Tropical Forest and Wetlands, Guatemala
A new nature reserve, the Laguna Grande-Sarstún Reserve is being established in Caribbean Guatemala located just south of the border with Belize, within the Rio Sarstún Watershed.
Find out how the WLT is protecting forest and wetlands in Guatemala...
How WLT is helping
With the support of WLT, local Guatemalan NGO FUNDAECO have secured 1,658 acres (671 ha). WLT now continues to raise funds to complete the payment for this reserve and to ensure its permanent protection.
WLT is also funding more rangers for FUNDAECO through the Keepers of the Wild Appeal.
Urgent funding needed
This project is supported through the Buy an Acre fund. Funds are needed to complete the payment of the reserve and for future land purchases in the area.
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Biodiversity
A high diversity of plant and animal species including:
Plants:
As many as 57 endemic species.
Amphibians:
49 species including 3 endemic Salamanders.
Mammals:
84 species including: the Neotropical Otter (Lutra longicaudis), Mexican Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra), Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii), West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) and five species of big cat including Jaguar (Panthera onca);
Birds:
Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea) and Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens).
The area is also a very important stop over and breeding site for migratory birds.
The reserve
Laguna Grande Sarstún
Total size supported by WLT: 1,658 acres (671 ha)
The property is located right at the centre of the largest contiguous riparian forest on the Guatemalan side of the Rio Sarstún, in an area that encompasses a unique system of lagoons, mangroves, inundated forests, lowland forests, and karstic mountain forests between sea level and 385m.
FUNDAECO aim to provide alternative employment and income generating opportunities for the local Q´eqchí communities located south of the Reserve, thus reducing the long term possibilities of encroachment for illegal resource extraction.
Local people are very much part of this project and FUNADECO are working closely with the nearest community to the Reserve, where they are carrying out two development projects: Training of Q’eqchí women as tourism caterers; and aquaculture of native species of fish with local fishermen.
Guatemala News
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Sir David Attenborough, WLT Patron
