Restore and Protect Forests in Mesoamerica

In northwestern Guatemala, one significant challenge in protecting forests is maintaining communication between isolated rural communities about ways to conserve communal land.

Local forest guards—who have been trained as part of EcoLogic’s work with Mancomunidad Frontera del Norte—have been creative and active in finding ways to best get the word out. Last year, one such passionate guard launched “Radio Sembrador,” roughly translated to “Radio Reforester.” The program broadcasts to over 60 communities across borders to share stories about the work of forest guards and to distribute new information to villagers regarding forestry techniques. Another example is a guard who works on a smaller but no less effective scale through a “loudspeaker learning” campaign.  He walks through town centers sharing stories and lessons learned through a bullhorn about water, soil, and reforestation management. 

Over 300 villages and seven different Mayan languages make up the communities that surround the forest, yet they all share the same land. Forest guards are filling the gap in communication by using their passion to actively ensure people are aware of ways to conserve and protect their land.

Training and working with local forest guards to prevent forest fires and illegal logging is one way in which EcoLogic is working with local partners to conserve and restore forests in the Cuchumatanes mountain range in Huehuetenago.