Ambassador supports reforestation initiative

June 8, 2009

Ambassador Ayalde and President Lugo

“A todo pulmón, Paraguay respira”

Saturday, June 6, 2009 marked the kick off of the campaign “A todo pulmón, Paraguay respira” inspired by Humberto Rubin with the aim of restoring deforested areas  through the planting of 14 million saplings. This inaugural event took place in Ñu Guazú park with a massive turn out by Paraguayan volunteers, government officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and representatives from different organizations. During this event, Ambassador Liliana Ayalde planted a sapling with the President of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo.

United States reforestation efforts in Paraguay

USAID/Paraguay is supporting a project in which the US Forest Service is providing targeted technical assistance and support for reforestation of degraded lands and other biodiversity conservation related activities. In collaboration with local partners, using guidelines and priorities for reforestation established in the National Forest Strategy, three communities (Pastoreo mi, Santa Ana, and Cristo Rey) located close to San Rafael Reserve will carry out a reforestation project of 70,000 trees. The project is implemented by the USFS in collaboration with the National University (UNA) and the NGO Guyra Paraguay. Part of the cost of this project is being cover by the private sector from a US firm called American Forest.

The project will include the assistance to establish parcels for nurseries and propagation, for wood production, forage and fiber production. The USFS experts’ will assist with tree nursery selection process and will conduct workshop on tree planting and maintenance.