Our Goal
The goal of Global Environmental Brigades is to improve the quality of life of rural communities in developing countries, while preventing environmental harm that will impact future generations. We aim to work with communities to develop the most sustainable and economically productive methods of agriculture, and safe effective waste management solutions. In doing this we hope to empower the current generation to climb out of poverty and attain food security, while ensuring the land is able to provide for future generations. We collaborate closely with local leaders to ensure that any programs we implement take into account regional, social, and cultural factors. In this way we strive to effect change in a more efficient and sustainable way than humanitarian organizations that have come before us.
Our Projects
Environmental Brigades volunteers work with families and community leaders to improve environmental sustainability and improve agricultural practices in rural Panama.
Our main project is reforestation using permaculture techniques. We work with communities to plant native tree species, short term food crops, and medium term cash crops. This inter-cropping restores the biodiversity and nutrient-cycling on the communities’ land while maintaining a source of income. Currently Agriculture in Panama is dominated by small scale subsistence farming. These farmers are utilizing resource intensive slash and burn agricultural practices that lead to a loss of soil fertility and erosion. Due to the degradation of farmland over time, farmers are continually pushing farther into the native forest, cutting trees and destroying biodiversity as they go. It is our goal to provide an alternative that is both more environmentally sound, and more economically beneficial for the communities we work with. We strive to empower them through workshops and educational seminars, so that they can adopt more sustainable methods of agriculture. |
Education
We also host educational workshops to teach community members about sustainable agriculture methods and waste management.Currently there is no large scale waste management system in Panama. People from indigenous communities are used to dealing with organic waste, they just throw their trash on the ground. With organic waste that is fine, but plastics don't biodegrade over time and build up in the environment. Global Brigades evaluated that the best course of action under the circumstances was to teach the communities how to safely burn their trash away from their houses. In addition we try to educate families on ways to reduce the amount of waste that they produce. We are currently trying to develop a preferential long term solution to the Rural Panamanian waste management problem.
Your Impact
• For every 1 volunteer, 100 trees are planted, offsetting 4,000 lbs of CO2 per year
• For every 1 volunteer, Land productivity is increased by 4,500 lbs per year per hectare
• For every 1 volunteer, waste is decreased by 219 lbs per year per household
• For every 1 volunteer, Land productivity is increased by 4,500 lbs per year per hectare
• For every 1 volunteer, waste is decreased by 219 lbs per year per household
The CommunitiesRural Communities in East Panama
Typical family lives on less than $3 a day Average level of education is approximately 6th grade Primary occupations are subsistence farming and artisan goods In need of alternative environmental sustainable businesses Located in areas of high biodiversity at risk of environmental degradation |