Community engagement is essential to the success of any conservation or restoration effort, especially in regions affected by deforestation. When local populations are pushed into poverty due to shifting markets or policy incentives, long-standing traditions of stewardship can turn into survival-driven deforestation. But this trend is not irreversible. The key to reversing it lies in helping communities thrive alongside the ecosystems they live in.
At Forestbase, we believe conservation is about more than just protecting trees. It means restoring ecosystems while improving the lives of the people who depend on them. Our work in Meta, Colombia is not just about conservation and reforestation. It is about people, and building a future where both forests and communities can flourish.
Community Engagement
Since March 2024, our team has been working closely with the communities of Puerto Trujillo and San Fernando. Through regular visits and social mapping, we have built trust, gained cultural insight, and identified local skills that can support our reforestation goals.
From the start, our goal has been to make these communities partners in the project, not just participants. We have focused on creating employment and upskilling opportunities in forestry, nursery management, social mobilization, and education. This dual approach strengthens local economic resilience while laying the foundation for long-term sustainability.
Hiring Locally: A Community-First Approach
Local hiring has been a cornerstone of our project design. While some roles require technical expertise, we combine expert input with skills transfer and training programs tailored to the region. This helps build project ownership, reduce dependence on outside labor, and prove that economic alternatives to deforestation are both possible and sustainable.
Structured Hiring Through Local Partnerships
To launch our recruitment process, Forestbase partnered with a leading HR and recruitment firm in the Meta region, along with community leaders in Puerto Trujillo. With extensive experience hiring from Indigenous and rural communities, the firm brought valuable understanding of the social and economic context of local candidates.
Together, we implemented a structured and transparent process that will serve as a model for future project phases. Key components included:
- Outreach in Puerto Trujillo and San Fernando through posters and local announcements.
- In-person interviews to assess skills and motivation while collecting demographic and socioeconomic data.
- A strong emphasis on inclusivity, prioritizing women, youth, vulnerable groups and individuals entering the formal labor market for the first time.
- A two-day selection event at the Puerto Trujillo sports center, where structured interviews helped identify qualified candidates and emerging leaders.
Snapshot of Recruitment Insights
The recruitment process resulted in a résumé database of 68 applicants and valuable data for future planning. Highlights include:
A total of 42 candidates were shortlisted for roles such as Nursery Operator, Forest Ranger, and Planting Operator.
Training for Long-Term Impact
While many applicants bring valuable traditional knowledge, few have formal training in areas like reforestation, nursery operations, or restoration ecology. To close this gap, Forestbase is creating a hands-on training program that will equip local workers with the skills to manage the project professionally and independently.
Key Training Areas
- Nursery Management
Topics include native seedling propagation, soil preparation, irrigation suited to local conditions, pest and disease control, and nursery organization using best practices from across Meta. - Tree Planting Techniques
Training focuses on correct planting depth and spacing, silvicultural techniques for early growth, and monitoring plant health using insights from field data. - Agroforestry and Sustainable Agriculture
Modules include tree–crop–livestock integration, composting and natural fertilizers, and land-use design that supports biodiversity and income generation. Local techniques, including the use of Dolomite for soil correction, are included. - Occupational Safety and Equipment Handling
Participants will be trained in safe tool use, ergonomics, and safety procedures for remote fieldwork.
Building a Strong Local Workforce for Decades
By prioritizing local employment, Forestbase is helping shift labor away from low-income, extractive activities and toward dignified work in forest restoration and conservation.
Our project is based on a simple belief. Long-term success in forest conservation depends on building leadership and capacity within the communities who live on the land. From early engagement to structured hiring and skill-building, every step reflects that principle. The communities in Meta are not just part of the project. They are becoming its future stewards.
