For the 2023/24 season we have been encouraging MyAlbion+ members to swap out their membership pack and instead opt to plant five trees in our Albion Fan Forest in Ecuador. We are doing this with our partners www.TreeApp.org and the support of our two Ecuadorian international players Jeremy Sarmiento and Pervis Estupinan.
The project focuses on restoring forests across Ecuador by planting native species in heavily deforested mountainous areas.
A primary aim here is to restore habitats for many endangered local bird species (such as the Black-breasted Puffleg and numerous other hummingbird species), as well as empowering local communities to protect nature and generating livelihoods and training for locals.
The tree nurseries used for the seed to sapling growth are predominantly led by women, who receive the training required to deliver workshops at the tree nurseries.
Another goal is to preserve water sources for the communities as the root systems regulate the flow of fresh water into streams, which also benefits local agriculture.
Recent updates
16 February 2023
Over the coming months, new trees will most likely be planted on a large plot of mountainous farmland (3,500 metres high) in Napo, fairly close to Quito. It’s part of a huge natural corridor between several natural parks and lands, where forests have just been discovered. The local communities and organisations that TreeApp work with are trying to declare this as a protected area. They will soon follow up with drone imagery of this specific site and the site’s exact location.
The tree planting will be led by the local farmers who will benefit from the trees, and you can see some of the planters in the photo above. The project will also involve local communities, and train them for natural resources management. The most prominent tree species on the site will be Polylepis, but they are also aiming to have a total of 400 different plant species on this site. As well as numerous bird species, the forest will also be a habitat for a local fox species: Lobo Andino.
27 December 2023
With the support of Brighton & Hove Albion MyAlbion+ members and the club’s partnership with TreeApp we have successfully planted 4,165 trees in the Imbabura region of Ecuador, with many more on their way. A massive thank you to all the members who chose to plant trees, together we have made a huge contribution to reforestation efforts in Ecuador.
The trees that have been planted have been expertly selected to ensure that they are tree species native to the area which benefit local populations of endangered birds such as the Andean Condor, Peregrine Falcon, Aplomado Falcon and the Blue-mantled Thornbill. The significance of this initiative cannot be overstated, especially considering Ecuador's deforestation in recent years. By focusing on replanting in protected areas, we hope to make a meaningful contribution to the restoration and preservation of these crucial ecosystems.
The tree-planting has benefits not only for the local wildlife but also local communities who benefit from employment generated by the tree nursery and tree planting programme. In addition to local employment, TreeApp worked with local partners to organise an educational session for 13 children and young people from the fishing port of San Pedro. The focus was on educating them about migratory birds in the area, fostering a sense of environmental awareness among the younger generation.