My main project for integrating ecological research into social, economic and environmental development is near Rio Dulce, Izabal, Guatemala. I have been working on degraded land that was grazed by cattle for decades before being abandoned 20 years ago. It was left as a thicket of shrubs, cattle grasses and corozo and guano palms. I approach restoration by assessing the current state of soil and vegetation and develop different plans for areas depending on the level of degradation and stage of vegetative succession.
FOREST RESTORATION
Areas which have remnant trees and which create wildlife corridors from the nearby Santa Cruz National Forest are left undisturbed and given priority for conservation and preservation. I now have 22 hectares registered with the Guatemalan government as biodiversity restoration land. These areas will recover forest and biodiversity on their own from natural regeneration.
CACAO PRODUCTION
I have been planting cacao into areas with a mixture of trees and invasive shrubs. Cacao requires shade, especially in the first few years and the shrubs can be used for that purpose. Also, cacao is native to Guatemala and the region of Izabal. It provides potential yearly economic returns that can hopefully lead to a cost neutral project and provide for the needs of a community health and social clinic on the property. Although it is a difficult tree to grow and sustain organically, returning this tree back to the area represents immense potential for the local economy and ecological restoration. The production is entirely organic with natural insect suppression from planted lemon grass, ginger and chilies. I maintain a small nursery of cacao seedlings, and we are beginning to cultivate our own varieties of patrons (root stock) and grafts. Checkout our chocolate bars HERE.
TIMBER PRODUCTION AND FOREST RECOVERY
In 2015, I established a tree plantation with mixture of native species interspersed with the non-native teak tree using a biodiversity experiment scheme (see my project in Sabah, Borneo for information on this type of work). This plan will allow long-term reforestation with the hope of offsetting the cost by harvesting all the teak within 20 to 30 years.
ECOLOGICAL LIVING
I have constructed a house to provide a base-camp for my restoration projects. This construction is becoming an amazing lesson in designing a functional home from the ground up. I incorporated topography, vegetation and aspect into selecting the site. I also utilize an elevated floor and high ceiling in order to increase airflow to keep the inside cooler. Large 2 x 3 m sliding doors on both the east and west of the house to create more airflow and keep me close to the beauty of the nature. My roof collects rainfall into a 1100 liter tank. The water pump is powered directly from a small solar panel (100 watts) to move the water from the collection tank into an elevated water tower. This system provides the house with gravity fed water pressure and eliminating the need for fuel. Grey water is used for garden and food irrigation black waste goes through a septic and then to a leach field of banana, coconut and papaya trees for final cleansing.
The house is running on 12v solar power. I chose to go with lower voltage, even though efficiency is lower, because the access to 12v appliances, lights, etc. is easier. The proximity of the large sailing community in Rio Dulce makes obtaining 12 volt light bulbs, batteries and refrigerators fairly straight-forward. I have two 250 watt panels, a 45 amp charge controller, eight 100 ah batteries and and a 2000 watt inverter. My fridge and lights are all running directly on 12 volt power. Down from the house I have a palapa for work and storage. I constructed the entire palapa from salvaged wood with guano palm leaves for roofing.
