FLAGSTAFF — NAU Latin American Studies will present “Planting for Future Generations: Enviromental Justice in Guatemala” at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 at SBS Raul H. Castro (Bldg. 65, Room 107 at Northern Arizona University.
Presented by Jorge Armando Lopez Pocol, the director of the Chico Mendes Reforestation Project. The project is dedicated to finding solutions for environmental problems and the education of grassroots activism, climate change, and indigenous peoples struggle for survival and sovereignty in Pachaj, Guatemala, event organizers reported in a media release.
It began in 1998 as an idea conceived by Pocol and two friends who were disillusioned with the politics of their local environmental organization. Consequently, the three friends decided to create a new environmental initiative apart from the local government with a focus on the reforestation of nearby community lands.
Since its conception, the project has grown to include two tree nurseries and now produces some 10,000 to 15,000 trees per year. He has incorporated four year-round employees to help him harvest seeds, manage volunteers, and conduct outreach.
Each year, the project receives help, both through labor and financial contributions, from nearly 150 volunteers and donors from around the world. In addition, the project partners with approximately 400 students from the local middle school, IMEB (Instituto Mixta de Educación Basico), to teach environmental awareness through nature walks, tree planting activities, and plant care.
Sponsored by the Comparative Cultural Studies, the College of Arts & Letters, the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences and Latin American Studies.
Click here or send an email to Emily O’Neil at epo4@nau.edu for more information.