Wild Animal Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Advocacy
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Sustainable Development and Wild Nature Conservation in NICARAGUAConservation Science in PracticeBe a Eco-Warrior volunteer with the GAIA Program at Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve in Nicaragua. Contact us for special prices during 2017. Gaia
Wild Animals Deserve to Live and Die in the Forest, Not in a CageWild animals often end up in need of rescue, for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is the pet trade in wild animals. People obtain wild animals as pets and then soon enough, they want to get rid of the animals. Reforestation is much more than planting trees. A healthy forest requires the commitment of the landowners, the local community, and the municipal and central governmental authorities. For any reforestation project to succeed over the several years necessary to yield a profit or concrete result, all sectors must constantly perceive benefits from the project. FUNDECI/GAIA is working with the local communities in two protected areas to reforest ecologically damaged sites and to help to provide for basic human needs sustainably in poor, rural communities, by providing trees and organizational skills to the communities.
Most reforestation projects worldwide are about growing one or a few species of trees as crops, with tree choices made based on production objectives. Returning a deforested site to natural forest, however, requires that many tree species be utilized, particularly in the tropics, where the species richness is huge. Furthermore, strong restrictions or even complete prohibition on wood harvesting must be applied, affecting the economic viability of the process. Restoring natural forests in natural areas requires special knowledge of the biology of dozens of tree species, commitment of the actors involved, and an economic benefit that offsets the wood production opportunity cost. We have developed a reforestation program which is based on principles of restoration ecology, to recover natural forest in ecologically damaged areas of a natural forest, including the following guidelines: 1. Develop partnerships with land owners and the community to assure long-term protection of the reforested areas. 2. Only plant trees native to the location when in a natural area, and appropriate to the specific site circumstances. 3. Emphasize protection of environmental services and biodiversity by planting multiple species in planting schemes that minimize erosion. 4. Utilize seed stocks recovered from the immediate area. 5. Reforestation activities timing should correspond to the natural seasonal cycle. 6. Utilize local and reusable materials in the activities to minimize environmental impacts. 7. Implement monitoring and custodial procedures to maximize tree survival after planting. Natural Forest Restoration in Laguna de Apoyo Nature ReserveGAIA staff have facilitated agreements between local landowners, the municipal government, and the Ministry of Natural Resources to reforest lands in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. The lands treated are specified for natural forest according to the approved Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve management plan. These landowners enter into voluntary agreements to reforest specified lands and restore the natural forest composition and structure.
Over 400 species of plants have been documented in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve to date, so any extensive forest restoration should reflect the great diversity in tree species found in the natural forest. Successful reforestation protocols can be found for a handful of these species, especially caoba (mahogany; Swietenia humilis) and cedro (royal cedar; Cedrela odorata), but reforestation procedures have not been tested on many other species, because they are not important production wood species. Our staff and interns work on developing best germination techniques and reforestation practices for tree species which are not normally planted in production forests. Our vivero (tree nursery) is located in Estación Biológica in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. We collect seeds from local forests to promote the protection of local genetic stocks.
We reforest with seeds that we collect in the forests of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, to maintain genetic stocks native to the area. Volunteers collect and process seeds for reforestation according to the appropriate season. Photo Belén Camino. Trees for Rural Settlements in Chiltepe Peninsula Nature ReserveGAIA provided trees for shade and for fruits to poor local residents and conducts tree planting with children of the local school, "Escuela Rural Héroes and Mártires de Xiloá". By involving the local community in the planting and maintenance of trees and the sustainable use of forest resources, we can identify problems and propose solutions that may be more effective in improving standards of living and making forest protection work sustainably. Reforestation VolunteeringOur forest habitat restoration project in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve is fueled completely by volunteer participation. You can participate in our reforestation project as a volunteer. Only moderate Spanish capability is recommended. Activities vary according to the season, but include: seed collection and preparation, soil and compost preparation, nursery planting and maintenance, transfer of saplings to forest plots, and plot maintenance. This project combines the idealism that one could seek in environmental volunteering with moderate to heavy physical labor and lots of nature around.
The Gaia program at FUNDECI is active throughout Nicaragua. Our office is located at Estación Biológica in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, Nicaragua, where we operate the Biological Research Station and Hostel "Proyecto Ecológico", conduct a number of research and conservation projects throughout Nicaragua, and provide Spanish language instruction to volunteers and professionals at Apoyo Spanish School. We also offer opportunities for volunteering in biology, natural resource management, education. and community organization areas. You are invited to visit us on the shore of Laguna de Apoyo. Contact us by email, or by telephone 011-505-8882-3992. ou can help us keep nature wild in Nicaragua, by volunteering your time with us or making a small donation to support our projects in wild nature conservation. Read more about reforestation and natural habitat restoration activities with GAIA in our blogReforestation in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve IVReforestation in Volcano Masaya National ParkReforestation in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve IIIOne day, 600 trees: Reforesting Laguna de Apoyo Nature ReserveSaving wild nature in Nicaragua by reforestingReforestation in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve IIVolunteers saving wild Nicaragua: Reforestation in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve IFUNDECI homepageApoyo Spanish SchoolHostelLaguna de Apoyo, NicaraguaAnimals of Laguna de ApoyoSpanish Studies and Volunteering in Laguna de ApoyoArts and Culture in Nicaraguanonprofit status of FUNDECIGoogle PlusFollow us on Twittercontact us  
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