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

2. 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

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Questions and next steps?