Reforestation Program
|
July,
2004
By Ron Walker
|
 Re: the Pitillal River
In July 2003, the Grupo
Ecológico de Puerto
Vallarta planted 90 trees of different species along
the south bank of the Pitillal River along some 2
kms. Extending from the Francisco Medina Ascencio
Avenue western bridge to the Francisco Villa eastern
bridge. The goal of that reforestation was to improve
the green area of the Pitillal River's Federal Zone
so that it may be used for the recreation of Vallartans
and tourists.
One year after the initial planting, we submit the
following report based on an inspection of the area
realized Sunday, June 20, 2004, that found 2 good
things and 2 bad ones:
THE GOOD:
1. Thanks to the rains that have fallen in the last
few weeks, since the end of May, the trees are in
good shape with regard to water.
2. I found 4 new trees planted in cajetes where
some of the trees planted originally had disappeared.
THE BAD:
1. 44% of the trees planted originally have disappeared.
2. With the disappearance of the trees and the proof
of their mistreatment, only 35% of the trees planted
initially have survived to this day in good condition,
one year later.
Thus, we came to the following goodn and bad conclusion:
THE GOOD: 56% OF THE TREES SURVIVED!
THE
BAD: ONLY 56% OF THE TREES SURVIVED!
ESTADÍSTICA:
90 Trees planted in July
2003 ...................... 100 %
50 Original trees still alive in June 2004
...................... 56 %
40 Trees that have disappeared ......................
44 %
19 Trees showing
evidence of maltreatment ...................... 21
%
31 Original trees that
survived healthy and untouched ......................
35 %
4 New trees ......................
4 %
54 Actually existing trees in June 2004 ......................
60 %
Before we begin with the Reforestation Program for
2004, it is important to reflect on the statistics
regarding our experience last year. The goal was
to plant the trees and ENSURE THAT THEY WOULD SURVIVE.
With this objective in mind, 56% of the trees did
survive, but only 35% of them did so in a healthy
manner, without mistreatment.
What can we do to improve on those statistics in
the years to come?
1.- The holes in which the trees are planted should
be deep and wide enough, filled with rich earth to
feed the tree and absorb large quantities of water,
while leaving an area all around in the form of a
depression to keep the water during the dry season.
2.- The trees we plant should be at least one meter
(3 feet) tall.
3.- We should inform and ask for the participation
of residents living near the reforestation areas,
so they may water and watch over the saplings, thus
thwarting acts of vandalism and destruction once
the trees are planted.
4.- The need to watch over the trees is obvious,
as is the need to water them during the dry season
between December and May. If necessary, replace the
trees that do not survive.
5.- Expand our communication network regarding our
reforestation programs to attract more participation
from the community, and to make recommendations that
may help other citizens to start a reforestation
program in their own colonias. Finally, reforestation
should become an activity in which any citizen may
participate, in any part of town, on his own initiative.
That way, we would be giving suggestions that are
not only technical (how to prepare the hole, the
size of trees to plant, how to care for them, etc.)
but also touching on personal behaviour, i.e.: only
with the active participation of people will we be
able to expand the reforestation activities and reduce
the obvious vandalism that does not allow the program
to reach a high percentage of survival.
6.- Our 2004 reforestation program (beginning on
July 8, 2004) will include the replacement of those
trees that were lost since July 2003.
We would be pleased to receive your comments and
answer your questions regarding this report.
R.C. Walker,
Member of the Grupo Ecológico
de Puerto Vallarta, A.C.
Phone & Fax: 222-0897
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