About
Our Mission
We promote the value of the regenerative farming cycle that builds tropical woodlands to meet the necessities of life.
Exploring Solutions Past, a nonprofit organization, began consulting contemporary Maya farmers to learn about the ancient agricultural traditions while excavating an ancient Maya city.
This collaboration inspired the Maya forest gardeners to educate not only the researchers but also their community. Traditional farmers in Belize and Guatemala united as the El Pilar Forest Garden Network in 2008 to share their unique knowledge of forest gardening, plant use, and ecology.
Our Vision
Encourage sustainable agricultural practices based on forest gardening
Expand traditional knowledge of plants and plant use
Teach the cultural heritage of the Maya
Explore the economic potential for sustainable Maya Forest products
Photo by Teccino
Our Network’s Projects
Kanan K’aax School Garden
We created an active forest garden at the primary school in the village of Santa Familia to re-introduce forest gardening to children
Garden Tours
We offer forest garden tours to the public as an opportunity to see creative approaches to forest gardening, as well as the incredible beauty of the Maya forest.
Education Outreach
A group of environmentalists from Sacred Heart Junior College helped bridge the generation gap between older Maya farmers and a new generation of potential forest gardeners.
Your Support Grows the Earth
Stand up for the conservation of the Maya forest gardening tradition. Your support will help this valuable knowledge survive for centuries to come, while helping us cultivate solutions for our global environmental crisis.
Maya Forest Gardeners is a project of Exploring Solutions Past, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are fully tax-deductible.