Beyond the Canopy

AboutIn this Forest Landscape Stories episode, we will learn about the afforestation method developed by Dr. Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist and expert in plant ecology and natural forests. His method results in maintenance-free, wild, and native forests. These forests grow in cities, along roads, around buildings, and in our own gardens. They even grow on very degraded land, under extreme conditions.We will learn about the six-step process that everyone can employ to grow a forest.Check out the Open Source guide on how to Do-It-YourselfVideo tutorials on how to make your own forest will be available soon. You can follow the related Kickstarter page here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shubzsharma/video-tutorials-to-make-your-own-forest/descriptionShubhendu SharmaThis episode’s guest is Shubhendu Sharma. Shubhendu started his career as an engineer with Toyota. A forest planting seminar by Dr. Miyawaki inspired Shubhendu to establish his own social tree planting company, Afforestt, in 2011. Besides being a successful entrepreneur who has planted over 130 forests in 10 countries, Shubhendu inspired the worldwide afforestation community with his TED talks.Contact:Email: info@afforestt.comWebsite: https://www.afforestt.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/afforesttFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/afforesttInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/afforestt/ What we learnShubhendu left his secure job at Toyota to start his own afforestation company. We get to know why and how this decision changed his perspective and vision with regards to his work.Shubhendu has also published on the Dr. Miyawaki afforestation method. With his process of planting dense and tiny forests, he has also reframed the idea of what can be a forest. Forests can be very small and planted almost everywhere.He has inspired dozens of people and organizations to create hundreds of forests around the world. These forests grow in different climatic conditions, including on very degraded sites.Shubhendu explains in detail how his forest creation process works and this information is available freely. Maintenance-free forests can be designed to deliver specific services like fruits, and noise and pollution reduction. He also explains how forests create a healthy environment for people and endangered species.Shubhendu motivates us all, and especially the younger generation, to get our hands dirty and plant lasting forests. Forests that restore and preserve life through native vegetation.About Forest Landscape StoriesHealthy forest landscapes are a mosaic of different zones: conservation, timber production, and regenerative agriculture. Water, air, nutrients, and energy flows connect these zones. Living organisms, including us, are constantly shaping these landscapes in a good or bad way. In this podcast, we will be sharing stories of inspiring people and their projects. We learn about their way of thinking, their vision, and their passion. We will try to understand what methods have enabled successful landscape restoration. Restoration of landscapes that inspire, feed, and protect.Learn more about our work: OpenForestsTell your project story through your project: explorer.landDownload our free storytelling guide: DOWNLOADImprintData privacy

Background of Izabal Agro-Forest Interactive project exploration at explorer.land Izabal Agro-Forest, S.A. (IAF) is an award-winning farm and timberland management company headquartered in Guatemala. in 1989 IAF started establishing its first production forests. They started with rubber and teak. 3 years later in 1992 IAF has increased the number of tree species and also planted and managed threatened species like Rosewood, Mahogany, Tropical Cedar and Zebrawood. In recent years IAF has strengthened its agroforestry component by also integrating fine-flavor cacao, vanilla, coconut, and avocado. But they did not stop there. In addition, they manage trials of flowering and aromatic species grown for distillation and the production of very valuable essential oils. In 2003 this innovative plantation received the Guatemalan National Forestry Institute Award for the best hardwood plantation. And 2007 the plantation received FSC “smartwood” certification. In 2014 it was recognized by the International Timber and Trade Organization (ITTO) as one of the best plantations in Guatemala. IAF as a company has grown beyond its own farm. Today, it is serving institutional and private clients in developing and managing bio-diverse forest and agroforest farms on their behalf. Contact of Juan Bronson: juan@izabalagroforest.com More about Izabal Agro-Forests Topics Juan decribes his typical work day. We discuss the differences between conventional farms and agroforestry systems. Juan explains the challenges of plating Mahogani and how they have overcome the threat of the Mahogani Shoot-Borer. We learn what makes agroforestry systems interesting from an investors perspective. Juan describes measures to capture the value within the value chain for cacao, vanilla, timber. We learn about the innovation of planting a tone wood for growing tree species used in instrument building. Juan explains how our culture can learn from the principles of agroforestry. Juan's answer to the leading question: Do only industrial monoculture forest plantations can yield reasonable returns? No! About Forest Landscape Stories We believe, that more positive examples of successful restoration projects can inspire and catalyze positive action. In this podcast you will learn about outstanding people and projects. How they have contributed in their unique way to the restoration of healthy landscapes. Learn more about our work: OpenForests Tell your project story through you project: explorer.land Download our free storytelling guide: DOWNLOAD Imprint Data privacy