Youth Lead Creative Conservation through Art and Action

EcoLogic's Guatemala team is proud to have recently received a Creative Advocacy Practices (CAP) Mini-Grant from the Creative Action Institute (CAI). With this support, our local team implemented a youth-led initiative that used art and participatory education to protect forests and water sources in Totonicapán.

This effort was built on recent training provided by CAI, where EcoLogic staff explored creative tools to strengthen environmental leadership and deepen community engagement. The resulting project is titled: "The Voice of Youth in the Fight for Natural Resource Conservation in Totonicapán Through Art."

Focusing on Youth Voices

Led by EcoLogic Field Technician Jonatán Menchú Tzún, the project brought together 40 young leaders from across the ancestral territory of the 48 Cantones of Totonicapán. These youth included representatives from local communities such as Chuipachec, located near the communal forest, and hailed from diverse local groups, including the Instituto Básico por Cooperativa, local educators, and viveristas (tree nursery workers). 

Working with these young leaders has been incredibly inspiring. They're full of ideas, energy, and a deep commitment to their communities.

The youth involved engaged in interactive workshops and field visits designed to strengthen critical thinking, leadership, and environmental awareness. They didn’t simply learn; they were also expected to share their knowledge with their communities, amplifying the project's reach and relevance.

It feels exciting to know that we can be part of the solution and bring these ideas back to our communities.

The training process unfolded across four structured sessions. Youth began by creating a graphic ‘problem tree’ to explore the root causes of environmental degradation, including illegal logging, forest fires, and poor waste management. This was followed by a ‘solution tree’ that identified practical, community-driven interventions that could be implemented at home, in schools, and through community organizing. 

Jonatán shares that "working with these young leaders has been incredibly inspiring. They're full of ideas, energy, and a deep commitment to their communities. This training is helping them understand that conservation is not only about protecting trees, but also about preserving their identity, culture, and the future of their land. Through art, they're finding their voice and leading conversations that matter."

From Critical Thinking to Creative Expression

Participants used creative methodologies to better understand environmental challenges and design local solutions. These included:

• PhotoVoice, where they document their communities through photography and use images as a platform for discussion

• Iceberg Analysis, which uncovers the deeper systems behind deforestation

• Social X-Ray Mapping, used to visualize community power dynamics and identify allies

• Fishbone Diagrams, which help analyze the causes and effects of forest degradation

These creative exercises were only the beginning. To connect ideas with action, participants also visited the communal tree nursery and nearby forest to deepen their understanding of local conservation efforts. A special focus was placed on Abies guatemalensis, a critically endangered tree species vital to the region's ecosystem and water systems. "We are learning so much," said one of the youth participants. "Not only about the forest, but also about our role in protecting it. It feels exciting to know that we can be part of the solution and bring these ideas back to our communities."

As a culmination of their training, the youth, supported by local artists, co-created a public mural near the entrance to Totonicapán. This large-scale artwork features the message: "El cuidado de los bienes y recursos naturales comienza en casa y se fortalece en la comunidad" ("The care of natural resources begins at home and is strengthened in the community"). Designed to be highly visible to community members and visitors alike, the mural serves as a lasting symbol of youth-led advocacy.

Investing in Community-Led Conservation

The project was implemented in close coordination with the Junta Directiva de Bienes y Recursos Naturales de los 48 Cantones, as well as with local authorities, who facilitated community engagement and supported youth involvement.

The project's impact will be tracked through creative evaluation tools, including post-workshop questionnaires, group reflections, and video testimonials from participants. These tools will help document not only what youth have learned, but how they are applying it in their daily lives.

The project concluded with the mural unveiling and a community event where participating youth were awarded certificates. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the 48 Cantones’ natural resources board, community leaders, the Creative Action Institute, and local media, amplifying the voices and visibility of youth as environmental leaders.

By investing in creative leadership and local knowledge, this CAP-supported initiative aims to reduce deforestation, strengthen cultural identity, and build long-term stewardship of Totonicapán's forests.

As activities continue through 2025, we look forward to sharing the stories, artwork, and voices of the young people leading the way for conservation in Guatemala.