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Esther Tarifa
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Esther Tarifa2026-09-22 05:28:552026-09-26 09:30:12AGRECOL TREES: Tree Planting in Two Youth Rehabilitation CentersEsther Tarifa Gomez
July 14, 2026
Through a referral from Mr Mark Miller, we obtained information about the work carried out by the Corralones Neighborhood Organization (OTB). During the Guardians meeting held in Spring 2026, the OTB representative attended and shared his experiences, anecdotes, and—of course—his requests, which were later confirmed
In this AGRECOL TREES series article, I describe the effort the Corralones Neighborhood Organization from the Municipality of Sacaba, in the Department of Cochabamba, has been making. The organization has 85 members. They began working with Agrecol Andes and later with the Agrecol Trees Project Foundation, managed by Econtrovertia APS.

Mr García, the representative of OTB, confirmed that the seedlings were adopted by neighbors or association members and planted at their homes during the very first year of the AGRECOL TREES project. These trees have now grown considerably and are in good health. In the following years, tree planting activities focused on OTB’s green areas, particularly around the sports fields where children play. More recently, trees have been planted around public squares in the city, contributing to the area’s reforestation.
The negative experiences discussed during the meeting included the lack of awareness about the importance of watering plants. For this reason, the representative took responsibility for watering the trees, with the support of several neighbors. One of his dreams is that, within five years, these trees will have grown large enough to bear fruit and provide shade, depending on the care they receive.
Based on Mr Miller’s fieldwork experience, the soil was observed to be hard, leading to adjustments to the selection of tree species in favor of more resilient varieties. According to the President of the O.T.B., this change produced positive results.
Mr García’s request is for more consistent, ongoing follow-up for the planted trees, as well as training in pruning techniques, pest control, and the proper application of fumigation treatments.
Overall, the Corralones Neighborhood Organization’s commitment—supported by community members and technical guidance—has already shown promising results. With continued follow-up, training, and coordinated care, the dream of OTB’s members is within reach: these trees will provide lasting benefits for the entire community.
Cover and preview image: Green grassy trees in a field. Photo by Philipp Hubert on Unsplash.


















