100,000 Trees for Azuero, Planting our Future

Project Overview

During the 2025 planting season, Fundación Pro Eco Azuero successfully planted 63,000 native trees across 12 farms in the Azuero Peninsula. This effort was made possible thanks to the generosity of our GlobalGiving donors, the dedication of our network of community producers, and the support of more than 400 national and international volunteers.

‍ Community-Led Production

The seedlings planted this season were produced by our network of micro-producers in the communities of Bayano, Paritilla, Cambutal, Corozal, Bajo Corral, El Oro, Guararé, Nuario, Oria de Bayano, Pedasi, and Chumico.

• Most of these producers are women trained by Pro Eco Azuero in seed collection, nursery management, and seedling maintenance.

• Using ancestral knowledge and modern techniques, they cultivated 60,000 seedlings of native tropical dry forest species throughout the year.

• Pro Eco Azuero provided inputs such as nursery bags, soil substrate, and seeds to ensure high-quality production.

This model not only restores forests but also strengthens local livelihoods and women’s leadership in conservation.

Planning and Implementation

Each reforestation site underwent a thorough assessment before planting, including:

• Drone monitoring and forest inventories.

• Soil studies to evaluate levels of degradation.

• Fencing verification and land-use planning.

Our forestry and nursery team designed reforestation plans tailored to each farm, selecting the most suitable species, planting layouts, and spacing.

The logistics of field preparation and planting were led by our dedicated reforestation crew, “Los Magníficos”, who prepared the land, opened planting holes, and transported seedlings across challenging terrain.

Volunteer Engagement

We welcomed more than 400 volunteers from:

• Future Sense Foundation

• Universidad de Panamá

• UDELAS

• Global Glimpse

• Banco General

• ALAS Pro Tour surfers

• Peace Corps

• Pro Eco Pelaos (local youth)

• Independent volunteers

Volunteers were trained in correct planting techniques and paired with group leaders to ensure efficiency and quality. On average, teams were able to plant up to 1,000 trees in just two hours, demonstrating the power of coordinated collective action.

Despite the physical challenges of heat, steep slopes, and remote sites, volunteers expressed pride and joy in contributing to the restoration of the tropical dry forest.

Monitoring and Quality Assurance

Every tree planted is part of our five-year monitoring program. During planting:

• Each seedling was georeferenced, photographed, and recorded by species using ArcGIS tools.

• Our monitoring team ensured quality control, verifying that trees were planted at the correct depth, spacing, and conditions.

This system allows us to track survival, measure biodiversity impact, and provide transparent updates to our supporters.

Season Results and Reflections

• Target: 100,000 trees

• Achieved: 63,000 trees planted (due to budget limitations)

• Farms restored: 12

• Volunteers engaged: 400+

• Communities empowered: 11

Although we fell short of our initial target, we are deeply proud of the impact achieved. Each tree represents hope, resilience, and the collective commitment to restoring the Azuero Peninsula’s tropical dry forest.

Gratitude to Our Donors

This work would not have been possible without the support of our GlobalGiving community of donors. Your contributions directly enabled us to:

• Train and empower rural women producers.

• Provide essential materials for community nurseries.

• Mobilize and train hundreds of volunteers.

• Restore critical habitats for endangered species such as the Azuero spider monkey.

On behalf of our team, our communities, and the forests of Azuero: thank you for believing in this mission and making this season a success.

With your continued support, we are preparing for the 2026 reforestation season, aiming to plant even more trees and expand our impact for both people and nature.

Thanks to your support, we’ve been hard at work preparing for our next big goal: planting 100,000 native trees across the Azuero Peninsula to restore biodiversity, protect endangered species, and build climate resilience in rural communities.

What’s Been Happening Behind the Scenes?

In September, we kicked off a new and exciting phase of this project by launching community nurseries in several rural areas of Azuero. These nurseries are women-led, and we’ve been busy training the women involved—from identifying healthy “mother trees” for seed collection, to processing, germinating, and growing saplings of native and fruit trees.

At the same time, our main nursery, located at our office headquarters, has been buzzing with activity. The dry season in Azuero is seed collection time, and this year, we’ve collected thousands of seeds for our seed bank. These seeds will be shared with the community nurseries and used for our own in-house production.

We’ve also had the joy of welcoming more than 200 volunteers this year! From Panamanian university students to international visitors through our partnership with Future Sense Foundation and even students from a California university, every hand has made a difference.

Scouting the Land

In parallel, we’ve been visiting and scouting farms across the region that will be part of this year’s reforestation season. This process helps us learn directly from landowners, understand the challenges of each site, and build the strong relationships needed for successful and lasting reforestation.

As we approach the rainy season, we’re energized, organized, and deeply grateful. Thanks to your generosity, we’re not just planting trees—we’re growing local leadership, rebuilding ecosystems, and restoring hope for a greener Azuero.

Stay tuned—tree planting begins soon!

Links:

• Post on Instagram sharing our work collecting seeds
• Instagram post made by the University volunteers