Corazón del Bosque agroecology and reforestation in Bolivia

Corazón del Bosque Bolivia Association is a non-profit organization with more than 10 years of experience dedicated to ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation in the region of Los Yungas, department of La Paz. Its mission is to act for environmental and social justice, restoring the balance between forests and people in Los Yungas. Their vision is a Yungas with regenerated and conserved ecosystems, with thriving producing families and biodiversity in balance with human development. The organization works on four axes: (1) reforestation and ecological restoration; (2) training in agroecological and sustainable production of local crops, honey, fruit trees and medicinal plants; (3) development of sustainable markets; and (4) environmental awareness and education. The target groups are peasant producer families, rural communities and students of educational units.

Geographically, Corazón del Bosque has worked in the municipalities of Coroico, Caranavi and, since 2023, in Coripata, where the Municipal Mayor's Office joined the initiative, providing a space in the community of Coscoma to install a nursery through an agreement.

In the last five years, projects have been implemented in the following areas: In agroforestry systems and agroecology, 111 beneficiaries were trained and accompanied in several communities of Coroico. In reforestation and restoration, forest diagnoses and inventories were carried out and 208,497 trees of 65 different species were planted, including ecological restoration with native species of the Perolani hill (Coroico). In beekeeping and meliponiculture, 119 beneficiaries were trained (Coroico), with delivery of hives, materials and technical support in the management of native bees. In environmental awareness, 1,779 people were reached through events in Coroico and La Paz, and an environmental education program in 4 schools with 105 students.