PE is in the commercial forestry business. The trees planted on our partners' degraded land will be harvested at the end of a 25-year growing cycle. However, the land lease payments to our local partners are designed to decrease their need to log surrounding old-growth rainforest. Our indigenous partnering community Arimae has agreed to conserve 2.5 hectares of their rainforest reserve for every hectare that PE plants on their land. All of our planting sites are located either in, or close to, our partners communities, and we plant only on the portion of their land that is degraded and not earning them any income. The rest of their land is free for them to pursue traditional practices such as agriculture or cattle breeding.
PE plants 30% teak, and 70% native species such as mahogany, spanish cedar and cocobolo, which are indigenous to Panama and well-known by locals. This mixed-species model ensures strong ecological diversity in our plantations and reduces our need to use chemicals to control pests and plagues. Diversifying the mix of tree species in a plantation also reduces overall investment risk. PE does employ minimal amounts of chemical fertilizer to help the saplings establish strong roots when first planted. We are currently looking for an affordable organic fertilizer supplier because we believe it to be better for the long term growth of our plantations. PE also uses an FSC-approved fungicide, and two pesticides to treat attacked trees and reduce harvester ant damage.
Additionally, PE allows natural vegetation corridors to regrow between the rows of planted trees and leaves selected non-commercial trees throughout the plantations to provide further habitat/biodiversity. Finally, PE natural vegetation is left intact next to creeks and rivers to protect watersheds and reduce erosion.
Through PE's model soil fertility is improved, biodiversity is increased, watersheds are protected and replenished, and a more rich habitat is provided.
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