:: Reforestation brochure ::

Santa Lucia was for many years an agricultural cooperative. Native forests were cleared for growing crops, pastures for cows and mules, and for the wood used in constructing homes.

The process of conserving and regenerating the forests of Santa Lucia began in 1996 as the landowners within Santa Lucia Cooperative decided to protect the land and seek ecotourism as a better alternative. In 1988 the government of Ecuador deemed Santa Lucia as Bosque Protector, which means that the forest can no longer be cleared. Though reforestation had begun in 2001 with the planting of purchased trees, April of 2002 saw the creation of a Vivero, or Reforestation Nursery. With funding from Rainforest Concern UK , guides and volunteers have been able to plant approximately 5 hectares of pasturelands per year with mainly pioneering tree species. We currently estimate to have planted over 6,000 trees.

Pioneer species are trees which grow most rapidly in conditions of ample sunlight. After initial experimentation, the trees best suited for the direct sunlight and poor soils of pasturelands were determined. Aliso (Alnus sp.) and Sangre de Drago (Croton sp.) are the most planted trees in the reserve. Aliso grows well and rapidly in full sun and contains nitrogen fixing nodules in its roots which is highly beneficial for the nutrient poor soils of grazing pastures. Nitrogen is one of the most necessary components of plant growth, and by first repairing the soil, it further clears the way for a quicker forest recovery. Sangre de Drago also grows rapidly in full sun and stabilizes the soil.

This is just phase one though, as future plantings in these areas will continue once the pioneer species have grown tall enough to provide ample shade for sun-intolerant species. On average, it takes the pioneer species approximately 5-7 years to grow tall enough and provide enough shade for the planting of the species less tolerant to direct sunlight such as Motilon (Hyronema oblonga), Cedro (Cedrela sp.), Guayavillo (Campornanesis sp.), Cuero de Puerco (Pollalesta sp.), Colca (Miconia sp.), Tarqui (Hedyosmum sp.), Guabo (Inga sp.), Poroton (Erythrina megislophylia), Lechero (Euphorbia laurifolia), Chachacoma (Weinnmania pinata), Palmito (Geonoma sp.), Arrayan, and Verbenacia.

Reforestation does not consist solely of planting trees. The time dedicated by volunteers for reforestation also consists of digging holes for the young trees, mixing the soil with chicken feces, and going back year after year to clear the pasture surrounding the young trees to ensure their continued growth. The guides continue to visit the older trees to remove the lower branches to ensure more vertical growth which will provide the most shade for the secondary stage of planting the sun intolerant species.

The time it takes for the forest to fully recover to its previous state is indefinite. Species diversity and forest composition of reforested areas will never be exactly that of primary forest regions. Even areas that were deforested over 500 years ago have a different structure than true primary forests. Santa Lucia can only hope for as close to the natural forest systems as is possible. In planting mainly the trees that comprise the canopy layer of the surrounding forests, it will be up to the wind, birds, mammals, and other seed dispersal methods for reconstructing the other elements of a healthy forest.

Reforestation of all of Santa Lucia's pasture lands is impossible as some pasture grass must be maintained for the mules, which are necessary for bringing food and other supplies up to the lodge. Studies have been performed to determine the lands best suited for providing the maximum amount of pasture grass, while focusing on the sites of greatest erosion for reforestation efforts. The map shows in yellow the areas reforested over the part 5 years. Seeds are collected from trees within the reserve, Reofestation Technician, and Guide, Jorge "Noe" Morales climbs the fruiting trees and drops the seeds down to the ground where they are then collected. Seeds are removed from the fruit housing, prepared accordingly, and then planted in the reforestation nursery seed beds.

One the seedlings have reached a decent height they are transferred to a bag before they are planted out in their permanent homes. Current sites of reforestation within the reserve have been identified as areas of extreme soil deterioration and areas no longer needed for grazing pastures.

The success of the reforestation effort this far would not have been possible without the assistance of many hard-working and concerned volunteers from around the world. For several years now, volunteers have come solo or in groups to replant the forest, and contribute in a small way to the worldwide struggle to conserve our rapidly vanishing resources, biodiversity, and unique habitats. Santa Lucia represents a small reserve within the Choco-Andean Bioregion, one of the top 10 biodiversity hotspots in the world. It is home to the Spectacled Bear, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, and countless other birds and animals. It is imperative that we maintain these forests and the species that inhabit them.

Santa Lucia would like to thank all volunteers, future, past, and present, who have worked to restore the forest.