Planting Peace in Paraxquim: Reforesting a Region in Conflict

High in the mountains of Nahualá, at over 3,000 meters above sea level, lies the rural community of Paraxquim—an area that has recently faced deep tensions between neighboring communities over land, water, and natural resources. These conflicts, rooted in a long history of inequality and scarcity, have placed immense pressure on both the people and the environment. But amid these challenges, a new chapter is beginning—one rooted in reforestation, restoration, and hope.

This past quarter, Wellkind Guatemala was honored to be invited into Paraxquim as part of our ongoing reforestation program funded by the Fund for the Conservation of Tropical Forests (FCA). The invitation itself was a powerful gesture—an opening to support both sides of a divided region through shared environmental work. In a landscape where access to resources has been a source of division, we’re working to make trees, soil conservation, and ecological restoration a bridge toward healing and regeneration.

Our efforts in Paraxquim are focused on restoring the degraded highland forest that surrounds the community. These areas are not only vital ecosystems but also the sources of clean water, fertile soil, and firewood—essentials for survival in this remote area. By bringing in thousands of native trees, along with hands-on workshops in agroforestry and land care, we’re helping residents of Paraxquim revitalize their land, reduce erosion, and begin to recover the natural abundance that has been lost.

This work hasn’t been easy. The remote location, combined with the community’s history of conflict, has required great care, patience, and trust-building. But already, the results are visible. We’ve seen people from different sides of the local divide come together to receive trees, attend trainings, and talk about their shared vision for a healthier environment. In many ways, these trees are more than just seedlings—they are symbols of a future that’s rooted in cooperation rather than conflict.

We’re proud to be working in Paraxquim. It is a community that reminds us of the power of restoration not only to heal land, but to bring people together. As the rains begin to fall and the first trees take root, we’re reminded that real peace often starts with quiet, grounded acts—like planting a tree in the mountains, for everyone.