FUNDAECO
DONATE TO FUNDAECO Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner: FUNDAECO Location: Guatemala Category: Community Support & Development Land Purchases Protected Area Management Urgent Appeals: None currently Date Founded: 1990 Website: fundaeco.org.gt Partner Qualifications: IUCN MemberA distinguished Member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. IUCN Members are each vetted and voted on based on an independent, rigorous assessment and external references. Learn More Legally ConstitutedThis organization is formally constituted and is a legally recognized non-profit in its country of origin. Effective ImpactWe recognize this Partner for their tremendous efforts to make a difference for wildlife and local communities, as well as welcome technical support from Conservation Allies to improve and scale up their impact. About FUNDAECO FUNDAECO is a Guatemalan organization dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable community development. Established in 1990, FUNDAECO works to preserve biodiversity and to promote sustainable livelihoods in partnership with over 200 rural communities across the country, in over 20 Protected Areas and Nature Reserves. Their Challenges In a world increasingly threatened by the global climate crisis, Guatemala’s ecosystems also face threats from illegal logging and deforestation, trafficking of endangered species, forest fires (both accidental and intentional), unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, and rapid population growth. FUNDAECO focuses its efforts on the protection of forests and other vital and highly vulnerable ecosystems, to conserve the rich biodiversity that inhabits Guatemala. Working collaboratively with local communities, they seek to build a sustainable future for the country. Their Approach FUNDAECO promotes the establishment and management of Nature Reserves and Protected Areas, and the development of sustainable land uses and livelihoods for local communities. Over the past 35 years of continued conservation work, FUNDAECO has achievedA network of more than 15 natural reserves encompassing over 50,000 acres– A network of more than 15 ecotourism sites open to visitors, with high scenic qualityand ecological value– A network of 5 institutional biocenters or regenerative farms, planted withexperimental and diversified Agroforestry Systems– A network of 34 women clinics that provide reproductive health services(including access to family planning) for communities in protected areas– A REDD+ Project validated by VCS with a total area of more than 125,000 acres withmore than 1,000 partners-forest owners within the grouped project– A technical assistance program for the establishment of agroforestry systems for thegeneration of sustainable income and for carbon sequestration, with more than 300 partners and more than 3,700 acres planted– A network of more than 15 Metropolitan Ecological Parks, vital components of theMetropolitan Ecological Green Belt of Guatemala City– With more than 30 years of implementation, the Guatemalan Caribbean BirdMonitoring Program is one of the longest-running in Latin America and the longest inCentral America– A network of 9 Fishing Recovery Zones established in the Caribbean of Guatemala, for the protection of marine biodiversity and the support to sustainable artisanal fisheriesfor hundreds of families in fishing communities Why They Need Your Help Over the years, FUNDAECO has maintained a consistent effort to defend ecosystems and their people, to protect unique and endangered wildlife species, and to promote the sustainable development of hundreds of rural communities.Your contribution will help them replicate and expand the scope of our actions across the country. Your support is critical for the conservation of the Maya rainforest, the protection of some of the most pristine cloud forests in Central America, the preservation of some of the rarest species of salamanders, and the conservation of vital migratory and stopover habitats for migratory birds, among other important conservation objectives.The biodiversity of Guatemala and Central America is a unique and irreplaceable natural heritage for the planet. Join FUNDAECO in safeguarding the Natural Bridge of the Americas!
Defensores de la Naturaleza
DONATE TO DEFENSORES DE LA NATURALEZA Verified for authenticity Learn More IMPACT PROMISE Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact Partner Snapshot Partner: Defensores de la Naturaleza Location: Guatemala, Latin America Category: Community Support and Development Wildlife Conservation Protected Area Management Urgent Appeals: Help Prevent Fires in the Maya Forest Date Founded: 1986 Website: www.defensores.org.gt Partner Qualifications: IUCN MemberA distinguished Member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. IUCN Members are each vetted and voted on based on an independent, rigorous assessment and external references. Learn More Legally ConstitutedThis organization is formally constituted and is a legally recognized non-profit in its country of origin. About Defensores de la Naturaleza Defensores de la Naturaleza is the formal environmental organization with the longest history in Guatemala, having been managing and carrying out conservation activities for more than 40 years. Their work has contributed to the conservation of 80% of the Guatemalan flora and fauna species, as well as the management of more than 87 watersheds that supply water to more than 500,000 inhabitants. They are currently responsible for the protection and management of 4 protected areas in the country: Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve, Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge, Sierra del Lacandón National Park, and United Nations National Park. These areas are home to much threatened biodiversity, including the Guatemalan fir, the Yucatán black howler monkey, the Jaguar, the Horned guan, the American manatee, and the Resplendent quetzal. Their Challenges Forest fires are one of the main threats to the degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity in the protected areas that Defensores de la Naturaleza co-manages. For this reason, accessing continuous funding to carry out forest fire monitoring and control, especially during the dry season, has become one of their main challenges. Another key focus is to persist in their biological monitoring endeavors, aiming for a conservation model rooted in evidence and data. Simultaneously, their ongoing efforts involve exploring avenues to assist communities residing near protected areas in adapting to climate change. This encompasses initiatives such as promoting water access, implementing ecosystem-based adaptation strategies, establishing agroforestry systems, and providing support to local associations, all of which have their unique challenges. Their Approach Defensores de la Naturaleza adheres to five strategic pillars of action to achieve their goals: Climate Action and Resilience: Promoting effective initiatives that contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change and enable local populations to adapt and be resilient in the long term Natural Areas and Biodiversity: Establishing measures that contribute to the management and protection of areas crucial for the conservation of biological diversity Environmental Education and Awareness: Supporting the teaching-learning process to strengthen capacities, generate positive attitude changes, and instill environmental care in future generations Organizational Development: Focusing on achieving the optimal functioning of the organization by ensuring the alignment of processes, the efficiency of program execution, and the management of human talent Citizen Advocacy: Seeking to influence decision-making spaces at national and international levels, connecting with individuals and organizations dedicated to the conservation and protection of the environment Why They Need Your Help Defensores de la Naturaleza plays a crucial role in safeguarding Guatemala’s biodiversity. The Protected Areas they manage represent 5% of the Guatemalan territory, supporting over 400 communities dependent on the provided natural resources. Sustaining the protection and effective management of these biodiverse regions requires ongoing financial support for professional salaries and expertise, proper equipment maintenance, expanded research initiatives, improved research stations, and the continuous creation of communication materials to raise national awareness about the environment’s significance. Conservation Allies charges no overhead fees or administration costs meaning 100% of your donation goes directly to Defensores de la Naturaleza. All donations made from the United States are fully tax-deductible.
