WasserWald project: a successful year despite difficulties

Image: © Defensores de la Naturaleza

Project work in 2023 was characterised by significant political changes in partner organisations and clear climate change impacts in the project regions in all three countries.

In particular, the scarcity of water resources, rising average temperatures and the increased frequency of extreme weather events place high demands on adaptation, especially in agriculture.

Here, OroVerde's measures in the WasserWald project once again made an important contribution.

In another very dry year, the focus has once again been on a range of forest fire prevention activ-ities. For example, the project partners cleared firebreaks to prevent fires.

Image: Project workers build firebreaks in Mexico.
© Pronatura Mexico

Following training, sat-ellite data can now be analysed to determine which areas should be used. To combat water shortages, existing cisterns were maintained and a new cistern was built in a joint effort. This means that the water supply for people, animals and plants can be guaranteed even in times of drought. In the Sierra de Guadalupe National Park, project workers have built barriers of dead wood along the contour lines. These slow down water run-off and are intended to prevent soil erosion.

Image: A couple in Guatemala enjoys the harvest from their newly planted home garden.
© Defensores de la Naturaleza

In Guatemala, too, a wide variety of measures have been implemented. For example, a total of 15,280 tree seedlings were planted in spring areas at four locations within one year. This was done to strengthen the water balance. Maintenance training was organised to ensure the long-term use of the 37 water systems already installed. Other training focused on cultivation, shade planting, fertilisation and improving soil fertility in the agroforestry system. The 67 'energy for-ests', planted with fast-growing plants as a source of firewood, have also developed well.

Project annual report 2023 (PDF, German version)