional forest cover represents a meaningful contribution to the species’ security and overall environmental health.

The nearest community to Finca Montellano is San Isidro de Pascua, a village of a few hundred inhabitants that is a short walk to the farm. San Isidro does not suffer from extreme poverty that characterizes other small rural villages, as many communities of this profile are inhabited exclusively by unskilled laborers. However, San Isidro also hosts a number of small farm owners and other families within Costa Rica’s middle class. The project will assist this community through job creation and improved water and air quality.

In 2022, a private sponsor contracted with us to establish a 1-hectare of new farm forest in Costa Rica for the purposes of long-term carbon sequestration, habitat creation, community development through job creation, enhancement of air and water resources, and direct economic investment.

RTT planted this sponsor's hectare, along with another 30 hectares for other forest sponsors, on a farm known as Finca Montellano. Over 800 trees were planted and the project will accumulate a minimum of 500 metric MT/hectare of carbon over the 25-year project period. This picture shows how the new forest buffers existing natural forest.

Since the establishment of the project, Montellano has agreed to plant an additional 26 hectares and is offering RTT another 10 hectares on the property to increase the size of its forest coverage. This is a great sign that the project is functioning as we had hoped for the farm.🤩🌲🌳

Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year!

We plant the world's most powerful carbon-capturing forests. Our mission is to fight climate change, increase biodiversity, and improve the lives of local populations through sustainable reforestation projects.

Here's a little RTT history for :

📖 Research started in 1961 by Dr. Herster Barres, a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization forestry scientist.
🌳 Dr. Barres studied mixed species timber plantations as an agricultural option.
🌲 In 1994, Dr. Barres was invited by Clinton climate change action committee to submit a project proposal for climate change mitigation via forestry.
🌎In 1995, the project was accepted in the pilot phase of the UN framework convention on climate change’s AIJ (activities implemented jointly) program.
🦥 Project received formal approval from the US and Costa Rican governments.

When considering your charitable giving this , please consider donating to our cause. There are lots of donation options on our website: https://reforestthetropics.org/donate/

Better yet, create your own fundraiser and inform your friends about our work! Thank you! 🙏🌲🌳🐒💚

https://www.facebook.com/fund/reforestthetropics/

Our mission is to fight climate change, increase biodiversity, and improve the lives of local populations through sustainable reforestation projects.

We are so grateful! This Thanksgiving, we would like to share our appreciation for the many sponsors who have supported our reforestation efforts in Costa Rica for over the last 25+ years.

We employ a scientific approach to plant mixed-species forests that are both biologically and economically sustainable. Our forests maximize profits for farmers, biodiversity and ecological health, as well as carbon capture that sponsors can use to offset greenhouse gas emissions. 🌲🌳🙏😊

We’ve just earned our 2023 Platinum Seal with Candid! We are excited to share the work our nonprofit does through our . Learn how you can support us and make a difference.



https://www.guidestar.org/profile/06-1449475/

The StoneRidge Senior Living Community sponsors a one hectare of carbon capturing forest with us. The forest is planted at the Las Delicias farm located in Jimenez, Limon, Costa Rica. The mixed-species forest is planted with four species, Araucaria hunsteinii (klinkii), Cedrela odorata (cedro), Eucalyptus deglupta (deglupta), and Terminalia amazonia (roble coral).

Each species plays an important role in the forest. For example, the inclusion of deglupta is intended to provide the farm with a fast-growing species which provides a relatively early income source. Degluptas are a short-lived species with rapid growth. This species is selectively removed during the first 20 years (approx.) of the forest’s development. Sale of deglupta timber allows participating farms to earn a living by planting trees as opposed to using the land for cattle pasture as was previously the case on this land.

In 2020, the Stoneridge forest underwent a prescribed forest thinning. Thinnings not only provide income for our partnering farms but are also an essential activity to maximize over the long-term. By removing some trees, we are able to stimulate the entire forest. Absent any consideration for farmer income, we would still need to thin our forests for optimal carbon capture.

The thinning stimulated forest growth as demonstrated in the graph below. In the past year, the forest sequestered over 30 metric tonnes of CO2. As of January 2023, the Stoneridge forest has accumulated 233.9 metric tonnes of CO2 in 12 years.

We are very sorry to share the sad news of David Anderson's passing. He was an early enthusiast, financial supporter, and long-time Board member of RTT. He steady presence and humor will be dearly missed.

David Anderson Obituary (11/28/1925 - 6/11/2023) - Stonington, CT - The Day View David Anderson's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

We have extra T-shirts! We created these for the wonderful event with Eastern Mountain Sports and Outer Light Brewing Company in May. We have extras (in all sizes) in our office in downtown Mystic. If you are interested, please DM us.

Sorry, but we can't afford to ship them anywhere. All we ask is for a small donation to support our work. Thanks in advance! 🌲🌳👕

TOMORROW! DON’T FORGET!
Saturday, May 20, 2023 3:00-6:00 pm

You are invited to Outer Light Brewing Company in Groton to enjoy music, games, swag giveaways, a raffle of Eastern Mountain Sports items, and a specially crafted brew called “Klinkii Cold IPA” in support of the Reforest The Tropics program.

We hope to see you there! 🎙️🎸🍺

🌲🌳🍃

DON'T FORGET! Saturday, May 20, 2023 3:00-6:00 pm

You are invited to Outer Light Brewing Company in Groton to enjoy music, games, swag giveaways, a raffle of Eastern Mountain Sports items, and a specially crafted brew called “Klinkii Cold IPA” in support of the Reforest The Tropics program.

We hope to see you there! 🎙️🎸🍺

🌲🌿🌳💚

Volunteers Needed! May 20, 2023 9:00-11:30 am

Reforest The Tropics and Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc are seeking volunteers for a morning of environmental service at Sheets Family Forest in North Stonington, Connecticut.

Parking is available at small lots on Puttker Road and off of Loin Hill Road. Carpooling is encouraged.

https://avalonia.org/preserves/sheets-family-forest/ /

Activities include tree planting, trail maintenance, and invasive species removal. Volunteers are asked to bring sturdy gloves and perhaps a tool of choice (loppers, handsaws, pruners).

The event will start at 9:00am and teams will accomplish as much as possible until 11:30am.

In the afternoon, volunteers are invited to Outer Light Brewing Company in Groton to enjoy music, games, swag giveaways, a raffle of Eastern Mountain Sports items, and a specially crafted brew called “Klinkii Cold IPA” in support of the Reforest The Tropics program.

We hope to see you there!

Sheets Family Forest - Avalonia Land Conservancy Town: North Stonington Maintained Uses: walking, hiking Difficulty: easy to slightly moderate Length: 2.51 miles of total trails (white trail, yellow loop, and

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, May 20, 2023 3:00-6:00 pm

You are invited to Outer Light Brewing Company in Groton to enjoy music, games, swag giveaways, a raffle of Eastern Mountain Sports items, and a specially crafted brew called “Klinkii Cold IPA” in support of the Reforest The Tropics program.

We hope to see you there! 🎙️🎸🍺

SAVE THE DATE! May 20, 2023

Reforest The Tropics and Avalonia Land Conservancy, Inc are seeking volunteers for a morning of environmental service at Sheets Family Forest in North Stonington, Connecticut.

Parking is available at small lots on Puttker Road and off of Loin Hill Road. Carpooling is encouraged.

https://avalonia.org/preserves/sheets-family-forest/

Activities include tree planting, trail maintenance, and invasive species removal. Volunteers are asked to bring sturdy gloves and perhaps a tool of choice (loppers, handsaws, pruners).

The event will start at 9:00am and teams will accomplish as much as possible until 11:30am.

In the afternoon, volunteers are invited to Outer Light Brewing Company in Groton to enjoy music, games, swag giveaways, a raffle of Eastern Mountain Sports items, and a specially crafted brew called “Klinkii Cold IPA” in support of the Reforest The Tropics program.

We hope to see you there!

Sheets Family Forest - Avalonia Land Conservancy Town: North Stonington Maintained Uses: walking, hiking Difficulty: easy to slightly moderate Length: 2.51 miles of total trails (white trail, yellow loop, and