All the ARC+ yachts are now well through their first week in Las Palmas where they are enjoying getting to know each other in a socially distanced manner. The children have enjoyed several days of planned activities together, and 28 participants joined the ARC Forest Tree planting excursion today.
Since 2010, almost 3000 native trees have now been planted by ARC and ARC+ volunteers on deforested sites in the Arucas mountains above Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Sailing allows us to travel long distances with relatively low carbon emissions, but the reality is that all yachts burn diesel for motive power and to generate electricity. Conscious of this impact, ARC organiser World Cruising Club has teamed up with local non-profit forestry organisations in Gran Canaria to develop and sponsor a carbon offset project, planting trees where they are most needed, to help offset the carbon emissions created during the Atlantic crossing.
Managing the project is the Canaries based environmental charity Foresta, ensuring that the small trees planted by crews will grow to become a true sustainable forest.
The volunteers planted 125 trees which is an epic feat for the 28 participants involved. With giggles and jokes a nice respite from city life in the marina everyone returned happy having had a fun day out.