Project Princess Project Benefits Investor Safety Downloads

Environmental & Humanitarian Benefits
In 1947, Panama boasted an impressive 70% forest cover but by 2005 this figure had sadly dropped to just 42%. Forests are the lungs of the Earth and their destruction is estimated to be responsible for up to 25% of the world’s Carbon emissions. Forests are also crucial to the natural water cycle, to the country’s amazing biodiversity and to the prevention of soil erosion, a problem which is already affecting areas in Panama. 

Experts point out that the most significant cause of deforestation of Panamanian rainforest since the 1960s has been cattle ranching which required the conversion of large areas of rainforest into pasture land. The Princess Project aims to restore some of Panama’s forest cover with a tree which is believed to be the fastest growing hardwood in the world. In 2008, just 5371 hectares of land were reforested in Panama, so the 500 hectare Princess Project is equivalent to almost 10% of the entire country’s reforestation efforts in 2008, or 25% of national reforestation in 2004. 

Intercropping Wheat with Paulownia
Panama possesses 1569 known species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, of which 5.5% are endemic and 6.1% of these are threatened. Panama is also home to 9915 known species of plant, of which 12.3% are also of native origin. Although not native to Central America, Paulownia is a Tropical species originating from the Far East, and has been grown in the USA for nearly 200 years. It can provide shelter, food and a home to local animals, much like the previously dominant natural rainforest, and is well suited to the climate and terrain that Panama offers.

The Princess Project offers stable employment to local people as well as potential income to independent farmers. The Princess People community incentive encourages locals to plant crops in between tree rows on the Princess Project site: Paulownia is not damaged by low level plant crops so local farmers who are unable to buy their own croplands will be able to apply for access to use Princess Project land to grow crops for food or sale The Princess Project is causing widespread excitement, so much so that the Panamanian governmental department of environment (ANAM) is working with Silva Tree on a research project with a view to introduce the species to the government run reforestation program Siglo XXI.

Community Projects
In order to qualify for high quality Carbon offset credits, our project has to deliver a wide array of socioeconomic benefits. The Princess Project is designed according to the CCB Standard with emphasis on reducing poverty in developing countries.

Aside from the community projects regularly organized by Silva Tree such as the sponsorship of local schools and providing research opportunities to educational institutions, the Princess Project itself will benefit local communities. Local staff will be employed to work the land belonging to Silva Tree, and farmers will be invited to interplant crops on the project land. This will give people the opportunity to grow food for themselves and their families, or sell their produce to generate an income for themselves.