Video update on the status of our Ecuadorian project

In the spring of 2024, journalist and filmmaker Mads Haukrogh and our project manager Søren Hoff Brøndum visited our afforestation activities with the Shuar Indians in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Here, we have planted more than 100,000 balsa trees in five villages in previous deforestation. The balsa trees capture large amounts of carbon and provide financial support to the local community.

The project is important in a part of the world where consequences are rough, if illness or other accidents strike, and where there are virtually no social safety nets. And the project helps to keep the original wild rainforest intact, because the indigenous people – who own large areas of the rainforest – otherwise must resort to tree felling if money is tight.

The trees grow quickly and are primarily used in the wind turbine industry, where light wood is ideal for wind turbine blades. When the balsa trees are taken out after about 5 years, a mix of native species will be planted.

Danish and international companies have donated the trees, and the goal is to plant over 200 hectares by next year.

Following the link here you can see the film that Mads produced, where the locals talk about their daily lives and what a difference the project makes for them.

Watch the film here