Many families in Guatemala are still recovering from the devastating effects of a 36 year long civil war in the region. Communities have lost their loved ones, livelihoods, and land. Guatemala's government has been providing those most affected by the war with new land to restore their livelihoods. However, much of that land is devoid of its natural forest and good soil, making even basic agriculture difficult and unsustainable.
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By working with the local families to restore the land they now call theirs, and by implementing sustainable agricultural practices, Era is providing them with the first source of income their community has earned in at least 5 years. By sponsoring this forest you will not only restore these once tropical lands, but you will also pave the way toward lifting families out of poverty by providing them a sustainable income through the development of life-giving agroforestry.

This project provides:
Jobs to Restore the Planet
Era employs communities to restore their environment. Era works in places where jobs are hard to come by. For many of the people hired, this work is their first sustainable employment opportunity. Jobs create socioeconomic benefits for individuals, families, and communities.
Healthier Soil
The regions Era works in are facing desertification. This is the slow process of a once healthy forested area turning into a desert. During this process the quality of the soil greatly diminishes making agriculture difficult. By reforesting the region it improves local agriculture and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Sustainable Livelihoods
Jobs to restore the environment are a great short-term solution for the communities involved in restoration projects, but long-term sustainable industries need to be established. Era works closely with the communities to build sustainable community cooperatives to improve livelihoods.
Purified Water
Acting as Earth's water filters, tree roots capture pollutants from groundwater, swamps, and brackish coastlines. On top of this forests help stabilize water tables and make water more easily accessible.
Carbon Sequestration
Trees store carbon in their roots, trunks, and branches. By restoring the forest you can help offset your carbon footprint and be a part of tackling climate change.
Agroforestry
Native and naturalized fruit tree species are grown in the area which serves the families planting the forest with food for themselves and food that they can take to market.