Planeterra Announces Rainforest Initiative that Engages and Trains Indigenous Peoples While Reforest

Planeterra, the non-profit organisation administered by Gap Adventures, the world leader in small group adventure travel, is providing once landless local people uprooted by change the chance to learn how to grow their own food and reforest two regions in southern Brazil as a step toward self-sufficiency, announced Richard G. Edwards, Director, Planeterra Foundation.

The Brazil Community Reforestation Program, one of Planeterra’s over 30 global community outreach projects, will result in 450,000 trees being planted in the communities of Parana and Sao Paolo by the end of 2009. The programme will also provide the communities of Marilia and Londrina with access to training workshops and seedlings, thus enabling them to increase food production, create natural barriers on their lands and provide shade and fodder for livestock and other animals.

Edwards underscores the importance of the reforestation work, noting that some of the deforestation of Brazil’s tropical rainforest, in essence the ‘lungs’ of the planet that absorb carbon dioxide, "can be reversed by expanding protected areas and developing methods of sustainable forestry."

"It’s critical that local peoples have ownership of the restoration because they will benefit economically while helping to maintain the natural ecosystems."

Planeterra is working with Trees for the Future (TFTF) to support local community groups in taking back their lands and in creating a sustainable relationship with their environment.
Headquartered in Washington DC, TFTF has been committed to reforesting areas and planting indigenous species since 1989. Through seed distribution, agro forestry training, and country programs, TFTF empowers rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands.
Edwards said that travellers can contribute to the development of new programmes in other communities around the world. Additional funding and donations received will be used to develop new programs in Africa and Asia.

For details on Planeterra’s global reach and the opportunities it offers travellers to roll up their sleeves and assist communities at the grass roots, please see www.planeterra.org/pages/projects/2.php

Planeterra Foundation is a global non-profit dedicated to sustainable community development through travel. It was founded in 2003 by Gap Adventures, the largest independent adventure travel company in the world. Edwards is also a member of Gap Adventure’s executive management team, where he helps oversee the company’s rapid growth. Planeterra evolved out of a long history of travelers committed to finding ways to give back to the people and places they visit. Planeterra selects the projects and works with Gap Adventures and other partners to arrange voluntour travel programmes, and support local community projects.
For information on Planeterra’s year-round voluntour programmes please go to www.planeterra.org or call 001-416-260-0999.

For more information, interviews and photos please contact: Sara Widness / 001-802-234-6704 / sara@widnesspr.com or Dave Wiggins / 001-303-554-8821/ d.wiggins@comcast.net

Press Contact:
Richard G Edwards
Planeterra Foundation
19 Charlotte Street
Toronto, Ontario M5V 2H5
001-416-260-0999
richard@planeterra.org
http://www.planeterra.org