a forest of hope conserving the Maya Forest of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico

1. a forest of hopeconserving 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 theWorld Environment Center to support conservation activities in theMaya 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 - 5-10% 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?