New Growth, Spring

Chicabal Lake

Highland Support Project trip participants from the Metropolitan State University of Denver recently visited Guatemala to help our partners from AMA rebuild their compost supply. Composting not only supports the local economy but also increases the biodiversity of the area. It ensures that native plants and trees can thrive. With Easter being the first full moon after the equinox, AMA made a special trip to visit the sacred Chicabal Lake to collect dry leaves to make compost for planting new seeds. This sacred crater lake is special to Mayans and is at the center of cosmovision with traditional ceremonies still being held on the shore. With the spring equinox being the return to light after a long and dark winter, it is celebrated by the planting of the spring crops.

Trip participants also planted 5 trays of cyprus seed and aliso (California sycamore) seeds in the compost harvested last year. Thanks to your help, we can continue to provide these native trees and provide resources for AMA’s team. As this project continues, we hope to see these numbers grow and an increase in biodiversity. As we welcome the warmer weather, we are excited to see the new growth from what our previous trips have planted.

Spring is the season of renewal and blossoming with nature's reawakening. Seeds planted in early fall or winter start to germinate with heavy rainfall replenishing rivers and lakes. The season embodies the cycle of life, reminding us that with every ending comes a new beginning.

Descending the crater-lake steps to harvest leaves

Tree sprouts in compost from last year