Viridian Energy Returns from Amazon Preservation Project
During this five day trip, 29 Viridian corporate leaders, sales Associates, and guests worked in the Mamori region of the Amazon in second growth forests. These are deforested areas where shrubs and grass are re-growing, but not necessarily original tree species. Viridian worked to replant more than 300 indigenous species that grew in the area before it was deforested.
Viridian has restructured their efforts in the region. When they began this project last year, their intent and goal was to plant 5,000 trees. However, as they got deeper in the work, they realized that simply re-planting trees was not the answer to saving and restoring the rainforest. The problem was the degradation of soil and second growth forests that produce non-original species of plants and trees which do not replenish the original forest.
Viridian therefore partnered with the local university in Manaus to replenish the forest back to an original state. In partnership with the university, they are now tracking nutrient levels in the soil before, during and after the re-plantings. They are also tracking which re-planted species take root in the area, which thrive and under what conditions, and which do not. Based on this data and research, Viridian has built a greenhouse to grow its own seedlings to replant in future trips to the region. With the information the university is tracking, Viridian is creating a reforestation blueprint that will specifically chart how to reforest efficiently and effectively, and which can be used throughout the Amazon.
"20% of the earth used to be covered by rainforest. Now, thanks to deforestation, it's 6%," said Cami Boehme, SVP of Brand Communications for Viridian Energy and executive host of this spring's journey. "Since our first trip to the Amazon during Viridian's 7 Continents in 7 Years initiative, we have transformed and evolved our mission for the Amazonian region -- instead of just focusing on replanting a large number of trees. We have restructured our efforts in the Amazon to create a viable blueprint for not only Viridian, but others as we push forward with reforestation efforts."
Additionally, Viridian has embarked on an education campaign and program for the local Amazonian community which teaches how to respect and preserve the rainforest. Viridian is partnering with local organizations to teach residents how to farm responsibly and sustainably. They are also focused on education concerning the importance of preserving the untouched rainforest areas.
"Our experience replanting trees and indigenous plants in the Mamori region was incredible. To see the effects of deforestation in person gave us a realistic picture of the harmful impact deforestation has on the Mamori region, and the rest of the world," said Joe Occhiogrosso, a Viridian sales Associate from Basking Ridge, New Jersey. "I am proud to represent an organization that continually supports sustainability efforts throughout the world. Viridian could have visited this region once and completed a reforestation project, but instead they are continually supporting their initial efforts and transforming their goal, as they perceive the needs of the rainforest and locals, to create a greater environmental impact."
This was Viridian's third trip to the Mamori region. Viridian will return to this region to continue the reforestation and sustainability efforts biannually over the next 10 years.
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