Date established: 2000

Partner: Arboles y Agua para El Pueblo

Number of trees produced (through 2006): 305,000

Program history: According to statistics from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), the ecological situation in El Salvador is grave. The deterioration of the environment and soil structure caused by erosion, global warming, and overexploitation of natural resources has placed El Salvador in a dangerous situation.

According to information from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, El Salvador experienced a 33% reduction in forest cover between 1978 and 2003. Today, the FAO estimates that only 7% of El Salvador is covered by forest.

Since 2000, TWP has implemented reforestation, environmental education, and efficient stove projects with communities in the area of El Coco, in western El Salvador. We began working in these communities after local community leaders asked for our technical support to protect the water sources that are found in the El Cimarrón Natural Area, also known as La Magdalena.

Among the many species of trees we plant, Madre de Cacao, Maquilishuat, Chaquiro, Leucaena, Flor Amarilla, Memble, Eucalyptus, and Caoba are some of the more common. These trees are used to reforest previously cleared areas and also for agroforestry purposes.