CONTENT: Article
After a hurricane, local leaders need to rebuild not only the damaged roads and buildings, but also the injured trees and plant life. The loss of natural habitat for animals during these major storms can leave some species completely homeless and without a food source.
In 2017, Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest experienced long-lasting damage from Hurricanes María and Irma. Around 30 percent of the island’s trees were damaged or destroyed, and Hurricane María was the strongest hurricane to make direct landfall on Puerto Rico since 1928. Due to the storm damage, the critically endangered Puerto Rican parrot suffered a 95 percent decline in population. In addition, the on-site greenhouse – an important resource for propagating seedlings to restore lost canopy cover – was demolished during the storm. Linde partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to rebuild the greenhouse and begin the long-term restoration of El Yunque National Forest.