Defensores de la Naturaleza

In 2010, Guatemala was accepted in the group of the world’s 19 mega-diverse countries, which proves our mission more important than ever.

Since 1983, the Foundation Defensores de la Naturaleza (FDN) has been committed to the protection of Guatemala’s ecosystems, making it the country’s most experienced and qualified conservation organization.

In 1990, it became the first non-profit in Latin America to be trusted with the management of a conservation area, the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve.

Representing 5% of Guatemala’s territory, FDN currently manages four protected areas in the country: the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve, the Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge, the Sierra del Lacandón National Park, and the United Nations National Park. In addition, FDN created and now runs private and municipal conservation areas, mainly in the Motagua Valley’s subtropical thorn woodlands.

In total, these areas sustain 80% of the plant and animal species reported in Guatemala. Also, FDN takes an active part in conservation initiatives at the Latin American level.