Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Huehuetenango has a total of 32,750 acres of community forests that house the highest levels of native plant species in Guatemala. Situated on the northern slope of the Cuchumatanes mountain range, it also contains four watersheds, which comprise about 75% of the area, providing water for over 200,000 people. There is significant pressure on forests from deforestation caused by the local population, illegal loggers, and the advance of the agricultural frontier.

There are 409 villages in the participating municipalities. The local population of 119,000 is made up of seven Mayan linguistic groups. Eighty percent of the population inhabits rural areas and depends upon subsistence agriculture. Sixty-five percent of the population lives in poverty, with an average family income of $65 per month.

Ecologic works closely with the Northern Border Municipalities Alliance, a coalition of seven municipalities in the Departments of Huehuetenango and Quiché that was initiated by their mayors to promote forest stewardship. EcoLogic is working with the Alliance and local communities on four projects in this area:

• Training of Forest Guards
• Reforestation and Agroforestry
• Forest Management in San Mateo Ixtatán
• Micro-Watershed Management in Xappér