Wildlife-Friendly Crops on the Conservation Coast

In Izabal's "Conservation Coast," a region where 65% of the original forest has been lost and which is home to nearly half of Guatemala's biodiversity, the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and FUNDAECO are working to protect remaining forest areas and restore the landscape through agroforestry systems. After contributing to the protection of more than 3,360 hectares crucial for migratory birds, the initiative is now promoting wildlife-compatible crops—such as black pepper, cardamom, rubber, cacao, and mahogany—in buffer zones. The goal is to improve forest cover by up to 40,000 hectares over the next 10 to 15 years, reduce pressure on forests, increase carbon sequestration, and strengthen local livelihoods. With training programs at BioCenters and a differentiated approach for large and small producers, the project promotes a land-use model that generates ecological and economic benefits at the landscape scale.