In Baltimori, Peru, one of the activities is enrichment planting in secondary forest, areas where only a few tree species have taken hold as part of the forest's own survival strategy after disturbance. Enrichment planting speeds up the return of tree species that are useful for human needs, including endangered species, and brings a broader range of biodiversity back into the landscape sooner than natural regeneration alone would. The site covers 8.41 hectares in total, made up of two non-contiguous, nearby areas of 2.73 and 5.68 hectares respectively. "Enrichment strips" is a commonly used term in restoration and silviculture literature, referring to rows of high-value trees planted within fallows, degraded areas, or secondary forests. In Camino Verde's case, these strips are planted within secondary forests that are 10 to 25 years old. This land was previously farmed by the site's former owner for bananas, corn, rice, and cassava, sold at the local market. Slashed and burned for farming and then left to grow back, these forests are now a couple decades old and already have a somewhat closed canopy, made up of a few predominant pioneer species native to the region, such as balsa wood (Ochroma pyramidale) and cetico (Cecropia sp.). These native pioneer species are very effective at building up organic matter to rebuild soils. They are also short-lived, with a maximum lifespan of 30 to 50 years, so as they grow old, their understory is naturally repopulated with a greater diversity of tree species, dispersed by birds, bats, and tree-dwelling mammals. Planting enrichment strips in this environment can be thought of as speeding up natural ecological succession, so that a greater diversity of species is present sooner, and the secondary forest transitions to a high-diversity primary forest faster than it otherwise would. This would ordinarily take 100 to 200 years. Our enrichment planting directly increases the presence of endangered species in the secondary forest. Alongside this ecological diversification, enrichment planting also enriches the forest in the economic sense, bringing more valuable species into the landscape sooner. Planting within secondary or degraded forest keeps maintenance costs relatively low, requiring only one or at most two weedings per year, since weeds grow more vigorously in full sun and the existing canopy limits that. At the same time, that same canopy leads to a higher death rate among planted seedlings, since branches frequently fall on them from above. Best practice for this planting system is therefore a high planting density. The planting strips are spaced 5 or 10 meters apart, are 1 to 1.5 meters wide, and are hand-cleared of undergrowth with machetes. Trees are planted along the rows every 0.5 meters, giving a planting density of 4,000 trees per hectare where strips are spaced every 5 meters, or 2,000 trees per hectare where strips are spaced every 10 meters. In some experimental rows, this density was increased further by planting in a zigzag pattern (locally called "tresbolillo") within the cleared strip, allowing for 1.5 times as many trees per row, or 3,000 to 6,000 trees per hectare. The process begins with seed collection in the surrounding forests. Once seeds have grown into seedlings, they are stored safely and go through a hardening process to improve their survival rate once planted. When the rainy season arrives, the seedlings are planted out into the forest. Between 2021 and 2026, 24,625 trees were planted in enrichment strips in the secondary forest with the help of Go Forest clients. Species include Canela Moena, Cacao, Quillusisa, Moena Naranja, Espintana, Huayo Blanco, Huasaí, Asaí, Ungurahui, Catahua, Bombonaje, and Caoba.

La Joya is Camino Verde's younger reforestation center, established in 2017, a decade after Camino Verde Baltimori was founded. The site hosts our technical partner's largest tree nursery, supplying seedlings to farmers, native communities, researchers, NGOs, government projects, and the local municipality for urban tree planting in Puerto Maldonado. La Joya produces over 100 tree species each year, with capacity for 100,000 seedlings at a time. It is also the main location for farmer-facing workshops on tree nursery management, agroforestry, and Melipona beekeeping, and offers paid internships to Indigenous women in native species propagation and integral nursery management. The demonstration areas at La Joya showcase native species diversity across both agroforestry and reforestation plots. Over 200 tree species have been registered on site, part of the Living Seed Bank program for the conservation and propagation of native species. This diversity is the result of years of restoration work. When our local partner took over the site, it showed the effects of decades of cattle farming: compacted soils, annual burning, and invasive exotic grass that choked out young trees. Rebuilding La Joya took sustained management. Even now, a significant share of the trees planted on site serve to rehabilitate the soil, generating organic matter quickly to support the rest of the planting. Between 2021 and 2026, 78570 trees were planted at La Joya with the help of Go Forest clients, through two approaches, agroforestry and reforestation, covering 167 species in total. Reforestation species planted include Palo brasil, Caoba, Tahuari amarillo, Huayo blanco, Tahuarí flor negro, Shihuahuaco, Bolaina, Espintana, Yacushapana, Shaena, Palisangre, Cedro, Pashaco, Puma quiro, Palo capitán, Quillabordon, Ajosquiro, Requia, Courbaril, Oreja negra, Capirona, Tornillo, Misa, and Quinilla.

In Baltimori, on a parcel called La Banda, covering approximately 7 hectares, 23,874 trees were planted with the help of Go Forest clients. Reforestation efforts began in the second half of 2021 and were completed by the end of 2024. This site boasts a wide diversity of native species. Notable highlights include rosewood, cacao, and several aromatic relatives of rosewood that hold promising potential for the fragrance industry. A particularly dominant species in this parcel is Flemingia macrophylla, locally known simply as flemingia. Though it's a relatively small tree, it plays a powerful role in the ecosystem. Flemingia is a prolific producer of organic matter and mulch, and also contributes by fixing nitrogen, attracting pollinators with its flowers, and possibly even improving soil health through its anti-nematode properties. In total, 28 different species have been planted on this parcel. Alongside rosewood, cacao, and flemingia, other species include Huasaí, Bobinsana, Espintana, Cinamillo, Moena Naranja, Huayo Blanco, Cacahuillo, Shihuahuaco, Coca, Hungurahui, Moquete de Tigre, Copoazú, Copaiba, Copal, Sachavaca papaya, Caoba, Canela Moena, Estoraque, Chimicua, Palta moena, Guanabana, Gustavia, Arazá, and Limoncillo. What enables such a large number of flemingia trees to thrive in this parcel is a unique management technique known as radical pruning. Once a year, the trees are pruned back to tall stumps, and the resulting biomass is used as a nitrogen-rich mulch to cover and enrich the soil. While this method prevents the trees from growing large enough to store significant carbon in their trunks, it allows them to make meaningful contributions to soil carbon and overall soil fertility. Their rapid growth also makes them excellent tutor trees, helping to create a humid, shaded microclimate that supports the early development of more sensitive tree seedlings. The process begins with seed collection in the nearby forests. Once seeds have grown into seedlings, they are stored safely and go through a hardening process to improve their survival rate once planted. When the rainy season arrives, the seedlings are planted out into nature.

This project is located in Durnal, Belgium (postal code 5530), and involves the replanting of a forest following a bark beetle infestation that severely affected the spruce trees. This reforestation effort aims to increase the resilience of the forest by diversifying tree species, enhancing ecosystem services such as climate change mitigation, biodiversity protection, and water cycle contribution. Specifically, the project will involve the planting of 2575 trees over an area of 1.6 hectares at an altitude of 260 meters on loamy, gravelly soils with natural drainage, favorable for forest growth. Species distribution will include Atlas cedars, Scots pines and alders, with a planting arrangement alternating two lines of cedars and two lines of Scots pines, while six lines of alders will be planted along the watercourse. We aim to maintain 10% birch regeneration in the final tree composition. The planting with plants provided by Pepinières Pirothon is executed during the 2024-2025 season and will also include protective measures against wildlife. Plantation updates: - Planting period: The trees were planted between December 2024 and January 2025 - 2575 trees planted: 1050 Atlas cedars (40.78%), 1050 Scots pines (40.78%) and 475 alders (18.44%) - Monitoring summary: The site covers part of a 3.5-hectare area previously cleared of spruce affected by bark beetles. Planting was done in mixed lines, with terrain prepared by mulching and protected using repellent. Weather conditions were humid. - Maintenance: Clearing is planned to support tree growth.

Location: Lasne Maransart (40 km from Brussels) Project: reforestation of 1.7 hectares with 4200 trees Timing: planting season winter 2023-2024, last additions in 2024 Reason for reforestation: Replanting is necessary as there are no natural seedlings (other than birch) on the plot. Diversification of species is necessary for resilience to climate change. Tree species: 80% Sessile oak, 10% Small-leaved lime, 10% Byzantium hazelnut Planting organization: In the center of the plot we plant mixed rows of 3 oaks and 1 lime tree, in a staggered pattern (2x2.5m). At the edge of the plot we plant 4 rows along the road to the North. Monitoring update, June 2026: - 4,200 trees planted: 80% sessile oak, 10% small-leaved lime and 10% Byzantine hazel, in mixed rows of 3 oaks to 1 lime tree in a staggered pattern, with four rows of edge planting along the boundary. - The recovery rate stands at 100%, and the plot's overall sanitary state is very good. No biotic or climatic damage was observed. - Manual clearing and game protection have been carried out. No replanting is needed. - Natural regeneration of oak and maple is present on site and will be preserved. - Overall, the plantation is doing very well!

The Amblève project, located in the commune of Amblève (BE 4770) and in the Amblève bassin, involves a reforestation initiative in response to an ongoing bark beetle infestation affecting the region's spruce forests. Rather than clear-cutting the entire area, selective extraction of infested trees is being implemented. This method varies depending on the situation, with some areas undergoing large or small-scale clear-cutting while others focus on isolated spruce removal. Following last season's intervention with 10,500 trees, another 14,280 trees are planted during the season of 2024-2025, in a mix of 1.5m x 1.5m (islands) or 2m x 2.5m spacing (in larger areas). The replanting will prioritize beech trees (88%) due to their adaptability to low-light conditions, particularly in small clusters. Other species, including hornbeam, linden, and maple, will be introduced in varying proportions, depending on the specific site conditions. There is significant wildlife pressure, but not enough to threaten the plantations. The manager plans to protect the planting clusters with small localized fences. The restoration effort aims to restore forest cover, enhance species diversity, and strengthen the forest's resilience to climate change. The project can be expanded up to 100,000 trees. The area, known for its rich rural and agricultural landscape, attracts hikers, cyclists, and horse riders exploring the extensive forests around the Amblève River. Historically, the region's forests were damaged during World War II, particularly during the Ardennes Offensive, and were subsequently replanted with spruce, which has proven vulnerable to pests and storms. The project is integrated into a special zone (ZIP), is easy accessible, and offers opportunities for site visits. Plantation updates: - Planting period: The plantation took place between November 2024 and February 2025. - 14280 trees planted: 11480 beeches, 1200 hornbeams, 1200 maples and 400 lindens. - Monitoring summary: The planting was carried out over 15.64 hectares of former spruce forest. Despite regular snow and freezing conditions, the weather did not hinder the work. Trees were planted in clusters, either under existing spruce stands or following clear-cutting. The terrain was prepared beforehand, and protection measures were applied where needed. No major difficulties were encountered.

Between January and February 2026, our technical partner in Peru organized a large-scale plant distribution in the Amazon. A total of 9,934 tree seedlings, sponsored by Go Forest clients, were delivered to 5 communities of the Ampiyacu River Basin. The agroforestry systems established with these communities are centered around rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora), an endangered species valued for its aroma, with essential oil widely used in the perfume industry. Rosewood serves as a key productive and income-generating species within the agroforestry parcels. It is complemented by 15 additional species, including a diverse mix of fruit, medicinal, and hardwood trees that together form resilient agroforestry systems. These include endangered ironwood (Dipteryx micrantha), andiroba (Carapa guianensis), mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), copaiba (Copaifera sp.), chacruna (Psychotria viridis), capirona (Calycophyllum spruceanum), avocado, and a variety of citrus species. The systems also incorporate previously established nitrogen-fixing guaba trees (Inga edulis), along with other native species. Our technical partner, together with a small group of volunteers, spent approximately 10 days traveling from one community to the next, distributing plants to all participating families. Community members carried out the planting in the following weeks. In March 2026, our technical partner returned to each community to monitor planting progress and provide additional guidance, training, and hands-on workshops, particularly for more delicate species such as rosewood. Follow-up visits are planned going forward to continue monitoring efforts alongside participating families.

In the course of 2027, these agroforestry trees will be planted in Loreto, Peru. The project is carried out in close cooperation with Camino Verde, working hand in hand with the Amazonian communities to strengthen local stewardship and long-term forest resilience. The trees will be planted across five communities. To support community-led implementation, planting workshops will be organized in each community, focusing on agroforestry techniques and sustainable land management. Once the planting has taken place, this section will be updated with planting information, including the species planted, images, and the geolocations of all sites.

On three sites (1.58 ha, 1.48 ha & 0.34 ha), in the Bombetoka Bay located in the North-West of Madagascar, more specifically in the village of Amparemahintsy (Belobaka municipality, Boeny), we're planting new mangrove trees to restore the mangrove forest. In April 2025, 22.104 mangrove trees of two species were planted here: Ceriops tagal and Rhizophora mucronata. The overall objective is to restore degraded lands and promote better management of the mangrove ecosystem to improve the living conditions of the local communities. Moreover, the mangroves provide spawning grounds for shrimps, crabs, and fish, which helps to boost the economy of the community.

In the Bombetoka Bay located in the North-West of Madagascar, more specifically in the village of Nosy Kabija (Belobaka municipality, Boeny), we've planted new mangrove trees on two sites (0.29 ha & 0.45 ha) to restore the mangrove forest. In March 2026, 5055 mangrove trees of two species were planted here: Ceriops tagal and Rhizophora mucronata. The overall objective is to restore degraded lands and promote better management of the mangrove ecosystem to improve the living conditions of the local communities. Moreover, the mangroves provide spawning grounds for shrimps, crabs, and fish, which helps to boost the economy of the community.