Menu
Nueva Vida supports the 8th Life Panama EcoVillage Project, located on 21 hectares of degraded grasslands with valleys and lowlands in natural regeneration following decades of slash-and-burn agriculture and overgrazing. Traditional cooperative subsistence practices gave way in the last century to commercial, individualistic and consumer practices throughout much of Panama. Nevertheless, many people remember the old ways and yearn to bring back a sense of community while incorporating appropriate technological advances.
Nueva Vida aims to demonstrate that it is possible to live sustainably on the land, to regenerate ecosystems and create abundance while fostering a vibrant and cooperative community, strengthening the local economy and demonstrating that eco-enterprises provide local economic opportunities and an alternative to moving to the city for employment.
They envision a thriving EcoVillage with close ties to the local community and nearby town, spreading eco-innovation, abundance and well-being. Local community members are both students and teachers – learning from the methods and techniques applied here and sharing ancestral knowledge. Bioconstruction, for instance, is an ancestral technique that can be revitalized. Reforestation efforts through mixed agroforestry, food forests, the application of natural fertilizers and pest deterrents are underway, and the community is keen to keep learning and applying new restoration techniques. A new nursery is planned for continued efforts starting in 2025.
While the land purchase was being finalised, someone decided to plant corn on the most accessible section of the land. One day there was a swath of cut trees and baby corn plants in their place. By the time the purchase was finalised, the corn had been harvested. Observing that area for 2 years, it was becoming forest again. Realisation dawned and pioneer reforestation efforts planned. Now a thriving food forest, the area is home to 400+ trees including tropical hardwoods and fruits, berries and nuts as well as tubers, legumes, and self-seeding annuals.
To date the following restoration initiatives have been implemented:
• ¾ hectares have been reforested with another ¼ hectare being prepared for reforestation.
• A spring was discovered in mid-2024 and marked for restoration plans.
• An access bridge and road into the finca (farm) were built.
• Food forest – 1/2 hectare planted with 300+ trees in 2019, more in 2020. Site was selected based on extensive observation and the vocation of the area. It had been planted in corn the year the land was purchased and was returning to forest 2 years later when we did a selective chop and drop then planted seedlings among the existing pioneer species. A rustic irrigation system was also designed and installed. These trees are now well established, and several have started giving fruit. Other layers of the food forest still need establishing, such as ground cover, vines, and root crops.
• Rainbow Camp – first settlement area. Bunkhouse designed & built including rainwater catchment for sinks, shower, and overflow to food forest irrigation system. Outdoor kitchen also designed and built, temporary nursery established behind the kitchen, compost system set up, dry compost toilet installed, preliminary swales dug. More recently, upgrades have been done on the camp including the addition of electricity, a well, and water pump and piping throughout Rainbow area up to the Nance meadow expansion area and the hilltop. Water storage tanks have been installed and the nursery moved to a larger space of newly, built multi-purpose building. Storage shed built. Beds built & installed in each bunkhouse room. Raised bed and nursery areas fenced to deter iguanas.
• Food production – a raised bed area has been established, tested, and improved.
• Water management – large rainwater catchment pond and multiple swales and pit ponds dug. Vetiver has been planted along swales and on steep embankments to prevent erosion.
• Countless volunteers have helped us get where we are today. The first resident now lives at Casa Amarilla, which was built on the Nance meadow at the end of 2022.
As a recognised community-based organisation (OBC), Nueva Vida with the Ministry of the Environment and other OBCs in the province, such as ASAOCC and AIA. In addition, they partner with the local campus of the University of Panama, and with Innovaarte Foundation. Local level partnerships include the rural water committee, the local council, and the church committee.
Compost making
Water retention
Tree planting
Food growing
Erosion control
Soil building
Community building
Restoration of livelihoods
Regenerative entrepreneurialism
Natural building
Habitat creation
Agroforestry
Please select one skill and explain in the message field why you would like to volunteer at this ERC.
