Haiti was once a picturesque island with lush rainforests, ferns, and moss covering its steep slopes. Beneath the forest floor lay massive root systems that held the dense, fertile soil in place during seasonal flooding. Decaying leaves and other plant matter fed the soil with rich nutrients. Haitians depended on the fertile land to grow their food.
But when trees promised a quick cash crop of charcoal, Haitians chopped down many trees. After torrential rainfalls washed away topsoil, forests gave way to eroded, barren ground.
Every year in a CAM-supported nursery, Haitians start thousands of tree seedlings. For weary farmers who yearn for a bountiful harvest and for families struggling against hunger, flourishing trees represent hope. “Reforestation gives us hope for the future,” shared a grateful Haitian father. “Our children will inherit a healthier and more sustainable environment.”
