Colombian Amazon leaders explore rainforest protection in Guatemala

In the lush Mayan jungle of northern Guatemala, in the largest protected area in Central America, some thirty leaders from the Colombian Amazon learned and shared strategies with Guatemalan farmers on how to live off the forest without destroying it. The visiting group discussed ways to ensure the rain forest remains healthy, while studying the reserve-type model Guatemala has been developing since 1994.

Guatemala's vast sustainability project aims to achieve a balance in which communities reforest, cut down trees for timber in a controlled way, grow grains and vegetables, collect ornamental plants, and even develop low-impact tourism.