Inside each seed is a dream of the entire forest

SeedsDream Reforestation Project

Ecuadorian Amazon

The SeedsDream project was initiated in 2005 by indigenous leaders and an ecologist from the US deeply concerned about both the cultural and ecological impacts of deforestation. In the past, small clearings would always grow back. Now trees once common had not been seen in over 20 years, and a generation was growing up without the forest. Without the plants traditionally used for food, medicine and ritual, centuries of cultural heritage was disappearing.

Our goal is to reverse this trend of regional extinctions by creating refuge forests and developing networks of seed exchange among indigenous communities. We are working to unite traditional and scientific perspectives on tropical rainforests and their essential value. Reforestation is bringing excitement and hope, precisely because it connects a deep cultural heritage with tangible environmental action.

Why doesn't the forest grow back?

When a rainforest is cut down, the first species grow from seeds in the soil or seeds that have been brought by birds, bats, or the wind. These seeds are small and can be carried long distances. However, many rainforest trees have very large seeds and need monkeys or large birds to carry their seeds. These animals do not live in large deforested areas, so the seeds never arrive from the jungle. If deforestation has claimed pollinators such as birds or bats, the species will not be able to reproduce. Some tree species probably evolved to be dispersed by animals that went extinct thousands of years ago, so they may already be rare even in intact forest! Finally, human activities often change the soil and the climate, making it harder for plants to establish.

What is a refuge forest?

In deforested communities, we are planting species that have disappeared from the local area on small (5-20 acre) pieces of land within indigenous communities. Special attention is paid to trees that are rare, improve the soil, offer fruits for wildlife, or have special medicinal or cultural value. When the trees mature, their seeds will help reforest the surrounding area and provide seed sources for local agroforestry projects. Some of our plantings are associated with schools and are maintained with the help of the children and their teachers.