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Friday, January 9th 2009 [ versión español ]
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This planting of 5,000 trees included various species. |
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Chancellor of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM), doctor Jorge I. Vélez Arocho and the outgoing secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA by its Spanish Acronym) Javier Vélez Arocho, along with personnel from the UPRM Experimental Substation in Lajas, initiated, at the end of December, the first phase of the planting of 5,000 trees on a farm in Lajas, where they planted tree number 4 million of the Green Reforestation Project 100 x 35.
“The planting that took place on Mataró Farm, UPRM property, is extremely significant for those of us in the Department because we have reached the goal of planting 4 million trees. It’s greatly significant because it deals with a project developed by our agency and UPRM in which a secondary forest of native species will develop,” reported Javier Vélez Arocho, who was director of the Department until December 31, 2008.
UPRM Chancellor Jorge I. Vélez Arocho indicated that, “this reforestation project will be marked within the preparations for the UPRM centennial celebration in 2011. Aiding in the development of forests in Puerto Rico is an important part of our Institution’s mission.”
This planting, according to the ex-secretary, “consists of various phases that are being integrated into the farm’s management plan with the intention of reaching various objectives, among them: to obtain alternatives fountains of seeds for native species and others that have the possibility of strengthening the DRNA seed bank and to develop reforestation strategies for native species.”
Among the species that were planted are: fig trees, coscorrones, palos amargos, palos blancos, jibas, mavíes (abeyuelos), cachimbos, corchos blancos, magas and jácanas.
The Green Reforestation Project 100 ×35 has as its objective the planting and conservation of forests to develop greater environmental consciousness among Puerto Ricans.
Through this project the DRNA proposed: to strengthen the protection of hydrographic basins, wetlands, and sensitive terrains, to protect coastal zones, and urban trees, and to improve the quality of life.
From the left hand side: UPRM chancellor, Jorge I. Vélez Arocho; the outgoing secretary of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Javier Vélez Arocho; Dean of the UPRM College of Agricultural Sciences (CCA by its Spanish acronym), doctor John Fernández Van Cleve; and doctor Skip Van Bloem, of the Department of Agronomy and Soils of the CCA.
The purpose of the planting, whose first phase took place on Mataró Farm in Lajas, is to develop a secondary forest of native species.
Photos by Carlos Díaz / UPRM Pess
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