Eco-Ecuador Dry Tropical Forest Revegetation Project

The Dry Tropical Vegetation of Bahia De Caraquez coastal bioregion is both specific and barely extant. The Project began as an effort to stabilize hillsides (which had recently become mudslides) by replanting a combination of indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses. Working with local people as well as international volunteers, the various project managers have each left their mark on the Eco-Ecuador Project. This page is a compilation of who they are and were and a links to their Reports.

Hillside Revegetation in El Astillero

By Clay Plager-Unger | August 16, 2019

Planet Drum maintains a satellite greenhouse operation and revegetation site in the Astillero neighbor just outside of downtown Bahía de Caráquez with cooperation from our longtime friend José María. The extremely steep and eroding revegetation site was planted with 75 trees in December, 2018 – January, 2019. Today we visited the site to monitor and water the trees that were planted. The site has maintained a […]

Youth Volunteerism

By Clay Plager-Unger | August 15, 2019

In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in youth volunteering in the region. Many of them are involved in environmental work, often tree planting, which means that sooner or later they find out about Planet Drum’s revegetation project and want to participate. One group, Fuerza Equitativa Juvenil de San Vicente (Equitable Youth Force of San Vicente), is a loosely knit group of young adults who volunteer […]

Vía Segura Project

By Clay Plager-Unger | July 20, 2019

Planet Drum Foundation has been invited by the Sucre County Municipality to participate in an ambitious project to improve 32 kilometers of highway between Bahía de Caráquez and San Clemente, the closest town to the south. The project plans to improve the security, cellphone reception, emergency services, and the environment over the next four years and relies on cooperation between various institutions, including the national […]

Bahía Eco-Club Collaboration

By Clay Plager-Unger | July 10, 2019

There is a new ecological club in town, Bahía Eco-Club, which connects youth volunteers,  local students and international volunteers on environmental projects, such as tree-planting. Planet Drum has been assisting them with technical advice, volunteers, and trees. In cooperation with the Eloy Alfaro school in Bahía de Caráquez, they are implementing a new greenhouse operation and recycling center, utilizing an area of the school which […]

Photographers without Borders

By Clay Plager-Unger | June 14, 2019

Professional photographer Matt Timmins from Photographers without Borders joined Planet Drum’s Ecuador project in early June to document the work and provide photos and videos for promotional purposes. While Matt was here, he documented city life in Bahía de Caráquez. Together we visited the greenhouse at the Catholic University, taught bioregional education to neighborhood children in Bellavista with Planet Drum’s volunteers, planted trees at the […]

Community Outreach

By Clay Plager-Unger | June 12, 2019

Community outreach is an integral aspect of Planet Drum’s environmental program in Ecuador. In June, we were invited to participate in two regional events related to ecology. On June 5th-6th, a biodiversity conference was held at the Technical University of Manabí. Environmental organizations from Bahía and the surrounding area participated in an open house with educational booths and materials. Additionally, lectures were held on various themes […]

Seed Collection

By Clay Plager-Unger | April 15, 2019

Recent seed collection excursions in and around Bahia have yielded Cascol, Guayaba, Tamarind, and Pechiche seeds. At the greenhouse, volunteers planted the seeds in seedbeds. They will be ready for transplanting in approximately 2-3 months.

Greenhouse Activities

By Clay Plager-Unger | April 12, 2019

Keeping the Planet Drum greenhouse running smoothly and the trees healthy and growing well involves weeding, watering, and organizing trees. Volunteers are key to the successful production of native trees at the greenhouse!

Transplanting Seedlings

By Clay Plager-Unger | April 9, 2019

At the Planet Drum greenhouse, volunteers work hard to produce new trees. The seedbeds had Tamarind, Guava, and Mango seedlings ready for transplanting into bottles. Soil was prepared and mixed. Bottles were cut and filled with soil. 200 Tamarind, 100 Guava and 150 Mango seedlings were transplanted into the bottles.

Tree Planting in the Ciudadela Maria Enrique Orrantia Neighborhood

By Clay Plager-Unger | March 22, 2019

Residents in the Ciudadela Maria Enqiue Orrantia requested more native fruit trees for planting in their community. We did a tree planting campaign there 5 months ago. Guayaba, Guava, Chirimoya, Mango, Mandarin and Orange trees were delivered and over the course of several days 80 trees were planted on two sides of the neighborhood. Local residents assisted in the tree planting and will be responsible […]