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Working with local governments

Every project developed as a Carbon offset project must adhere to national laws and practices. Silva Tree staff have consulted with governmental departments in Costa Rica and Panama accordingly to seek the opinions and approvals of the relevant bodies.

The Costa Rican department of environment, MINAE, was involved in the design of the Carbon offset project and their sub-department, FONAFIFO, are conducting a very similar Carbon offset project in the same area as the Silva Tree Carbon Offset forestry project.

Silva Tree are working with senior members of the Panamanian department of environment, ANAM, on the launch of the Princess Project for which ANAM have shown a great deal of enthusiasm: Not surprising as the 1,500 hectare Princess Project is equivalent to almost 28% of the entire country’s reforestation efforts in 2008, or 75% of national reforestation in 2004, according to figures published by ANAM.

Silva Tree have also visited the governmental reforestation effort, Siglo XXI (which means Century 21), and are planning an experimental Paulownia plantation as a joint venture between ANAM and Silva Tree, whereby ANAM will provide the land and Silva Tree will plant it with Paulownia. Because Paulownia is a very robust tree species, drought resistant and able to grow in severely degraded soils, it offers a perfect solution to the soil degradation problem ANAM have been facing. If the experimental project is successful, Silva Tree plan to implement a Paulownia plantation on a grand scale as a major part of the Siglo XXI governmental reforestation project.