Soil Erosion in Haiti

 Soil erosion in Haiti is perhaps one of the saddest environmental degradation stories in modern times. The erosion has resulted in, or accentuated, the numerous other problems the country faces.

To date, world efforts towards addressing this environmental tragedy are inadequate and have not achieved high levels of success. Soil erosion has led to damages to building foundations in Haiti and the siltation of dams. It has accelerated mudslides and flooding in cities and towns, and is a major limitation to the availability of clean water.

Success with Perennial Grasses

The Haiti Grass Project is one of a number of projects for agricultural villages that can help decrease poverty in the rural areas.

We’re successfully planting grass in Haiti to reduce soil erosion.  Some of the planting sites include Gonaives, St Marc, Bwa Blan, Jacmel, Marigot, and Port-au-Prince.

Villagers are planting grass in their communities around houses, churches, schools, and other public buildings. Project teams are also working with rural Haitians to plant grass in the mountains.

Planting grass is a relatively inexpensive solution to the ecologically damaging erosion processes. The grass project in Haiti is hampered by lack of grass seed and logistics. Demand is growing to plant in additional areas and to get grass seed. You can help meet this need.

We need your help!

In villages

It’s a challenge to keep up with the demand from Haitian villagers for grass seed and help with logistics.

With nominal donations, together we can stabilize soils with deeply rooting grasses to protect the land from erosion. Please help us by supporting 1, 2, or more acres! 

As the soils become stabilized, another way you can join us is to support the planting of fruit trees to bring fruit and revenue for the villagers.

Please support this cause. Let’s put an end to soil erosion in Haiti!

In the Mountains

Due to land tenure, the mountains are mostly public lands. Individuals don’t typically own parcels of land in the most mountainous regions.

However, trees in the mountains are continually being cut down for fuel. This causes severe erosion.  

To combat this erosion, we’re planting bahiagrass and Bermuda grass.

Disaster Preparedness

We often hear about disaster recovery. But what about preparation in advance to alleviate the impact of disasters? Hurricanes are a major disaster in Haiti.  They have killed thousands of people, mostly through landslides due to unstable soils. To minimize mudslides, Haitian villagers plant grasses, stabilizing soils in the eroded areas.

Be part of the long-term solution for hurricane preparedness. A few dollars now can save innumerable lives over generations. Your donation is key to this solution.

Education on Environmental Conservation

Education on natural resource conservation is crucial in Haiti. Evidence shows this results in a mind-shift,  a change in cultural practices, and increased valuation of the environment.

Join the environment education team in Haiti to bring awareness to hundreds of individuals and communities

Goats

Goats are a major challenge to the ecology in Haiti. They’re hardy and survive in dry conditions. But goats also browse the grass we’re planting and would love to eat it all!

We’re therefore exploring ways to protect the grass from goats. We’re working with Haitian authorities, as well as with organizations that provide goats, to develop goat management practices.

Tree and Grass Nurseries

In the US we can go to Lowes, Home Depot, and many places to buy plants and grass. This is not so in Haiti. Nurseries are not readily available.

That’s why we’re establishing nurseries for trees and grasses. Villagers plant trees native to Haiti in the nurseries. Our experiences show that villagers are less likely to cut trees if they have grown the trees themselves. When the trees are ready, villages can sell them for income. The nurseries also serve as education centers. 

Solar cookers

People in Haiti cut trees down to use for charcoal. Until alternatives for cooking fuel have been developed, the trees will disappear.  Haiti has plentiful sunlight. We’re therefore experimenting with providing solar cookers to reduce the number of trees cut for charcoal.

The project’s first solar cooker was donated by Board member Dr Fancy Funk.