As part of his fellowship with the Center for Collaborative Conservation, International Director Sebastian Africano is working with our partners in Haiti to help local farmers develop more sustainable sources of income by adding diverse, agro-forestry plantations to their current farming practices. This will reduce their reliance on charcoal production and restore forest cover on Haitian landscapes, a country with only 2 percent of natural forest remaining. This proof of concept project will set the stage for a model that can be widely replicated for the purpose of recovering and rehabilitating Haiti’s natural resources while developing sustainable livelihoods for rural smallholders throughout the country.
Sebastian is working with CSU collaborators, including MBA students from the Global, Social and Sustainable Enterprise (GSSE) program, the Engines and Energy Conservation Laboratory (EECL), the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, and the Anthropology Department. In addition, the AMURT and land owners and land users in Haiti will lend support and expertise to the project.
Enjoy these photos from Sebastian’s recent 3-week trip to Haiti!
Sustainable Development, Sustainable Livelihoods 