Foundation for Ecodevelopment and Conservation

FUNDAECO have worked for 33 years to protect and manage nature reserves throughout Guatemala. They work to balance the needs of local communities and wildlife in jointly agreed land use plans, and helps to ensure that agricultural practices around reserves are sustainable.

The ERF-supported project in Caribbean Guatemala, led by the NGO FUNDAECO, aims to conserve 990 hectares within the Cerro San Gil Protected Area by expanding Full Conservation Zones and establishing biological corridors to create a contiguous protected area on either side of a volcanic ridge. Cerro San Gil is one of the most biodiverse forests in Guatemala, rising from sea level to 1,300 meters in less than 15 kilometres. This project will protect lowland rainforest, wetland, and mangrove habitats, facilitating connectivity between the Caribbean Sea and the Río Dulce National Park.

The area is a crucial habitat for migratory birds, hosting over 280 species, and shelters endangered amphibians like the Guatemala Stream Frog. Despite its protected status, Cerro San Gil faces threats from deforestation due to cattle ranching, agriculture, and tourism. To counter these threats, FUNDAECO’s community work addresses both human needs and the drivers of deforestation. The project generates jobs and supports ecotourism, benefiting local communities, including Maya Q’eqchí residents, who face high poverty rates.