Let's Build Gonave, Haiti!

I received an email today asking additional questions from the group behind the Pollinator Grant.  This would be a $1,000 grant that would be used to beautify the existing Public Plaza, create pollinator gardens, and help with the current deforestation and erosion issues on the island of La Gonave. This is an opportunity to push this project further than ever.  This grant will allow us to go full steam ahead and build up the areas near and around Anse-a-Galets.  Anse-a-Galets will be the starting point for most of our projects from the honeybee program, the honeybee highway, to our reforestation efforts. I will specify in the language we provide to the pollinator grant group that we will purchase Vetiver from Haitian suppliers, which will then be planted by locals.  Vetiver is very important as it will establish a strong root system that will go deep into the soil.  This will help prevent soil run-off, but also help to prevent areas of heavy flash flooding....

This is something we have been working on for some time.  Due to many different needs having a group of mostly volunteers for the refoestation of La Gonave, as well as preservation is crucial.  This group will also help the newly formed Honeybee industry on the island. Future beautification projects will be due to this group making it possible.  While the name of the association mentions wildflowers, the group also will focus on trees as well.  Most of the trees and wildflowers will be native, while others non-native species are for reasons of industry or reforestation. This group will be instrumental in building pollinator gardens and then explaining to the public and beekeepers what each flower does. This is exciting! Go Gonave!

When visiting La Gonave later this year, we will be discussing with the Mayor of Anse-a-Galets many things from housing to jobs.  We are wanting to build a greenhouse and a pollinator garden.  The greenhouse will not only have seedlings and starter plants for vegetables which farmers can then grow on their property, but it will also have flowers and wild plants for bees and for reforestation. So what will the pollinator garden look like, and what is its purpose?  The pollinator garden will be on about 1 acre of land, and contain many flowers that will help honeybees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other bees.  The land will also contain a 12' x 32' hoop-style greenhouse.  The greenhouse will also contain at least two honeybee hives which will aid the greenhouse and nearby pollinator garden. The garden will help with reforestation efforts in a controlled environment.  In this garden various trees will be grown.  Moringa, various banana, palm, bambo...

The Bidens Pilosa has started germinating in soil.  We had to put the seeds indoors and in a room that is set for temperatures of 70 - 80 degrees.  With us adding more seeds, and a very thin layer of dirt over the seeds, it took the seeds only two days to show results. This is a major step in our research of not only reforestation, but also proving plants that have many benefits to people as well as pollinating birds, animals, and insects.  The plants will help with our later farm projects as well.  These plants will serve as seeding plants only.  Meaning we will harvest these plants and get the seeds to expand our project in Haiti.  The seeds will be in their raw form to be planted, and some will be turned into paper that can be planted We will post the progress of the Bidens Pilosa on our Gonave TV channel on YouTube once the plant has reached its full size. Go Gonave!

To aid in the future honeybee project as well as aid in human nutrition, Moringa Tree seeds have been planted in La Gonave in the city of Anse-a-Galets.  Let's Build Gonave, Haiti has teamed up with Greater Good, Haiti to start this project. The goal is to have many shared programs and the planting of the Moringa Tree seeds is one such program.  This will allow the honeybee project to move forward and aid in the development of better health and food for the Haitian people. This project will also help aid in the future forestation project for the island of La Gonave as well. Go Gonave!

One of the most important things that has come out of the fodder assessment study on La Gonave has been what plant growth can be established that will benefit the environment, multipurpose, and a plant that will not be harvested or destroyed by the local population. Bidens Pilosa will produce bright white flowers and a large yellow center.  In fact the plant flower is a 2 in 1.  The white pedals are a flower, but the yellow center contains many independent flowers.  Bidens Pilosa can handle the soil and sun of Haiti, but makes a perfect food product for honeybees.  Due to the extremely fast growth, low water needs, and the fact the plant can multiply itself very easy, makes this a perfect plant to help with honeybee production. The plant also can be eaten by humans in salads, tea, etc.  It serves as traditional medicine in many cultures as it helps treat worm infections in humans in Africa. As mentioned in a previous post, the reforestation of La Gonave...

Reforestation of La Gonave and the Honey Bee project Phase 1A.  Vetiver Vetiver grass will be planted and reproduced on La Gonvae for future reforestation plans.  The grass holds onto the soil, and allows for good water retention due to its long root system.  The grass is resistant to drought and provides good soil buildup.  This grass is good for crops to be planted next to it. Phase 1B.  Moringa Tree This is called the "Miracle Tree" due to the entire tree being useful for human consumption.  The tree also can provide food for livestock as well.  This tree is fast growing and has very large roots.  It produces seeds which are designed to float to the ground near the tree, and will grow on their own. These trees will have value in many different ways and will also be a crop that can be sold to markets on the island. This tree will produce flowers that honeybees love.  In fact the honey that is created due to the flowers of th...

La Gonave is currently being studied as a fodder assessment.  This assessment will determine how to stabilize food crops for people, and animals.  Not only that but the assessment will find ways to fast track vegetation in sections of the island. The purpose of re-forestation is to bring the environment back to where it was.  Other programs we are running are finding ways that stoves and ways to produce alternatives to charcoal.  These programs are all dependent on each other.  To stop the massive amount of deforestation a fuel alternative is needed.  Vetiver is an option for cooking fuel.  While other programs such as Sunn Hemp will focus on compost measures, Vetiver will focus on building the environment on La Gonave. Vetiver will clean the area where it is planted, and it stays in place.  So there is no concern about the plant landing in areas where it shouldn't be, in fact the seeds from the grass are sterile.  The plant traps bacter...