Involving the local population is our unwavering precondition for successfully creating a new stable forest with full ecological benefits, instead of rapid growth plantations which follow the quick-profit scheme. This process begins with the ideal selection of land areas, which is decided by biological, climatic, and hydrological facts, and equally important, social aspects. Who is the owner of the land?
A fair exchange of interests without expulsion or taking advantage of the financial situation of sellers has always been part of our corporate philosophy. ForestFinance contributes to the improvement of the living and working conditions in rural Panama, including the land sellers, through the creation of long-term and socially secure jobs and through additional social programmes.
Movie nights, Christmas parties or football games with the ForestFinance-Treestars – we have found a way to become involved in the local development by offering social and leisure activities.
“I like to learn and to try out new things. The more skills you master, the more flexible you become”, says Nicolás Santos, our all-round talent. He has been working for ForestFinance for over 15 years and knows every step of the process chain. Together with his wife and his three children he lives on the grounds of the tree nursery in Santa Cruz. Currently, Nicolás learns how to become a carpenter, of course by making use of the sustainably produced timber derived from the project. Soon, the new carpentry school will give many other employees new perspectives as well.