By Fernando Recancoj | Project Technician, Totonicapan, Guatemala
Dear GlobalGiving supporter,
I hope you’ve been well! I write to share an update on some key activities we’ve been working on over the last few months in support of this project.
First, I wanted to share a message in Maya Kiché from our partner organization in Totonicapán, Guatemala: “Stop Destroying our Forest.” VIDEO LINK HERE. This indigenous organization, the Natural Resource Council of the 48 Cantones has been fighting for centuries to protect its communal forest--a life-giving source for their communities.
Yet, this is becoming an increasingly difficult and dangerous task. Across the globe, forest defenders are being targeted as they face growing threats to their lives, rights, and forests. Such is the case in Guatemala. I was recently on a forest monitoring outing with the Natural Resource Council. We came upon loggers who did not want to stop their illegal forest destruction activities and we faced a very tense standoff. Thankfully the situation was diffused, the authorities took proper action, and everyone was safe. Safety is always our first priority, however, our local partners face very real challenges in their forest protection efforts.
Finally, we have been monitoring some of the biodiversity that the forest houses and recently started uploading pictures onto the iNaturalist database. By clicking on this link, you can see some of the birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals we have documented so far.
In hope and action,
Fernando Recancoj, Project Technician
Totonicapan, Guatemala
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