Panama Launches 2026 National Reforestation Program to Restore 1,000+ Hectares of Degraded Land

Panama's Ministry of Environment officially launched its 2026 national Reforestation Program on May 4, 2026, with the goal of recovering more than 1,000 hectares of degraded land across the country. The program targets critical watersheds where deforestation has caused soil erosion, reduced water availability for agriculture and communities, and increased vulnerability to extreme weather. Restored forests will capture carbon, protect watersheds that supply water to the Panama Canal and rural communities, and reduce erosion in areas at high risk of landslides during the rainy season. The initiative supports rural communities by improving land productivity and protecting natural resources. Panama, which has one of the highest forest cover percentages in Central America at approximately 65%, is working to reverse deforestation in fragmented agricultural zones.