EN 
DE Claritas project area
The area partially adjoins the indigenous territory of Guna de Wargandí and forms localised protection zones and extends the existing habitats. It combines many of the aspects we seek: suitable soil, ideal connections, and proximity to existing projects. There are several other plots of land neighbouring our area. These might offer the opportunity to expand our Generation Forests in the future, and boost the plan of having a green ribbon running through the indigenous country.
![[Translate to English:] Aufforstungsprojekt Claritas](/fileadmin/_processed_/8/8/csm_the-generation-forest-Nationalpark-Wasser-Land-header-Aufforstungsprojekt-Claritas_8fa99f5ac4.webp)
Region
Darién
Total area
621 ha
Fincas
15
Afforestation status
79 % is already afforested
Many of these areas have scarcely any tree cover, which is why we practically only use shade-intolerant species for this rainforest afforestation project. Here we have planted some exotic tree species that are in great demand, with their natural stocks coming under huge pressure. These include species such as the Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa), Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata), and Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), which are in danger of becoming extinct in the wild.
![[Translate to English:] Forstleiter Jonathan Dominguez](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/b/csm_the-generation-forest-Nationalpark-Wasser-Land-m2-Aufforstungsprojekt-Agua-Fria_def4537338.webp)
“What we are trying to do here is to extend the forest cover, so that the grazing land is somewhat further away from the Guna’s reservation.”
Jonathan Dominguez
Forestry Manager
La Esperanza
Size: 171 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 87 %
Potential tree species for afforestation:
Cocobolo (Dalbergia retusa)
Savanneneiche (Tabebuia rosea)
Ipe (Tabebuia impetiginosa)
Spanische Zeder (Cedrela odorata)
Bergmandel (Dipteryx panamensis)
Mahagoni (Swieteniamacrophylla)
Teak (Tectona grandis)
This finca was previously split into several smaller fincas belonging to a family. It adjoins the territory of the Guna de Wargandí, extending the protection zones and existing habitats. Our members named this finca Esperanza (meaning hope).
El Limite
Size: 16,5 ha
Project start: 2021
Afforested: 100%
Tree species used in afforestation:
Cocobolo, Rosewood (Dalbergia retusa)
Spanische Zeder (Cedrela odorata)
Roble (Tabebuia rosea)
Mahagoni (Swietenia macrophylla)
Tigerwood (Astronium grveolens)
The tree clearance in this area began about 35 years ago and progressed at the rate of 5 ha per year. The clearing continued until about 15 years ago – when the previous owner used it for livestock farming.
Las Claritas
Height: 83 ha
Project start: 2021
Afforested: 100%
Tree species used in afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo)
Tabebuia rosea ( Oak de sabana)
Cedrela odorata (Cedro amargo o real)
Platymiscium pinnatum (Quira)
Dipteryx panamensis (Almendro)
Peltogine purpurea (Nazareno)
Manilkara zapota (Níspero)
Swietenia macrophylla Astronium graviolens (Ronron)
Maclura tinctorea (Mora)
Bombacopsis quinata (Cedro espino)
Tectona grandis (Teca)
The previous owner kept cattle on this land, and one crop of dry rice was planted before the property was sold to us. However, looking at the neighbouring land, it is clear that it is not sustainable to use this area for growing rice – because this requires heavy machinery that compacts the loamy soil considerably. In addition, rice offers too little protection against the frequent heavy rains, contributing to the short and medium-term erosion of the soil. The adjoining farms are currently used as teak plantations and cattle farms.
Herrera
Height: 43.5 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 100%
Potential tree species for afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo)
Tabebuia rosea (Savanna Oak)
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Ipe)
Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar)
Dipteryx panamensis (Mountain Almond)
Swietenia macrophylla (Caoba)
Miroxylon balsamo
Centrolobium yavisianum
Astronium gravioles
Tectona grandis (Teak)
The forest was cleared from this space about 30 years ago to create grazing land. The timber from the Cocobolo, Balsamo, Amarillo, Guayaquil trees, etc. was burned. The aim back then was to clear it for livestock farming. The previous owner used this area of land as cattle pasture.
Teak plantations and a few livestock farms surround it. Livestock farming remains one of the most common activities of the local producers.
Fernandez
Height: 28.5 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 100%
Potential tree species for afforestation:
Cocobolo, Rosewood (Dalbergia retusa)
Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata)
Oak (Tabebuia rosea)
Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
Tigerwood (Astronium grveolens)
Espinoza
Height: 37 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 100%
Potential tree species for afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo)
Tabebuia rosea (Savanna Oak)
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Ipe)
Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar)
Dipteryx panamensis (Mountain Almond)
Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany)
Tectona grandis (Teak)
This area was still covered by forests about 30 years old before it was cleared and used as pasture. Within the surroundings, there were other potential areas of land that could, in the future, be purchased and afforested by the cooperative.
Dominguez
Height: 19 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 0%
Potential tree species for afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo-Rosewood)
Tabebuia rosea (Rosa Indian Bean Tree )
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Ipe)
Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar)
Dipteryx panamensis (Mountain Almond)
Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany)
Tectona grandis (Teak).
Approximately 30 years ago, this area was forested with exotic tree species. The previous owner used it for livestock farming.
Curri
Height: 15 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 100%
Potential tree species for afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo-Rosewood)
Tabebuia rosea (Rosa Indian Bean Tree)
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Ipe)
Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar)
Dipteryx panamensis (Mountain Almond)
Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany)
Tectona grandis (Teak)
Tello
Height: 38.5 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 100%
Potential tree species for afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo-Rosewood)
Tabebuia rosea (“roble de sabana”)
Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar)
Platymiscium pinnatum (“Quira”)
Dipteryx panamensis (“Almendro de montana”)
Tectona grandis (Teak)
This area was covered with exotic tree forests about 40 years ago. It was subsequently cleared for livestock farming.
Peralta
Height: 21.5 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 57%
Potential tree species for afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo)
Tabebuia rosea (Savanna Oak)
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Ipe)
Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar)
Dipteryx panamensis (Mountain Almond)
Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany)
Miroxylon balsamo (Bálsamo)
Astronium gravioles, (Tigerwood)
Centrolobium yavisianum Tectona grandis (Teak)
Hernandez
Height: 25 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 100%
Potential tree species for afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo-Rosewood)
Tabebuia rosea (“Oak de sabana”)
Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar)
Dipteryx panamensis (“Almendro de montaña”)
Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany)
Tectona grandis (Teak)
The 25-hectare finca borders other fincas. This region was covered with forests of exotic trees less than 40 years ago. The current vegetation consists of grasses, herbaceous plants, and shrubs, primarily “Guácimo” and grass pastures.
Geronima
Height: 11 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 100%
Potential tree species for afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo-Rosewood)
Tabebuia rosea (Rosa Indian Bean Tree)
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Ipe)
Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar)
Dipteryx panamensis (Mountain Almond)
Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany)
Tectona grandis (Teak)
Claritas 2
Height: 17 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 90%
Tree species used in afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo-Rosewood)
Tabebuia rosea (Rosa Indian Bean Tree)
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Ipe)
Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar)
Dipteryx panamensis (Mountain Almond)
Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany)
Tectona grandis (Teak)
Claritas 3
Height: 42 ha
Project start: 2022
Afforested: 23%
Tree species used in afforestation:
Dalbergia retusa (Cocobolo-Rosewood)
Tabebuia rosea (Rosa Indian Bean Tree)
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Ipe)
Cedrela odorata (Spanish Cedar)
Dipteryx panamensis (Mountain Almond)
Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany)
Tectona grandis (Teak)
Darién region
The region is famous for the Darién-Gap, the only interruption in the Pan-American Highway, which links Alaska with Tierra del Fuego. Darién was originally covered in lush rainforest. However, in the 1970s, livestock farming strongly encouraged deforestation. The diminishing sustainability of the soil has resulted in the continuous decrease in livestock numbers. The objective of our projects in Darién is to regenerate the fertile soil and create green corridors between existing forests.
