Restore and Protect Forests in Mesoamerica

Dear GlobalGiving supporter,

It is my pleasure to be back in touch with you--to provide you an update on some key activities we’ve undertaken over the last few months in support of this project.

As you know, our work builds from the ground up, working community-by-community to provide access to knowledge, networks, incentives, and tools for conservation. But it adds up to significant conservation results.

Since our last update, we’ve continued to work with the Municipal Forest Offices to train Forest Technicians. This year our goal is to train 80 new Forest Guards. We’ve been working with the Municipalities of San Sebastian, San Miguel, Soloma, and Santa Eulalia to assess their municipal tree nurseries and make recommendations on how they can be improved and their capacity expanded. They can currently produce about 100,000 trees/year. We’re working to increase this capacity, in part by building the skills and know-how of tree nursery technicians.

Wilfre, the Technician for the Municipality of San Sebastián says: “I have been gaining much experience in the management of the nursery since we've had the support of EcoLogic technician who has guided us in improved methods for seed collection and germination, transplanting of the seedlings to bags, the adequate filling of the bags, and has ‘taught us about the proper methods and distances for reforestation.”

“It is very important to me that year after year I can contribute to the recovery of areas that have been previously degraded by illegal logging, forest fires, and the advance of the agricultural frontier.’’

In Totonicapán, Guatemala, our local partners recently engaged in a campaign to reforest 120,000 trees and over 100 community members are engaging in regular forest monitoring on a monthly basis to prevent illegal logging. I've included a few pictures for you.

Thanks again for joining us in these efforts. Your support is invaluable.

In solidarity,

Mario Ardany de León

EcoLogic Program Officer, Guatemala

Links:

• NEWS ARTICLE (Spanish)

Dear GlobalGiving supporter,

Thank you so much for your support of this work to train local forest guardians in Guatemala!

Our work builds from the ground up, working community-by-community to provide access to knowledge, networks, incentives, and tools for conservation. But it adds up to significant conservation results. Overall, our work with Mancomunidad Frontera del Norte (MFN), seeks to conserve 19,032 acres (7,702 hectares) of the strategic Cuchumatanes mountain range, through sustainable management practices and restoration of natural resources, with the participation of municipal governments and local communities to mitigate the threats of biodiversity of species of flora and fauna. I’ve included a map with this update so you can get a sense of the scale and geography of the project.

Since my last update, I’ve continued to work with the Municipal Forest Offices to train Forest Technicians. This year our goal is to train 80 new Forest Guards. One of them, Nicolás Mateo recently shared his perspective. “I’ve participated in the trainings, in particular on how to be a forest guard. I’ve learned how to use a GPS device, how to measure tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH). I have also learned about seed collection, reforestation, agroforestry systems, and the penalties that are imposed for illegal logging.

Nicolás continued, “I’ve learned so much about caring for the forest and reforestation--for example about proper planting techniques, proper distances between seedlings when you plant them. I want other communities to join in on the protection of forests and water sources.”

Thanks again for joining us in these efforts. Your support is invaluable.

In solidarity,

Jose Luis Delgado Camposeco

Field Technician, Guatemala