The last great rainforest of Central America is located in the South of Honduras. Sadly the rate of deforestation here has remained steady and since 2007, Naturefund has been working with the Patuca Association in order to help prevent this.

The last great rainforest of Central America

The rainforest, which once covered a large part of Central America, has over the centuries been reduced to the small area that you see today. The last great rainforest of Central America measured 10,000 square metres - an area so large that it would cover a quarter of Switzerland - and stretched from southeast Honduras all the way to Nicaragua.

Our aim is to protect the unique variety of species who live here for the long-term. Jaguar, Anteaters, Margays, wild Parrots and other rare species will all have a chance at survival. 

Deforestation in the rainforest

In order to develop new agricultural areas, more and more of the rainforest has been steadily destroyed. At the same time, extensive cultivation and use of the land as pasture for cattle has meant that the quality of the soil has decreased, leaving it devoid of nutrients.

In order to prevent further deforestation and further damage, it is vital to increase awareness and also to find new sources of income for the farmers.

In order to protect an replenish the rainforest the hondurian conservation organisation Asociación Patuca took over the management of the Patuca National Park in 2005. Today, the Asociación Patuca works directly as a partner of Naturefund.

103 new tree nurseries

With the support of many people from Europe and together with the Asociacion Patuca, Naturefund has succeeded in planting 30,000 new trees since 2007. Steadily increasing support for the project means that we are able to create a long-term vision for the Patuca National Park. Together with people from the area, we were able to establish 103 new tree nurseries in the rainforest. 

In the coming years we plan to reforest 6,000 ha through fostering natural succession and and implementing a new reforestation mehtod we call forest gardens.

Project details

Location

The Patuca National Park is located in southeast Honduras on the border with Nicaragua.

Size of the area and number of trees

The Patuca National Park covers an area of 3,756 square metres. Around 60 percent of this is untouched rainforest. 40 percent of the conservation area is either damaged or completely destroyed. The goal of Naturefund and the Asociación Patuca is to establish a long-term forest management system for the whole National Park and the next step is to plant 50,000 trees.

Fauna

Jaguars, Giant Anteaters, Margays, Toucans and many others;

Flora

Caoba (mahogany), Cedro (cedar), Ceiba, Laurel, Guanacaste, Mangoes, Avocados, Mazica, Guapino and many other;

Feature

The rainforest which in earlier times covered a large part of Central America has been largely destroyed over the last few centuries leaving very little remaining. One last large forest area which encompasses the Patuca National Park and covers approximately 10,000 square kilometres remains standing.

Partner

Our project partner is the Asociacion Patuca, a non-profit nature conservation organisation from Honduras. They manage and protect the national park on behalf of the government of Honduras.

Management concept

With the help of reforestation, the existing rainforest is being protected and cleared areas are being replanted. At the same time, fruit trees are being planted which offers a new source of food as well as new financial possibilities to local people. Through close co-operation with the local community we also try to promote a new understanding of the importance of the rainforest.

Plant a tree for just 6 euros!

You could join us in replanting the rainforest and have a tree planted there for just 6 euros. Our CO₂ calculator works out how many trees you need to plant, for example, in order to neutralise the emissions from your car.

You can also of course choose to make any donations tax-deductible!