Turning plans into actions: a year and a half of results

 

In just over a year and a half, 36 communities, 2,200 hectares of restored land, and thousands of people have been trained, helping to shape a more resilient Mesoamerica. 

Cassava plot in the community of Pla Playa, Honduras. Photos by Mario Jolón (WCS Mesoamerica and the Caribbean)


Empowering people and communities 
  • Stronger community governance: 36 communities developed climate-smart plans, and 27 organizations received technical assistance in areas such as beekeeping, agroforestry, and community tourism. 

  • Skills and training: More than 1,900 people were trained in governance, rights, sustainable livelihoods, fire prevention, and biodiversity monitoring. Training included innovative tools like drones, participatory mapping, and digital apps. 

  • Inclusive participation: Women and youth were central to activities, from leadership workshops to the first AgroMarket Hackathon, where young people designed solutions to strengthen local businesses. 


Protecting nature
  • Conservation at scale: Four major protected areas—Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras), Laguna del Tigre (Guatemala), Chiquibul (Belize), and Cerro Huexque Ecological Park (Guatemala)—were strengthened through new equipment, training, and joint patrols. 

  • Patrols and monitoring: More than 31,600 km of land and aerial patrols were carried out, deterring illegal logging and protecting wildlife. 

  • Wildfire control: Over 300 people were trained and equipped, and strategic firebreaks established. Several Indigenous communities in Honduras declared “zero-burn zones,” reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting forests. 

  • Biodiversity safeguarded: Monitoring covered 10 flagship species, including scarlet macaws, jaguars, tapirs, and freshwater turtles. Eleven technical studies were completed to guide conservation action. 

  • Community conservation agreements: Seven new agreements formalized commitments between communities and authorities to sustainably manage forests. 


Advancing climate resilience
  • Restoring degraded lands: More than 2,200 hectares were restored with native species, fruit trees, and agroforestry systems, far surpassing the original target of 314 hectares. 

  • Sustainable value chains: Local enterprises in honey, cacao, timber, and non-timber products received support, increasing family incomes while conserving forests. In Belize alone, 50 cacao-producing families planted over 13,000 trees for long-term soil and forest recovery. 

  • Climate-smart community plans: 22 plans now guide resilient agriculture, water management, and livelihood strategies across four countries. 

  • Climate finance foundations: A Forest Conservation and Recovery Fund in Petén (Guatemala) and new REDD+ initiatives in Belize are laying the groundwork for long-term financing. 


Spreading awareness and building partnerships
  • Reaching people: Communication campaigns and social media outreach connected with more than 214,000 people across the region, sharing success stories of conservation and sustainable livelihoods. 

  • Land rights awareness: A campaign in La Moskitia reached over 3 million people, strengthening understanding of Indigenous land tenure and rights. 

  • Collaboration: Agreements with local governments, Indigenous councils, NGOs, and research institutions created stronger platforms for action.


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