ARC Forest in Gran Canaria continues to grow

Today crews from ARC yachts ventured beyond Las Palmas Marina and into the mountains of Gran Canaria to boost the ARC Forest Project by planting a further 200 trees. For 2015, a new site has been given over to the project as since the initiative began in 2010 over 10,000 square meters of the Canarian hillside has now been populated with trees which improve bio-diversity, helps prevent soil erosion and mitigates flooding.

Crews assembled outside the ARC Office this morning and boarded the coach to the Finca de Osorio. On arrival, Sergio from the local non-profit Foresta Project welcomed the participants and they were shown around the traditional Canarian farm to see the crops and animals. They were lucky enough to meet the farm's newest arrival, a lamb born just hours before their visit. 

They were then shown around the nursery where the seedlings are cultivated to become the saplings that will eventually populate the forest. Surrounded by spectacular views overlooking the city of Las Palmas, crews were taken up to the hillside site, and Sergio demonstrated how to plant the trees. ARC sailors of all ages got involved in preparing the soil, distributing the saplings and planting the young trees. 

After a couple of hour of hard work, and rewarded with refreshments, crews were taken back down to the marina, feeling a little tired, but satisfied as their efforts and all enjoyed the opportunity to see some of beautiful Gran Canaria.