Training and enabling impoverished residents of Mexico's Sierra Gorda Nature Reserve to launch eco-tourism enterprises that generate community income and protect the Reserve's natural resources.
The Sierra Gorda Reserve is home to 100,000 residents, 75 percent of whom live on less than $7 per day and depend upon the region’s natural resources for their livelihood. Market research has identified a significant demand for eco-tourism in the scenic Sierra Gorda region, but to date no such services exist. By making community income generation dependent upon conservation, the pressure on the area’s natural resources will be diminished, creating a win-win situation for all.
GESG will prepare residents to market and manage successful eco-enterprises.
It will create seven eco-tourism enterprises in Sierra Gorda Reserve. GESG will act as an integrating organization for the enterprises, securing eco-tourism certification and raising market access.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
