We are working with local partners in the steep Andean hills around La Paz to plant thousands of new trees to restabilise land eroding and causing landslides. Young residents are doing the planting, trained with our support.

Rapid population growth in the Bolivian capital La Paz has seen thousands of trees cut down to use as fuel and building materials, and to make room for new settlements, or barrios, on the steep hillsides of the city. This deforestation has caused landslides, which have a devastating effect on the city and its inhabitants.

Trees for Cities is working with local agency EMAVERDA and the municipal government of La Paz on a project to plant 6,000 trees in areas facing high risk of landslides. As the new trees grow they will stabilise the soil, help prevent further landslides – and combat pollution in this dense, arid city. Hundreds of people are helping to plant the trees, raising awareness of the importance of nature. One volunteer is now working full time on the project.

We are also working with young offenders based at Centro Qalauma, the first specialised youth offenders’ facility in Bolivia. A high proportion of offenders in Qalauma come from the poorest hillside neighbourhoods most affected by landslides. They have created a woodland area surrounding the facility. We helped train 32 young offenders in tree planting and maintenance. The training provided allows young offenders to re-enter society with the potential to become active in landslide prevention through reforestation.

In all, we’ve planted over 10,000 trees in La Paz.

Trees for Cities relies on donations from individuals to deliver projects like the one in La Paz. You can support our project work by You can support our project work by making a donation. You can also support by buying a community gift.

Our projects in Latin America are supported by American Forests and the Arbor Day Foundation.

If you’d like to know more about the projects, please contact Millie Brown at millie@treesforcities.org or call 020 7820 4427.