Proyecto Guayacán on Margarita Island, Venezuela (Phase II)

Proyecto Guayacán: grassroots recovery of threatened iconic trees on Margarita Island, Venezuela (Phase II)

Partner: Provita
Years: 2024-2027

Provita has been implementing a dry-habitat restoration program including Guaiacum officinale (EN) and other species on Margarita Island, Venezuela in areas degraded by sand mining. Natural regeneration is not sufficient to recover these habitats and that is why Provita has followed an intensive direct planting protocol. However, it is a costly effort given the challenges of dry conditions, soil degradation and competition with invasive species and grasses. Fondation Franklinia has supported this initiative since 2020, renewing its support in 2024 for a second phase.

Guaiacum officinale (EN), Handroanthus chrysanthus (VU), and Gonopterodendron arboreum (LC) are slow-growth trees that inhabit dry ecosystems of the Caribbean, Central America or northern South America. They are mainly threatened by deforestation and selective extraction for their wood, at risk of disappearing locally in the medium term. G. officinale is also the regional tree of Margarita Island and there is high potential of turning it into an icon of conservation actions for the local communities.
Fondation Franklinia has been part of this effort since 2020, with a 3-year project that led to planting 6,069 trees in 1,9 ha restored, including 1,031 G. officinale. The project was successful in achieving and even surpassing its initial target of trees planted.
The second phase was initiated in 2024 and allows this initiative to continue, starting the restoration of 2 more hectares and continuing to enrich 3.5 hectares already under restoration. These areas will be planted with 7,200 new trees, including 1,000 Guaiacum officinale, 1,000 Gonopterodendron arboreum, 200 Handroanthus chrysanthus and 5,000 trees of 13 other native species. The project will also allow to carry out a weeding and maintenance plan for the planted restoration plots and those soon to be planted. A focus will be given on finding the most efficient method to eradicate one of the most harmful invasive species, Leucaena leucocephala.