Fundación para el Ecodesarrollo y la Conservación -FUNDAECO-
The Pitch
The Foundation for Economic Development and Conservation (FUNDAECO) created a network of nature parks to provide ecosystem services and socio-economic opportunities across Guatemala City.
The Problem
Ravines and natural spaces in Guatemala City were neglected and transformed into illegal dumping grounds. Urban ecological areas were unmanaged and unprotected.
The Process
- Prepared a technical study to show the City of Guatemala where a shift in zoning regulations could protect natural areas, specifically focused on forested ravines
- Partnered with the city to enforce protective regulations and monitor ravines
- Created eight new parks and reserves (and counting) in Guatemala City and adjacent municipalities, adding 200+ hectares of forested ravines to the area
- Designated 4,000 hectares of land as low-impact development areas
- Instituted visitor fees and rented out park facilities to raise money to manage the network of parks
The Impact
- Raised $1 million+ via implementation of park visitor and rental fees
- Protects 5,000+ hectares of forested land and land with restoration potential
- Inspired private landowners to manage 100 hectares of land as ecological zones
- Increases publicly accessible green space: 300,000 residents visit the city’s network of nature parks each year
- Restores large swaths of natural area in the city and provides habitat for local flora and fauna
- Increases ecosystem services
- Creates green job opportunities for residents
- Inspires neighboring municipalities, NGOs and private entities to protect and/or restore natural areas
- Proposed legislation to the National Congress for the creation of the “Metropolitan Ecological Greenbelt” to guide land use regulations beyond the Municipality of Guatemala
