Protecting Guatemala’s Laguna Grande Reserve
Landscapes like Laguna Grande bring benefits to conservation, communities and climate, but without the proper protection, these vital services could be lost forever. Supporters of Laguna Grande can help to preserve this vast and vitally important habitat, preventing the draining and deforestation that comes with unchecked development.
This is an ecosystem that captures and stores huge amounts of carbon, helping us win the fight against climate change. It also harbours iconic species like the Jaguar, Baird’s Tapir and West Indian Manatee, and defends one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations from natural disasters. Meanwhile, project partner FUNDAECO work tirelessly to support sustainable livelihoods and provide health services to communities.
This project will support the expansion of the Laguna Grande Reserve, protecting an additional 3,294 acres (1,333 hectares) of forest. Threatened by timber extraction, the forest is part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, home to more than 350 bird species. It’s estimated that Laguna Grande itself could provide habitat for some 619 species of bird, fish, mammal, reptile and amphibian.
The project in action
Project funds are utilised on the ground by FUNDAECO, a conservation organisation that has worked in the area for over 20 years. The management of Laguna Grande is conducted in partnership with local Indigenous association Amantes de la Tierra.
The Future
By protecting much-needed habitat for threatened species and providing a natural solution to the climate crisis, the success of Laguna Grande will help change the world for the better. With benefits shared between people and wildlife, the project can also offer a blueprint for future conservation initiatives in Guatemala and beyond.
“The money that is given to the World Land Trust, in my estimation, has more effect on the wild world than almost anything I can think of.”
Sir David Attenborough, WLT Patron
Milestones
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Buy and protect 6.8 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve
CompletedWe can buy and protect 6.8 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve – with this, we will be shielding approximately 4,161 trees which store 4923 tC of carbon. This area will provide habitat for the Margay.
Protected species with this milestone
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Margay
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Buy and Protect 17 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve
CompletedWith this Milestone, we can Purchase and Protect 17 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve, protecting approximately 10,404 trees and storing 12,308 tC carbon. This area will provide habitat for the American (a.k.a West Indian) Manatee.
Protected species with this milestone
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American Manatee
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Buy and Protect 36 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve
CompletedThis enables us to acquire and conserve 36 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve, protect approximately 22,032 trees. The Estimate carbon storage of this area is 26,064 tC and it will provide habitat for the Yucatan Black-howler Monkey.
Protected species with this milestone
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Yucatan Black Howler Monkey
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Buy and Protect 72 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve
CompletedWe will purchase and protect 72 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve, assuring 44,064 trees and an estimate carbon storage of 52,128 tC. This area will provide habitat for the Baird’s Tapir.
Protected species with this milestone
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Baird’s Tapir
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Buy and Protect 180.8 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve
CompletedWe will purchase and protect 180.8 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve, providing shelter for approximately 110,649 trees and estimate carbon storage 130,899 tC. Protected area will provide habitat for the Ornate Hawk-Eagle.
Protected species with this milestone
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Ornate Hawk-eagle
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Buy and Protect 361.7 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve
CompletedPurchase and Protect 361.7 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve that can store 261,870 tC of carbon. The protected area will also provide habitat for the Otter.
Protected species with this milestone
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Neotropical Otter
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Buy and Protect 723.5 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve
CompletedThis amount would allow FUNDAECO to purchase and protect 723.5 hectares of the Laguna Grande Reserve, shield around 442,782 trees from being cut out and store an estimate of 523,814 tC of carbon. This area will provide habitat for the Jaguar. The only big cat that hunts in water, on land and in the trees, the Jaguar is perfectly suited to tracking prey through Laguna Grande’s varied habitats. As the largest cat species in the Western Hemisphere, the Jaguar occupies the position of apex predator here.
Protected species with this milestone
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Jaguar
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Atlantic Tarpon
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Cerulean Warbler
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Geoffroy's Spider Monkey
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Keel-billed Motmot
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Red-eyed Tree Frog
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