The Nature Conservancy and AEP launch landmark reforestation effort in Guatemala
Agreement is part of broader effort by the Central America and Mexico Hurricane Relief Fund
August 16, 2006
The shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
© Susan Ellis/TNC
The Nature Conservancy and American Electric Power (AEP) recently announced a landmark conservation and reforestation effort in the hurricane-ravaged Sierra Madre highlands of Guatemala.
The agreement is part of a larger public-private partnership called the Central America and Mexico Hurricane Relief Fund, which raises financial donations to help affected regions recover from the devastation of the 2005 hurricane season. As part of that fund, AEP has earmarked $2M that will directly support an ambitious reforestation program in Guatemala led by The Nature Conservancy and its partners.
“This effort represents an opportunity for hope and renewal after the devastation of last year’s Tropical Storm Stan, which impacted 1,100 communities and caused $450 million in damage in the Sierra Madre.”
Steve McCormick
President, The Nature Conservancy
“This effort represents an opportunity for hope and renewal after the devastation of last year’s Tropical Storm Stan, which impacted 1,100 communities and caused $450 million in damage in the Sierra Madre,” said Steve McCormick. “Through this joint project, the Conservancy and AEP will work with local Guatemalan communities to help with storm recovery and natural resource conservation in order to improve the quality of life of local peoples.”
The conservation and reforestation components of this agreement are critical to minimizing hurricane damage and to strengthening long-term economic development in the region. The forest areas of the Sierra Madre volcanic mountain range have become highly fragmented from years of unplanned use, hurting the supply of both water and forest resources for the communities that depend on them. Some species of plants and animals are dwindling and disappearing, and the landscape has become more vulnerable to mudslides, as evidenced by the damage caused during last year’s hurricane season.
The Conservancy and its local partners are increasing their forest protection efforts to ensure that the damage from future hurricanes is lessened by the presence of forest cover. This also will help prevent excessive erosion and siltation into freshwater streams and rivers and then onto coral reefs downstream.
“When we became aware of the devastation in this region, we knew we had to do something to help,” said Michael G. Morris, AEP Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our company has a long history of planting trees to reforest areas of the United States and working with groups like The Nature Conservancy to help restore and protect areas of significant international biodiversity, including areas of Bolivia, Brazil and Belize. Because of this experience, we’re pleased to fund a program, through the AEP Foundation, that is focused on reforestation and forest protection to help restore this region’s natural hurricane defense mechanisms and reduce the impact of future storms.”
Among other things, the $2M agreement with AEP calls for:
- Reforesting approximately 1,500 acres of land around Atitlan in areas impacted by landslides and conserving approximately 21,000 acres of private and public forestlands. This will result in 22,500 acres of newly conserved forests that will support local needs while protecting vulnerable areas.
- Working with local communities to improve their quality of life from better management of the resource base, including water use, tourism and forest management. This will help maintain and improve local livelihoods, strengthen local economies and improve their capacity for conserving the remaining biodiversity.
The reforestation project, which starts this year, is expected to last through 2008.
For More Information:
- Where We Work: The Nature Conservancy in Guatemala
The Nature Conservancy and local partner organizations are working together to protect Guatemala's stunning natural and cultural heritage, from the majestic Sierra Madre Volcanoes to the extensive Maya Forest surrounding the ancient Mayan city of Tikal.
- How We Work: Nature Conservancy Partnerships
The Nature Conservancy pursues non-confrontational, pragmatic, market-based solutions to conservation challenges. This makes it essential for us to work collaboratively with partners – communities, businesses, government agencies, multilateral institutions, individuals and other non-profit organizations.
- How We Work: Global Forest Partnership
Covering less than 2% of Earth’s surface, rainforests are home to more than half of the world’s plants and animals.
- Nature Conservancy News Room: Nature Conservancy Statement on the Impact of Hurricane Stan
Hurricane Stan decimated parts of Panajachel, Guatemala, where the Conservancy works with partners to protect the natural systems of this volcanic range in the Sierra Madre which we refer to as Islands in the Sky.
- Archive of our Saves of the Week and Success Stories
Read more about The Nature Conservancy's work to save the last great places on Earth.
