Easygrants ID: 43561 NFWF Project ID: 0302.14.043561 Coral Reef

Easygrants ID: 43561 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation NFWF Project ID: 0302.14.043561 Coral Reef Conservation Fund 2014 - Submit Final Programmatic Report (New Metrics) Grantee Organization: Protectores de Cuencas, Inc. Project Title: Acceleration of Watershed Restoration Efforts in Puerto Rico

Project Period 9/01/2014 - 8/31/2016 Project Location The Municipality of Yauco, and the priority watershed areas of Guánica, Culebra, Cabo Rojo and Description Vieques in Puerto Rico. (from Proposal) Project Accelerate restoration efforts in priority Puerto Rico watersheds, stabilize over 20 acres of drainage area Summary (from and reforest over 10 acres of land by constructing a native and conservation plant nursery. Project will Proposal) yield up to 10,000 native trees and 10,000 vetiver plants over two years, which will stabilize soils and prevent erosion and run-off to coral reef systems downstream.

Summary of Protectores de Cuencas (PDC) completed 100% of the nursery/greenhouse with a total of three Accomplishments structures built. A three-day Open House for high school and faculty, their parents and the community in general was held reaching approximately, 700 High School students (Grades 9-12) and 30 teachers. PDC identified and enrolled 10 farmers interested in obtaining the shade coffee certification. PDC nursery trees have been used in several restoration projects, including: 1) Culebra: Pta Soldado, Fulladoza, Tamarindo, with additional restoration efforts projected for the next 3-4 years in Culebra; 2) Guánica: Tamarindo, Atolladora and the restoration in several farms. Completed projects as part of the Culebra’s Watershed Management Plan implementation are utilizing vetiver grass and native trees.

Lessons Learned The Environmental Education Program Activities were a success. Public involvement exceeded the anticipated participation. This unexpected result was primarily due to the fact that local schools and community in general, have limited exposure to environmental education programs. The proximity to the municipality center, allowed easy access to the Open House. Furthermore, these activities provided the opportunity for high school students to gain volunteer experience while learning unique skills in the nursery. Hands-on activities have proven to be most effective while educating the community of conservation efforts specific to our area.

Completing the nursery/green house has been a great asset to our organization as it has provided the means to produce the vegetative materials used in the continuous restoration efforts. PDC nursery trees have been used in several restoration projects, including: 1) Culebra: Pta Soldado, Fulladoza, Tamarindo, with additional restoration efforts projected for the next 3-4 years in Culebra; 2) Guánica: Tamarindo, Atolladora and during the restoration of several coffee farms within the Guanica watershed. Future restoration projects include projects in Cabo Rojo: Los Pozos and Laguna Cartagena. Tree production on site has reduced the restoration costs significantly over the last two years and has allowed PDC to undertake additional restoration projects that otherwise would have been postponed due to budget restrictions.

The Shaded Coffee Certification process is a constantly increasing challenge. Among the great number of farmers interested in the certification process we present the certification sheet for one pilot farm. This will enable the Certification Board to fine tune the process and start a greater certification process that can push other farmers to move to more sustainable practices. Throughout the development of this initiative, we have identified other activities that need to be addressed in order to ensure success and consensus.

Funding Strategy Capacity, Outreach, Incentives Activity / Outcome Coral - Outreach/ Education/ Technical Assistance - # people reached Required Recommended Description Enter the number of people reached by outreach, training, or technical assistance activities

# people reached - Current 30.00 # people reached - Grant Completion 769.00

Notes Outcome: Protectores de Cuencas was extremely succesful integrating the community, coffee farmers, and school children in an environmental education program at the nursery/greenhouse. We incorporated them in the ongoing and new restoration projects. Participation exceeded the anticipated number of participants. Approximately, 700 students, 30 faculty and community attendees participated of the Open House, 29 students from middle and high school assisted in the seed germination process, and 10 coffee farmers are currently enrolled in the Shade Coffee Certification.

Funding Strategy Habitat Management Activity / Outcome Coral - BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction - Acres under improved management Required Recommended Description Enter the number of acres under improved management

Acres under improved management - Current 20.00 Acres under improved management - Grant Completion 20.00

Notes Outcomes: Due to PDC’s good relations already established with farmers in the region and with the Mayors of the region, we hosted group visits at our facilities to conduct the meetings and training. These efforts aim at reducing nutrients and sediment yields derived from coffee production as well as less chemical fertilizer and herbicides that may runoff as well. Shade and Conservation Friendly Coffee in order to make shade grown coffee sustainable from both an economic and ecological standpoint. The group has maintained a participation of close to 20 partners with the representations of USFWS, NRCS, Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, DNER, UPR-Utuado, farmers and several local NGO’s. This certification allows a win-win scenario in which certified farmers can receive a direct economic benefit and long term conservation goals such as reduction of nutrients and sediment yields to coral reef ecosystems in the Guanica Bay.

Funding Strategy Habitat Management Activity / Outcome Coral - improved management practices - Acres under improved management Required Recommended Description Enter the number of acres under improved management

Acres under improved management - Current 20.00 Acres under improved management - Grant Completion 20.00

The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Notes Outcome: The shaded grown coffee initiative is in an advanced state of recognition around environmental discussion fronts in Puerto Rico like the State Technical Committee. We are bringing to fruition the efforts to establish the certification program in Puerto Rico and beginning to enroll and certify many farms as Shade and Conservation Friendly Coffee. Since Protectores de Cuencas is actively participating in the various working groups developed by the office of the Model Forest, it would bring closer collaboration with farmers and producers to promote their coffee and provide support and training in these efforts. The Round Table will also continue working towards the institutionalization of these practices and programs working together with PR Department of Agriculture, NRCS, UPR Agricultural Extension Servise, UPR Mayagüez and UPR Utuado, PR College of Agronomists and the Department of State.

Funding Strategy Habitat Restoration Activity / Outcome Coral - Land, wetland restoration - Acres restored Required Recommended Description Enter the number of acres restored

Acres restored - Current 20.00 Acres restored - Grant Completion 30.00

Notes Outcomë: Native trees and vetiver plants produced at the nursery have been used in several restoration projects around Puerto Rico. The most significant projects include: sediment and erosion control practices in Cabo Rojo, stormwater practices in Yauco, BMP implementation in farm dirt roads in the Guanica watershed, erosion and sediment discharge mitigation into seagrass habitat in the Guanica Dry Forest, approximately 10 separate projects in Culebra including stormwater practices, erosion and sediment discharge mitigation and coastal restoration.

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1. Summary of Accomplishments In four to five sentences, provide a brief summary of the project’s key accomplishments and outcomes that were observed or measured.

Protectores de Cuencas (PDC) completed 100% of the nursery/greenhouse with a total of three structures built, exceeding the 1 nursery proposed. A three-day Open House for high school and faculty, their parents and the community in general was held reaching approximately, 700 High School students (Grades 9-12) and 30 teachers. PDC identified and enrolled 10 farmers interested in obtaining the shade coffee certification. Our nursery has been producing trees that are being actively used in several restoration projects, including: 1) Culebra: Pta Soldado, Fulladoza, Tamarindo, with additional restoration efforts projected for the next 3-4 years in Culebra; 2) Guánica: Tamarindo, Atolladora and the restoration in several farms. Completed projects as part of the Culebra’s Watershed Management Plan implementation are utilizing vetiver grass and native trees.

2. Project Activities & Outcomes

Activities • Describe and quantify (using the approved metrics referenced in your grant agreement) the primary activities conducted during this grant. • Briefly explain discrepancies between the activities conducted during the grant and the activities agreed upon in your grant agreement.

1. Build Nursery/Greenhouse: Accelerate and sustain short and long term watershed conservation and restoration efforts in Puerto Rico through the production of a nursery/green house. The objective of this activity was to accelerate restoration efforts in the priority watersheds of Culebra, Vieques, Cabo Rojo, Guánica and central coffee farming region and in the Northeast Ecological Corridor including watersheds in Rio Grande, Fajardo and Luquillo, and stabilize 30 acres of drainage area and reforest 20 acres of land. This was accomplished by constructing a total of 3 separate structures, instead of one structure that was initially indented. PDC staff constructed the structures helping decrease construction costs. The nursery has produced to date over 60,000 native trees and 30,000 vetiver plants in two years, and it expected to reach 100,000 in production in 2017. The production of these trees and plants have decreased the costs of all restoration efforts led by PDC. Two years ago, the Municipality of Yauco donated approximately 1 acre for PDC to establish the nursery/greenhouse including water and electric services. Recently, another 2 acres of adjacent grounds were donated by the Municiaplity of Yauco to expand the available space to grow and store the plants, including a maturation station necessary to acclimate plants to the intense weather conditions found at some of the restoration project sites.

The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. 2. Create a seed bank: Completed the collection of seeds of interest that are used during the conservation and restoration efforts in the various priority watersheds of Culebra, Vieques, Cabo Rojo, Guánica, the central coffee farming region and in the Northeast Ecological Corridor including watersheds in Rio Grande, Fajardo and Luquillo. This effort was completed simultaneously during the construction of the nursery and was assisted by volunteers that helped with the collection of seeds as this activity is linked to the Environmental Education Program activities. PDC complied with all the necessary permits from DNER to allow seed collection in certain areas of the Guanica Dry Forest. Our team worked actively with the recommendations from the DNER experts.

3. Germination and development of grass/trees: Student volunteers assisted during the efforts to germinate and grow the grass/trees of interest, as this activity is linked to the Environmental Education Program activities. Students visited the nursery/greenhouse at least once a month and maintained a germination rate log book for at least 15 species per high school student. The species grown for erosion and sediment control include: vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) For forest restoration common native tree species grown include: Emajaguilla (Thespesia populnea), Almácigo (Bursera cimaruba), Guayacán (Guaiacum officinale), Úcar (Bucida buceras), Uva de playa (sea grape) (Coccoloba uvifera), Hicaco (Chrysobalanus icaco), roble nativo (Tabebuia heterophylla), moca (Andira inermis), , Ceiba (Ceiba pendantra); and the more rare and very difficult to find: Uverillo (Cocoloba diversifolia), Aceitunilla (Symplocos micrantha), Palo de Vaca (Bourreria succulenta), Corcho (Guapira fragans), Burro Prieto (Capparis cynophallophora), Maví (Colubrina elliptica), Tachuelo (Pictetia aculeata), and Péndula (Citharexylum spinosum). For coastal wetland restoration initiatives: red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), and buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus). The nursery/green house also grew species to be incorporated in shade coffee farming certification efforts, these species include: Guava (Inga vera), Capá Prieto (Cordia alliodora), and Higüerillo (Vitex divaricata). The Municipality of Yauco provided additional space in our facilities for the creation of native trees maturation stations. These maturation stations have served as an adaptation area that allow trees to acclimate to high temperatures and dry weather conditions.

4. Environmental Education Program Activities: Integrated communities, coffee farmers, and school children in an environmental education program at the nursery/greenhouse and incorporated them in the already mentioned ongoing and new restoration projects.

- Germination and development of species, Data collection: A total of 29 students completed 40 volunteer hours each during this project activity. Of this total of students, 25 participants attended the Escuela Superior Ocupacional Tecnica de Yauco (high school) and 4 for the Escuela Intermedia Jose Onofre Torres (middle school).

- Educational sessions for high school students, community and farmers: During a 3-day open house, a series of workshops were offered to attendees. Furthermore, school visits were offered to provide high school students talks focused on the importance of native species propagation, conservation of watersheds and marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangrove forests.

- Open House for school, parents and community: A three-day Open House for high school and faculty, their parents and the community in general was held on February 10-12 of 2016. Approximately, 700 High School students (Grades 9-12) and 30 teachers attended during the 3-day event. The Escuela Vocacional Técnica de Yauco provided in-kind transportation ($1,120), all lunches (Department of Education) and portable toilets ($306). Additionally, PDC provided educational material concerning the Rio Loco watershed, educational posters and videos. Students, teachers and other attendees learned about all the watershed projects in Puerto Rico being led by PDC. Local community organizations volunteered their time to serve as hike leaders, including: Maritza Gonzalez from Creando Consciencia: Mi Tierra Grita Inc., and Miguel Martinez Gonzalez from Coalición Pro Bosque Seco de Guánica Ventanas Verraco. DNER provided assistance during the Open

- Shade Coffee Certification: We have continued the efforts to establish a certification program in Puerto Rico. Farmers has started to change some of their operations towards more sustainable practices such as increasing shade cover and addressing erosion problems. This paradigm change, is advancing the Certified Shade and Conservation Friendly Coffee that can make sun-grown coffee sustainable from both an economic and ecological standpoint. Origins of this effort are traced back to March 2011 when participation was uncertain. In the present we have the participation of shade coffee farmers, federal and state agencies from Puerto Rico, academia, coffee experts, community members and local NGO’s. Meeting have been organized to introduce the initiative and to get feedback from this multidisciplinary group. Further, the necessity to create a process to certificate farmers, intermediaries, roasters and the trade was brought to the discussion. Another identified issue was the development of a farmer’s inventory that are growing shade coffee and the necessity of organizing these farmers. Since then a set of meetings have been dedicated to the development of criteria for the certification process. After various meetings, the ‘Criteria for Certification Document’ was developed. These criteria will be used for the evaluation committee in the certification process and a short evaluation form was created based on these criteria. The evaluation form has been discussed in the Forestry, Wetlands and Wildlife subcommittee of the NRCS State Technical Committee. After a successful discussion we have started farm visits in order to familiarize the certification personnel and the interested farmers in the requisites to comply with the certification process.

5. Acceleration of Restoration Efforts in Vieques, Culebra, Guanica, and Cabo Rojo: Completed projects part of the Culebra’s Watershed Management Plan implementation projects utilizing vetiver grass and native trees. PDC nursery trees have been used in several restoration projects, including: 1) Culebra: Pta Soldado, Fulladoza, Tamarindo, with additional restoration efforts projected for the next 3- 4 years in Culebra; 2) Guánica: Tamarindo, Atolladora and during the restoration of several coffee farms within the Guanica watershed. Future restoration projects include projects in Cabo Rojo: Los Pozos and Laguna Cartagena. A collaborative agreement was achieved between PDC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore and mitigate habitat loss with native trees and shrub species within the Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge that have been lost due to forest fires.

Outcomes • Describe and quantify progress towards achieving the project outcomes described in your grant agreement. (Quantify using the approved metrics referenced in your grant agreement or by using more relevant metrics not included in the application.) • Briefly explain discrepancies between what actually happened compared to what was anticipated to happen. • Provide any further information (such as unexpected outcomes) important for understanding project activities and outcome results.

1. Environmental Education Program Activities: Coral - Outreach/ Education/ Technical Assistance - # people reached at Grant Completion: Expected 30.00, Actual 769 Integrated communities, coffee farmers, and school children in an environmental education program at the nursery/greenhouse and incorporated them in the already mentioned ongoing and new restoration projects. Participation exceeded the anticipated number of participants. Approximately, 700 students, 30 faculty and community attendees participated of the Open House, 29 students from middle and high school assisted in the seed germination process, and 10 coffee farmers are currently enrolled in the Shade Coffee Certification.

2. Shade Coffee Certification: Coral - BMP implementation for nutrient or sediment reduction, Acres under improved management - Grant Completion: Expected 20.00, Actual 20 Continued efforts to establish a certification program in Puerto Rico and began to enroll and certify farms as Shade and Conservation Friendly Coffee in order to make shade grown coffee sustainable from both an economic The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. and ecological standpoint. The group has maintained a participation of close to 20 partners with the representations of USFWS, NRCS, Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, DNER, UPR-Utuado, farmers and several local NGO’s. Further, Protectores de Cuencas with the support of multiple agencies, municipalities, communities and other organizations, have led efforts to establish the criteria for Shade and Sustainable grown coffee. This is very important because it is recognized that shade coffee reduces the amount of erosion on steep slopes where coffee is grown. In addition, these practices promote an increase in critical habitat for wildlife. There is a necessity to ensure that conservation efforts included in this initiative result in improved economics for individual farmers who adopt these beneficial practices. A sustainable coffee economy will add to the protection of coral reefs, drinking water resources and the historic culture of coffee areas in Puerto Rico. Following the expansion of our nursery we have been able to foster conservation projects around Puerto Rico including the Shade Coffee Initiative. Due to PDC’s good relations already established with farmers in the region and with the Mayors of the region, we have hosted group visits at our facilities to conduct the meetings and training. These efforts aim at reducing nutrients and sediment yields derived from coffee production as well as less chemical fertilizer and herbicides that may runoff as well. This certification would allow a win-win scenario in which certified farmers can receive a direct economic benefit and long term conservation goals such as reduction of nutrients and sediment yields to coral reef ecosystems in the Guanica Bay. All of this while biodiversity in the central Río Loco Watershed region increases.

3. Shade Coffee Certification: Coral - improved management practices- Grant Completion: Expected 20 acres, Actual 20 This initiative is in an advanced state of recognition around environmental discussion fronts in Puerto Rico like the State Technical Committee. We are bringing to fruition the efforts to establish the certification program in Puerto Rico and beginning to enroll and certify many farms as Shade and Conservation Friendly Coffee. Since Protectores de Cuencas is actively participating in the various working groups developed by the office of the Model Forest, it would bring closer collaboration with farmers and producers to promote their coffee and provide support and training in these efforts. The Round Table will also continue working towards the institutionalization of these practices and programs working together with PR Department of Agriculture, NRCS, UPR Agricultural Extension Servise, UPR Mayagüez and UPR Utuado, PR College of Agronomists and the Department of State.

This initiative focuses in four critical areas that are necessary to complete an integrated approach to improving both the economic and ecological aspects of coffee and to help preserve coffee culture in Puerto Rico. Continued threats to the coffee industry in Puerto Rico include climate change and increased frequency and duration of storms, more variable weather patterns, higher temperatures as well as external forces including lower cost coffee production in other countries without strong labor and environmental standards, substitution and mixing of Puerto Rican coffee with lower cost or lower standard beans as well as increased energy, fertilizer and labor costs. Shade coffee and an attention to higher quality coffee represents a way to provide communities in Puerto Rico with food and economic security while restoring natural functions of the forest and the health of streams, rivers and nearshore coastal habitat.

3. Acceleration of Restoration Efforts in Vieques, Culebra, Guanica, and Cabo Rojo: Coral - Land, wetland restoration - Acres restored- Grant Completion: Expected 20 acres, Actual 30 Native trees and vetiver plants produced at the nursery have been used in several restoration projects around Puerto Rico. The most significant projects include: sediment and erosion control practices in Cabo Rojo, stormwater practices in Yauco, BMP implementation in farm dirt roads in the Guanica watershed, erosion and sediment discharge mitigation into seagrass habitat in the Guanica Dry Forest, approximately 10 separate projects in Culebra including stormwater practices, erosion and sediment discharge mitigation and coastal restoration.

3. Lessons Learned Describe the key lessons learned from this project, such as the least and most effective conservation practices or notable aspects of the project’s methods, monitoring, or results. How could other conservation organizations adapt their projects to build upon some of these key lessons about what worked best and what did not?

The Environmental Education Program Activities were a success. Public involvement exceeded the anticipated participation. This unexpected result was primarily due to the fact that local schools and community in general, have limited exposure to environmental education programs. The proximity to the municipality center, allowed easy access to the Open House. Furthermore, these activities provided the opportunity for high school students to gain volunteer experience while learning unique skills in the nursery. Hands-on activities have proven to be most effective while educating the community of conservation efforts specific to our area.

The Shaded Coffee Certification process is a constantly increasing challenge. We have had a great number of farmers interested in the certification process and we are providing the farm enrollment certification sheet. This will enable the Certification Board to fine tune the process and start a greater certification process that can push other farmers to move to more sustainable practices. Throughout the development of this initiative, we have identified other activities that need to be addressed in order to ensure success and consensus. 1) Education and outreach 2) Sustained government support 3) Development of public policy 4) Market studies 5) Funding 6) Coalition of local NGO’s with interests in advancing the initiative 7) Formalized certification

To address these needs we have arranged a set of meetings with related NGO’s to establish strategies for advancing the Round Table’s goals and objectives. First, we have been discussing the criteria for certification. This set of meetings has led to a formal acknowledgement of the initiative in the recently created Office of the Model Forest of Puerto Rico.

4. Dissemination Briefly identify any dissemination of lessons learned or other project results to external audiences, such as the public or other conservation organizations.

Recently, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service- Caribbean Area featured an article titled “Reducing Erosion on Coffee Plantation to Protect Coral Reefs”. This article focused on the field demonstrations and workshop held by PDC staff in the Carlos Vega Farm, located within the Guanica watershed. This activity taught farmers, natural resource agency personnel and other participants about erosion processes on coffee farms and described cost-effective alternatives to reduce its impact on the watershed.

Presenters led an exercise where rain was simulated on a portion of bare road. Water samples were collected to measure sediment concentration levels and compare them to samples taken in other areas of the farm where bare soils are not exposed. The take-away message was that problems caused by land erosion are reflected on coral reefs and dirt roads are where the biggest erosion problems on a coffee farm are found. Upon completing the exercise, participants were able to learn about alternatives to minimize the erosion problems generated by dirt roads inside coffee plantation. Article Link: The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/pr/newsroom/features/?cid=nrcseprd1291489

News article in Spanish provided by Salvemos el Café found at https://www.facebook.com/notes/salvemos-el- caf%C3%A9/el-cafetal-tambi%C3%A9n-se-relaciona-con-el-coral-de-nuestras-costas/648349502000097

5. Project Documents Include in your final programmatic report, via the Uploads section of this task, the following:

• 2-10 representative photos from the project. Photos need to have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi and must be accompanied with a legend or caption describing the file name and content of the photos; • report publications, GIS data, brochures, videos, outreach tools, press releases, media coverage; • any project deliverables per the terms of your grant agreement.

POSTING OF FINAL REPORT: This report and attached project documents may be shared by the Foundation and any Funding Source for the Project via their respective websites. In the event that the Recipient intends to claim that its final report or project documents contains material that does not have to be posted on such websites because it is protected from disclosure by statutory or regulatory provisions, the Recipient shall clearly mark all such potentially protected materials as “PROTECTED” and provide an explanation and complete citation to the statutory or regulatory source for such protection.