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Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve/
Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge

© Peg Kohring/The Nature Conservancy
Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala

Location: Eastern Guatemala

Total Area Protected: 583,000 acres

Partner Organization: Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza (Defensores)

Ecological Importance: The Sierra de Las Minas Biosphere Reserve and Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge safeguard approximately 80 percent of the country's biodiversity. The Sierra de Las Minas is the main water source for Guatemala's northeastern region, while Bocas del Polochic ("mouth of the Polochic river") regulates water quality.

Native Species: These areas harbor more than 1,000 mammal, bird and reptile species-many of which are endemic and charismatic species such as the quetzal and manatee-as well as 17 species of tropical conifers.