A North Jutlander’s Mission: Sustainable Reforestation in the Amazon

In the first article, we were introduced to Søren Hoff Brøndum – a North Jutlander with an extraordinary passion for the Amazon rainforest. We shared how Søren met Ernesto and began initiating sustainability projects with local Ecuadorians.

This week, we delve deeper into the projects, examining how one can contribute to the reforestation of 200 hectares in Ecuador – all from their home in North Jutland.

Building a New Economy Post-COVID

Last week, we were introduced to Ernesto and his family, who live in a village somewhat removed from the established community, relying on the forest and its produce for their livelihood.

When COVID-19 hit the global community, Ecuador was no exception. However, unlike Denmark, which had aid packages, compensation, and deferred VAT payments, Ernesto and his family had no such support.

With the decline in tourism and the national lockdown, balsa trees became their only source of income.

INFO:

• 95% of all balsa wood comes from Ecuador
• It is a fast-growing tree species
• Grows in the Amazon
• Used in wind turbines 

During the pandemic, the entire stock of balsa wood was harvested, abruptly cutting off the local community’s only source of income.

“All balsa wood within a usable diameter was removed and sold to China, Europe, and the USA. Suddenly, all employment vanished. That’s when I proposed producing balsa wood on more sustainable terms – closer to reliable roads, so you wouldn’t have to venture all the way into the rainforest to collect it,” Søren Hoff Brøndum explains about the project’s inception.

This idea marked the beginning of Wawazonia.

Previously, balsa trees were grown in the rainforest, but Søren Hoff Brøndum introduced a new perspective.

“‘How about we utilise some of the former farmland?’ I suggested. My in-laws had 1,050 hectares of farmland that used to have export crops or livestock. Other families had similar land, which is also near the road,” he explains.

Balsa trees are a fast-growing species, which means that the locals didn't have to wait many years to see the results of their work.

After 6-10 years, the tree is ready for harvesting, reaching a height of 18 to 27 metres and a diameter of 30-115 cm.

“It aligns with the locals’ time perspective, which has a five- to six-year horizon – rather than us coming in and saying that something will be ready in 30 years. They want to see results now and here. At the same time, we are also planting more valuable tree species that will take over in the longer term,” Søren Hoff Brøndum explains.

An Alternative to Cutting Down the Rainforest 

The term “plantation land” might have negative connotations for some, but what is the alternative? For the locals in Ecuador, it means starting to clear the pristine rainforest.

This is precisely the mission of Wawazonia: to offer locals a stable income source, ensuring the original rainforest remains untouched.

In addition to balsa trees, Søren Hoff Brøndum and Ernesto have also begun growing seven or eight other timber species in their plantations. These are species that occur in such low density in the rainforest that harvesting them would end up destroying large portions of the rainforest.

“We want to provide people with a livelihood so they don’t need to cut down this amazing, biodiverse rainforest. We are creating sustainable forestry practices that offer people a means to live,” Søren Hoff Brøndum says.

Future Plans for Wawazonia 

So far, Søren Hoff Brøndum and the Wawazonia team have successfully planted 39 hectares, equivalent to around 70,000 small trees.

Their goal is to plant 200 hectares by the end of 2025, spanning five villages. However, the primary ambition is to establish economically sustainable projects that can sustain themselves.

“There are so many projects that just fall from the sky from the UN and other well-meaning organisations. But after a couple of years, they tend to disappear as quickly as they came if people pull back,” Søren Hoff Brøndum explains.

The villages where Wawazonia operates are so remote that even major relief organisations do not reach them.

You can read more about the project here:

The Economics Behind the Projects

Planting 200 hectares of forest in Ecuador’s villages is not free. Therefore, the project relies on businesses and private individuals willing to sponsor it.

Søren Hoff works closely with Growing Trees Network, which is responsible for securing corporate sponsors.

The sponsors are businesses that contribute either out of goodwill, as part of their ESG policies, or for CO2 accounting purposes. If you would like to become a sponsor yourself, you can support the initiative through Growing Trees Network.

And as we wrap up the story, Søren Hoff continues his work creating jobs, boosting the economy, and establishing tree plantations in the local villages of Ecuador.