To Build A Village (in Haiti)

Happy Monday! 🌱 #reimagineagricultureinhaiti #haitian #tobuildavillageinhaiti #haiti #agrikilti #soilhealth #soilbiology

Recently, we set out to jumpstart the soil biology of a new garden plot. It was so exciting when the first worms began to appear! Soil biology is needed for nutrient cycling, soil structure, plant growth, decomposition, and pest and disease control. Without soil biology, we only have the physical and unliving components of soil. #reimagineagricultureinhaiti #tobuildavillageinhaiti #soilbiology #haiti

We enjoy the classical rhythms of Haiti .... https://bit.ly/4cGnMcy .... let's dance together over the miles this weekend! 🪇 #reimagineagricultureinhaiti #tobuildavillageinhaiti

In March 2022, American Forests partnered with Rio Grande Return to plant a riparian forest in New Mexico (USA). The project involved removing 18,000 yards of soil, then reconnecting the streamside forest with the Rio Grande River and reengineering that forest area to catch more rainfall. Monsoon season immediately brought harsh storms but also resulted in the amazing growth of the forest within a single season as the water was allowed to slow, spread, and sink into underground water reserves. Amazing! Read more .... https://bit.ly/3WgBDjR .... https://bit.ly/3WtBjQ6 .... https://bit.ly/3zLSBPk .... Video (3:23min) .... https://bit.ly/3y6mlWH .... 💦 #watershedsinhaiti #riverrestoration #haitian #haiti #tobuildavillageinhaiti

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Lastly, the long roots along river and stream banks improve soil structure, increasing its ability to absorb and retain water. This enhanced infiltration allows more water to percolate through the soil, where it is naturally filtered before reaching groundwater sources, resulting in greater water availability. Riparian buffer zones often support pollinator habitats, managed timber, fruit, and nut trees, managed woody florals, and windbreaks. They help to maintain clean and healthy waterways and to restore ecosystem services. A powerful, long-term, nature-based solution for the restoration of Haiti's rivers, streams, underground water tables, and watersheds. 🐝🌴🌲 #riverrestoration #haitianrivers #tobuildavillageinhaiti #haiti

A riparian buffer is an extended fringe of native grasses, shrubs, and trees planted along stream banks. These vegetation buffers improve water quality by filtering sediment and pollutants from soil runoff, reducing the amount of harmful substances entering rivers and streams. The long root systems not only prevent erosion but support diverse microbial communities that break down organic pollutants and toxins, further purifying the water. They also reduce the amount of sediment that washes into waterways. This stabilization keeps water clearer and protects aquatic habitats.🌾 #riverrestoration #haitianrivers #tobuildavillageinhaiti #cleanwater #haiti

A watershed is an area of land where all the rainfall drains towards a common outlet. Haiti's rainfall, as it travels through all of her watersheds, flows toward the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Gonâve, or the Caribbean Sea. Rainfall travels toward these shared drainage basins through a network of tributaries (small rivers and streams) that flow into a large river outlet. This means that the water moving through a watershed tangibly connects all living things, both upstream and downstream. 🦋 #tobuildavillage #watershedrestoration #riversinhaiti #haiti

Additionally, healthy rivers that overflow into floodplains after heavy rains allow the overflow to slowly seep down and refill underground water reserves. This allows the long root systems of native plants, throughout the hottest seasons, to draw up groundwater that hydrates surrounding vegetation. Healthy river overflows also deposit nutrient-rich sediment onto the floodplains, aiding in natural soil-building processes. 🌊 A great read about UNEP's floodplain management project in Haiti's Trois-Rivières region .... https://bit.ly/4f9nltL .... #tobuildavillageinhaiti #riverrestoration #floodplainmanagement #haitian

The most effective method of erosion control for rivers and streams is restoring bank vegetation, which is also one of the easiest and most cost-effective approaches for waterway restoration. Using native vegetation, such as grasses, bushes, and trees, is especially important because these plants are adapted to the local environment, making them more resilient and effective in stabilizing the soil. They should be well-cared for while their long root systems become established. #tobuildavillageinhaiti #restoringrivers #riverrestoration #haiti