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Guatemala's Lake Atitlan was created by a super-volcanic eruption 84,000 years ago, resulting in fertile land and a stunning tourist destination steeped in Mayan culture. However, deforestation, primarily for firewood and agriculture, has led to significant environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Over 30% of the native Rey Tepepul Nature Reserve has been lost, impacting water sources, soil fertility, and community health.
Addressing these issues, we will partner with local NGOs Wellkind Guatemala (website : Reforestation - WELLKIND and Tuik Ruch Lew (website: Helping the Earth: www.trlearth.org) in Santiago Atitlan to benefit the Tz'utujil community by reforesting the area, restoring ecological balance, and promoting sustainable agriculture. We plan to plant 15,000 trees, focusing on native species integrated with food crops, monitored by advanced technology to determine survival rates.
Additionally, the initiative includes workshops on reforestation techniques and environmental stewardship for farmers,
emphasizing diversity in tree and cash crops. It will train local women to manage a native tree nursery, fostering economic independence and environmental conservation.
This comprehensive holistic approach not only aims to rejuvenate the ecosystem but also seeks to improve community resilience, livelihoods, and long-term sustainability, benefitting both the people and nature in this vital region.
By restoring degraded areas and educating on ecosystem restoration, we aim to:
• secure long-term access for the community to essential resources like clean water and to continued use of firewood by managing cutting techniques that leave trees intact
• bolster ecosystem services crucial to community health and well-being
• and provide economic development (local produce and handiwork sales generating income from tourism and other
BUDGET AND HOW FUNDS WILL BE USED
Cost Item
$10,000 Trees purchased
$10,000 Nursery establishment
$ 4,000 Salaries of teachers, local leaders, NGO/CBOstaff,
and technical support
$ 1,000 Participants' compensation
$ 2,000 Educational materials
$ 6,000 Monitoring trees and pre evaluation of
reforestation sites
$ 3,000 Project publicity
$36,000 TOTAL
Funds will establish a native tree nursery managed by local women. Trees (1000 per hectare) will be purchased for reforestation. Funds also cover salaries for local leaders, Wellkind and TRL staff, educators, and technical support. Team responsibilities include workshops, tree distribution, and evaluation of education and reforestation sites
Host and International Club will participate on-site with training and implementation of the project.
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