Lacandón Forests for Life
Is a project located in Sierra del Lacandón National Park within the Petén department north of Guatemala. The goal is to conserve the tropical forest and its ecosystems while collaborating with the local communities.

PROJECT
An alternative for the local communities and the environment
The project started on February 1st of 2012 and, we expected it to last until January 31st of 2041. So far, we have avoided enough forest deforestation and degradation to produce carbon credits that are certified by the VCS and CCB.

When we designed this project, we considered the local communities to create a free and informed partnership. Currently, we only work in cooperatives La Lucha, La Técnica Agropecuaria, La Unión Maya Itzá, and private properties of Defensores de la Naturaleza.
The tropical forest of the north of Guatemala is considered a biodiversity hotspot. Within Maya Biosphere Reserve, Sierra del Lacandón is one of the most endangered ecosystems of the world. It offers refuge to species in danger of extinction like the scarlet macaw (Ara Macao), white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), and jaguar (Panthera onca).
Sustainable forestry activities constitute an income for local communities. They have also improved water management and farming techniques to conserve the natural resources of the area. We are proud of this project because it reinforces local governance, encourages woman participation, and develops sustainable economic initiatives.
IMPACT
Results of the project at Sierra del Lacandón National Park
53,000
hectares conserved
+870
species protected
179
families benefited

BLOG
Latest posts

Proyecto Cuencas Verdes: Acciones por el agua y la adaptación al Cambio Climático
Países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe impulsan soluciones basadas en la naturaleza para combatir el cambio climático Según el Índice Global de Riesgos Climáticos 2018

Bosques secundarios; una herramienta para mitigar el Cambio Climático
En conjunto con el Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza -CATIE-, personal de Defensores de la Naturaleza llevó a cabo el levantamiento de información