Operation Green Leaves

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TREES FOR LIFE PROJECT

"TREES OF LIFE, PYE BWA SE LA VIE" "Ayiti" land of mountains, for 13 years Operation Green Leaves has been ringing the warning bell that the extremely denuded mountains of Haiti constitute a state of emergency and is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Alas the day has come.

The time to act is now. We must take action to stop this destructive cycle which Haiti's environment is facing. It is in that spirit that Operation Green Leaves is launching a new more aggressive campaign, "TREES FOR LIFE, PYE BWA SE LA VIE".

More than 95% of the Haitian household consumption of energy is based on the use of fuel wood which explains why today only 1.5% of tree cover exist in Haiti when as early as 1924 , 60% of Haiti was still forested. This kind of acute deforestation has an unhealthy affect on the health and life of its people. The top soil washes away, and with no trees on the mountain top to hold the soil, the result is devastating floods that kill thousands, washes away homes, crops, livestock and HOPE. Annually we are faced with this situation in Haiti, This year it was just the worst. We must act now to stop this vicious cycle.

Goals & Objectives of " TREES FOR LIFE, PYE BWA SE LA VIE"

With partner communities in the affected areas, create nurseries, plant trees in the deforested areas, focusing on the mountain tops.
Provide an alternative source of cooking instead of charcoal, Kerosene stoves to families in the affected areas. Teach and train families on Solar cooking methods. Provide the solar cookers.
Provide education, training and awareness to the people living communities in the affected areas.
Empower, encourage the business community to invest in the affected communities by opening businesses which will create jobs, stimulate the economy and eliminate the sale of charcoal as a source of income.

With our proven tract record of acting, commitment, and determination, Operation Green Leaves needs your financial support to achieve these goals and objectives to help save lives in Haiti by the next raining season.

Operation Green Leaves is a 505 © 3 non-profit environmental organization since 1991, your donation is fully tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Please be generous, we are counting on your support.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 1-877-85TREES (1-877-858-7337)

Jr. Green Leaves' club member at the March for Parks last year	OGL Executive Director, Nadine C. Patrice with Commissioner Derin Rolle one of the Adopt-a-Tree events in 2004
Agronomist Militien Joseph from Haiti, Historian, Jean-Claude Exulien and President of Groupe Vision Marien, Anceleau Joseph at the Conference last November

Environmental Education

In the past 11 years our programs have had a very positive impact on the Global Haitian Community especially in South Florida & Haiti.



Annual "Festival de l'Environment" May 1999 Click on any photo for an enlarged view.

Environmental education program in Haiti

Junior Green Leaves (environmental) Clubs

Junior Green Leaves Clubs have been established in various elementary schools and middle schools in South Florida.

Field Trips

Every year we organized field trips for students from our Junior Green Leaves Club As well as adults in some of the disadvantages communities of South Florida. We visit various national parks and nature centers in South Florida. For our membership Drive in February we also offer a Tour of the Miami River describing the history, environmental and economic aspect of the river.

O.G.L. Take Junior Green Leaves club on educational field trip	O.G.L. take students from inner city to environmental field trip / tree planting
O.G.L. takes junior Green Leaves club on Bay clean up

Poster and Literary Contest

Each year a Poster and Literary Contest is held. The project themes involve: Environmental education, water conservation, pollution, recycling gardening etc… All the students at the 11 schools participate and an awards ceremony is held at the Earth Day Celebration.

Community Tree Plantings and Beautification Projects

Every year Community Tree Plantings are organized with our partner schools and non-profit partners. Seedlings and trees are planted at the school sites or on public property in the neighborhoods where the residents are encouraged to water and maintain the plants. In Haiti a nursery is set up and organized in each of our partner communities. The nursery is taken care of by a local committee.

O.G.L. Nursery in Arcahaie

O.G.L. takes honorary Board Member
Dr. Noel Brown to visit sustainable living
farm in Little Haiti "The Earth N us"




OGL's Assistant Director Leslie Pierre

Shade for Dade

Operation Green Leaves and Fairchild Tropical Garden are collaborating on a tree planting project called “Shade for Dade”, through a grant from the Miami-Dade County Commission. The Shade for Dade program will provide trees and Technical support to 26 groups or organizations in Miami Dade County, 2 planting per commission district.

Adopt a Tree

Operation Green Leaves is also collaborating and providing support to the Dept. of Environmental Resources Management’s “Adopt a Tree “ program. The program donates two trees per household in Miami-Dade County and also provides technical support and tree education on site. Most of the trees are native fruit, flowering or provide shade. Throughout the year in various areas of Miami-Dade County

Community Garden

In collaboration with Little Haiti Housing Association and Nathaniel Belcher, an FIU Architecture professor, Operation Green Leaves created since 1999 a community garden project in Little Haiti, “Reclamation Garden”. The garden project is designed to provide environmental education and economic empowerment to the community. Each Jr. Green Leaves Clubs in each of the schools are provide with their own planting plots as well as classes on gardening and nutrition. The garden is also available to other groups in the community such as churches, community groups, homeowners associations.


Green Leaves Members Reclaim Garden

Earth Day Celebration

Each year in April we celebrate Earth Day in Little Haiti at the Earth N’ Us Farm. A day of fun and Environmental Education for the community. In 1999 We formed a committee in Haiti made up of educators both in the private and public school sector and initiated an Earth Day Festival in Haiti, “Festival de l’Environment” in May, it’s a month long celebration.

O.G.L. Earth Day Festival in April	O.G.L. Provides environmental education for students in Haiti thru its Environmental Education committee

Fèt Champet

O.G.L. Annual Fet Champet Community Festival	Fet Champet
Boukman Eksperyans performs annual at OGL's Fet Champet last Saturday of August	Annual Fet Champet: Fun for the whole family

P.O. Box 5254, Coral Gables, Florida 33114. Tel. 305-644-9000, Fax (305) 642-8805
Email: nadine@oglhaiti.com