Planting Empowerment grew from the work of four former Peace Corps Volunteers. Each lived and worked for two years among Panama’s poorest, where they gained a deep understanding of the political, environmental, and economic issues tied into deforestation and conservation. They learned that these issues must be addressed to benefit all parties and make any real progress. Based upon their 10+ years combined experience, the founders of Planting Empowerment are crafting a better approach, a way to satisfy the economic needs of rural Panamanians while at the same time managing and benefitting from sustainable timber production.

Planting Empowerment leases private land from poor rural Panamanians to plant and manage sustainable timber plantations. The business is the link between these poor landowners and investors who wish to have a socially and environmentally concious holding. PE is the managing partner—it plants, maintains, and harvests and sells the timber over a 25 year investment cycle.

Planting Empowerment recently completed its first 25 acre pilot project with a few forward-thinking local landowners with whom its founders have close ties. Building on their support and interest, Planting Empowerment hopes to expand and involve other community members looking to gain the most from their scarce resources.