July/August 2021: Species in Crisis

Species in Crisis

Critical tree planting efforts are underway to support the Puerto Rican parrot

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n the wake of two intense hurricanes in 2017 (Irma and Maria), the tree canopy of Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest was simply gone. The effect on the land was unmistakable. But the impact these storms had on a beautiful green bird was even more devastating.

The Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vittate) is a vividly colored bird about 12 inches in length. At one time, the island’s forests were alive with its calls. But numbers dwindled significantly over time, and the parrot was placed on the endangered species list in 1967. Through dedicated conservation efforts, the population expanded from 13 birds in the wild in 1970 to nearly 200 wild birds in 2017 — before the hurricanes hit.

This critically endangered species is found in the wild in only two areas of Puerto Rico. One of those areas is El Yunque National Forest. After the hurricanes, most of the wild population in this forest were lost. For a bird species fighting its way back from the brink of extinction, this was a major blow. And the damage to the tree canopy only made matters worse. “The tree species that they use for habitat, for nesting, for food — they were either eliminated or they suffered greatly,” said Ricardo Santiago Garcia, a forest ecologist at El Yunque National Forest.

Tom MacKenzie of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, CC Attribution 2.0 Generic License

Through the rebuilding of a new, storm-resistant tree nursery structure and replanting of the forest canopy, recovery can begin again — for the forest and the endangered Puerto Rican parrot. “This project aims at enhancing habitat by planting tree species that not only will give structure to the forest, but will provide food and, eventually in the future, nesting cavities for the Puerto Rican parrot,” said Ricardo.

A portion of this monumental effort was made possible through generous individual donor support. A total of 1,000 trees were funded by two Arbor Day Foundation Oak Society members dedicated to restoring El Yunque National Forest. These trees are providing hope for a better future for all of Puerto Rico … a future that includes this beautiful green bird.

Meet Our Team

Photographed by en:User:Geographer, CC Attribution 1.0 Generic License

REFORESTATION SPOTLIGHT:

Angeles National Forest and the Big Cone Douglasfir In conservation, the word “endangered” typically refers to animals.

But there are also endangered trees — species that grow only in a specific area and are being threatened by disease, environmental changes, and natural disaster.

The big cone Douglasfir is one of those endangered species. Native to a 135-mile stretch of mountains in southern California, big cone Douglasfir trees can grow up to 100 feet tall and live for 700 years.

Their defining trait is their large cones, measuring 4 to 7 inches long with large, thick scales.

In 2016, the Sand Fire damaged more than 40,000 acres of land in Angeles National Forest, the primary home of the big cone Douglasfir. Large stands of the tree were charred and burned.

There have been more wildfires since, growing in intensity as the years go on.

To protect this rare species, the Arbor Day Foundation has partnered with Angeles National Forest to plant 37,000 big cone Douglasfir seedlings in fire-damaged areas. Reintroducing the native trees will provide critical habitat to black-tailed deer, black bears, and small animals. Watersheds above the cities of Los Angeles and Santa Clarita will also benefit from the effort.

Angeles National Forest is just one of dozens of locations across the globe we’re helping revitalize. In 2021, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant more than 37 million trees. Reforestation is critical to improving our air and water quality, reducing flooding, protecting wildlife, sequestering carbon, and ensuring generations to come can enjoy our beautiful Earth.

We couldn’t do any of this without your help. To see where your donation is making a difference, visit arborday.org/replantingmap.

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Brad Kindler, Grounds and Orchard Manager, Arbor Day Farm What do you love about your work at the Arbor Day Foundation?

What I love about the Arbor Day Foundation is that we are aware of challenges that our Earth faces, and we are actively working towards solutions. Our solutions involve both trees and people, furthering a global and ethical culture of stewardship.

How did you develop a connection with trees?

I like to see a tree in all seasons, to get to know its structure, habits, and movements. Like all good relationships they get better with time; engaging a single tree, or forest of trees, in this manner helps to bring out qualities and characteristics that might otherwise be missed upon a single encounter. However, Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hahn would often paint the phrase, “look deeply,” encouraging us to recognize the interconnected web of life between trees and ourselves within a moment of appreciation. Even if you are not able to engage trees through all seasons, it’s enjoyable to remember that the tree before you lives and grows all year long, just like us.

What is your favorite tree?

Kigelia africana – Sausage Tree. While serving in the U.S. Peace Corps in the East African country of Malawi, I was able to regularly see this tree, as it is native to the region. It is a large, beautiful tree with dark green foliage and sizable dark red blossoms. When pollinated, these blossoms in turn grow to produce large sausageshaped fruit that, to my eye as an arborist, dangerously hang from the tree. The fruits are eaten by a variety of savannah and forest wildlife and are also collected by local Malawians who use them in skin care preparations.

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