a capacity-building partnership a forest of hope conserving the Maya Forest of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico a capacity-building partnership

Project Objective Unique capacity-building partnership between The Nature Conservancy, Rainforest Alliance and the World Environment Center to support conservation activities in the Maya Forest of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico

Why the Maya Forest? Second largest rainforest in the Americas outside of the Amazon Helps preserve the incredible diversity of this rainforest ecosystem Mitigate global warming by sequestering carbon dioxide Enhances sustainable livelihoods Improves community healthcare by providing job stability

Project Benefits Improved conservation of critical habitats and species Improved quality of life for indigenous peoples Leadership and precedent in the creation of new models for public-private conservation and development partnerships An approach to solving problems of globalization through private-sector initiatives

Project Details Three linked capacity-building tracks: Encourages formation of a tri-national conservation coalition with a common vision for the Maya Forest Promotes sustainable livelihoods through training, certification and other market incentives Strengthens protection of parks, private reserves and other protected areas

Track 1 - Conservation Coalition Includes representatives of federal, state & municipal governments; community leaders; NGOs; business; development agencies and research institutions Coalition will coalesce around the partnership’s ecoregional planning process Engages all stakeholders in a participatory process “Portfolio of priority sites” protects native biodiversity

Track 1 - Conservation Coalition Partnership has already initiated preliminary preparation for a conservation blueprint Planning phase is expected to be completed by Nov. 2004 Assemble core ecoregional planning team to facilitate process with stakeholders Identify portfolio of priority areas Define strategies to abate threats

Track 2 - Sustainable Livelihoods Numerous threats to Maya Forest Deforestation - 200,000 acres per year Population growth - 5-10% per year Illegal logging Focus on implementation of best management practices in forestry, nontimber forest products, agriculture and ecotourism

Track 2 - Sustainable Livelihoods Partnering with local and indigenous communities to sustainably harvest timber and xate, agricultural products and train ecotourism operations. Promote sustainable harvesting of wood and develop market linkages for other species Ensure sustainability of the wild xate palm Link responsible buyers and producers Increase best management practices by ecotourism operations

Track 3 - Managing Protected Lands Partnership will improve management of public parks and privately owned preserves Build capacity for protection through training, education and technical assistance Leverage existing USAID support for “Parks in Peril” program

Project Funding $2.5 million budget over three years Corporate and public funding Corporate support levels Gold: $250,000 Silver: $100,000 Bronze: $50,000

Gold Level Benefits Top visibility (corporate name and logo) in all materials promoting the partnership, including standalone website Prominent visibility at a regional, tri-national conference VIP field trip to project site One-page corporate profile in high-quality photo book on Maya Forest Availability of project expert to speak at one of the sponsor’s employee programs Subject of case studies at corporate forums held by three partnership organizations Top visibility in salute ad donated by WSJ or NYT Recognition in annual reports of three organizations

Silver Level Benefits Corporate name listed on all materials promoting the partnership, including standalone website Recognition at a regional, tri-national conference Prominent visibility (corporate name and logo) in high-quality photo book on Maya Forest Subject of case studies at forums held by three partnership organizations Recognition in salute ad donated by WSJ or NYT Recognition in annual reports of three organizations

Bronze Level Benefits Corporate name listed on all materials promoting the partnership, including standalone website Recognition at a regional, tri-national conference Subject of case studies at forums held by three partnership organizations Recognition in salute ad donated by WSJ or NYT

Selected Metrics of Success Track 1 - Conservation Coalition No. of organizations represented in the blueprint process No. of organizations adopting the blueprint Track 2 - Sustainable Livelihoods No. of acres certified under “Smartwood” program No. of acres of xate under sustainable management Increase in no. of tourists to Maya Forest Increase in income to region Reduction in percent of illegally logged mahogany Increase in revenue from non-traditional forest species

Selected Metrics of Success Track 3 - Managing Protected Lands No. of acres under increased protection and improved management No. of participants completing protected lands management training programs

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