Sunday, April 10, 2016

Yacouba Sawadogo story The man who stopped the desert using farming practice called ’zai.


Yacouba Sawadogo is an innovative African farmer who has been travelling across the deserts for the last 30 years reviving ancient re-forestation and soil conservation techniques. His only tools are a shovel and a firm belief that everything can be changed for the better. His amazing results speak for themselves.

Unable to read or write, and without using any modern gadgets or techniques, he simply continued using an ancient African farming practice called ’zai.’ He plants seeds in small holes filled with compost. The holes then fill up with water during the rainy season, so they are able to retain moisture and nutrients during the dry periods.

Along with millet and sorghum, he also managed to start growing new trees, which in turn helped replenish groundwater levels: the soil, shade and organic materials under the trees help hold moisture so it can be absorbed by the soil.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Canadian Forests and Japan.

Japan is a priority market for the export-oriented agricultural and forestry sectors. Last year, Alberta agri-food exports to Japan totaled $1.2 billion, with forestry product exports adding another $290 million.

And we are talking about climate change.
Alberta Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier, “It’s my first trade mission, so I’m pretty open whatever might happen out of it,” he says, “but if we can get any kind of agreement or trade deal that can expand our lumber or agriculture in Japan I would count it as a success.”

Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. (DMI) is an integrated forest products company.

DMI manages about 2.9 million hectares of public forestland in Alberta under a Forest Management Agreement (FMA) signed with province of Alberta.  A Detailed Forest Management plan forecasts harvesting operations for a period of 20 years into the future and is updated every 10 years.

Links

http://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=3885717776BF4-B262-C3CF-58BA60304924D1C0 

http://www.inews880.com/2015/11/22/alberta-ag-minister-hunts-for-trade-deals-in-japan/

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/05/26/business/huge-forest-fire-nears-canada-oil-sands-mines-forcing-10-output-cut/#.VuxbIOYYFPl 

http://www.dmi.ca/

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Guinness Reforestation Record in 2015 for Ecuador

By Liliana Usvat    
Blog 365-365


You often hear saddening statistics about the rate of deforestation from ecologically-minded friends and the news, but how often do you hear about the good that is being carried out to reverse environmental damage?














On May 16, 2015, thousands of people gathered to volunteer and reforest the Earth. They planted 220 different species of flora on almost 5,000 acres of land, setting a new Guinness World Record.

President Rafael Correa said the seedlings were planted all over Ecuador, which boasts varied geography from its Pacific coast, high Andean peaks and low Amazon basin areas.
 
Environment Minister Lorena Tapia said on Twitter that 44,883 people planted the trees on more than 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of land.

Guinness Records adjudicator Carlos Martinez, said hundreds of varieties were planted as part of the mass reforestation effort.
 
National Reforestation Day, also named “Siembratón”, was an initiative from the Minister of Environment Lorena Tapia to “show Ecuador is committed to the protection of the environment” and invite citizens to become positive contributors in the process, Tapia said. 

This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address: 
 "http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Ecuador-Reforestation-Day-Breaks-Guinness-Record-20150516-0015.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
National Reforestation Day, also named “Siembratón”, was an initiative from the Minister of Environment Lorena Tapia to “show Ecuador is committed to the protection of the environment” and invite citizens to become positive contributors in the process, Tapia said. 

This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address: 
 "http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Ecuador-Reforestation-Day-Breaks-Guinness-Record-20150516-0015.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english
National Reforestation Day, also named “Siembratón”, was an initiative from the Minister of Environment Lorena Tapia to “show Ecuador is committed to the protection of the environment” and invite citizens to become positive contributors in the process, Tapia said. 

This content was originally published by teleSUR at the following address: 
 "http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Ecuador-Reforestation-Day-Breaks-Guinness-Record-20150516-0015.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english

"There is no record in history of similar events involving over 150 species,"

"I want to beat it once a month so the planet will be full of trees in very little time, which is what we need."

The Philippines holds the record for the most trees planted in an hour, with 3.2 million seedlings sown last September as part of a national forestation program.
 
Scientists believe planting trees helps offset carbon buildup in the atmosphere, as they absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, helping to reduce global warming.

Ecuador holds several other world records, including the most plastic bottles recycled in one week.