Project Launch:

El Salvador suffers greatly from deforestation and is currently ranked as one of the most deforested countries in Latin America. There is a significant lack of understanding and education, particularly among school children, regarding the environment and Viveros Escolares (Student Plant Nurseries) have been shown to both teach children about and help restore the environment. In 2010 a Peace Corps Volunteer developed a project in El Salvador to educate local youth about deforestation and other environmental issues in a fun, educational and hands on activity. With a $485 grant from World Connect’s Kids to Kids Program, the Volunteer worked with the Guardianes Ambientales (school environment clubs) at three local elementary schools to grow and then plant approximately 6,000 trees. The group constructed the viveros at their school and planted and grew the trees from seed – they planted Flor Amarilla, Chaquiro, Papaya and Cedro, several tree species that are native to this particular region of El Salvador. The goal of this project was to teach the students about the environment in a hands-on way and give students a sense of ownership of the environment by having them plant and take care of the trees from seed. Once the trees reached 2-3 feet in height, the students distributed them to their classmates and other community organizations for a reforestation campaign. As a result of this project, students have a greater understanding of and respect for their local environment. And, more trees were planted.