Association of
forest
communities
of Petén
Through our community forestry model, we manage 500,000 hectares of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, the largest in Mesoamerica
The communal organizations that form ACOFOP protect the biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Along with conservation actions, the community forestry model allows the communities that inhabit and care for the forests to generate economic and social benefits, through the sustainable use of timber species such as mahogany and cedar; non-timber products such as xate, ramón nut and pepper, as well as the management of tourism services.
MORE THAN 20 YEARS PROTECTING
THE FORESTS OF PETÉN
SINCE 1995 WE WORK ON THE PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE FOREST USE OF THE MULTIPLE-USE AREA OF THE MAYA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
1990
The Maya Biosphere Reserve was created in 1990, it is the largest protected area in Guatemala, managed by the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP)
1995
The Consultative Council of the Forest Communities of Petén (CONCOFOP) is born, and in 1997 it is legalized under the figure of the Association of Forest Communities of Petén (ACOFOP)
2000
ACOFOP consolidates its operation, achieving community management of more than 500,000 hectares of forests located in the Multiple-Use Zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR)
2003
In these years, ACOFOP seeks to broad its control over the chain of value, creating FORESCOM
2006
Guatecarbon is created, a pioneer program at a global level and central to Guatemala’s strategy to fight climate change
2010
ACOFOP evolves from an organization that carries out forest management towards Territorial Governance, facing the multiple threats that affect the MBR. ACOFOP achieves zero forest fires in the areas under its control
2012
The international emission reduction certification of the Voluntary Carbon Standard is obtained
2020
ACOFOP achieves a rate of forest fires of around 0%, and a deforestation rate of 0.4%. The Community Forestry Model is recognized internationally, but despite the noticeable achievements, this model does not have legal certainty to guarantee the sustainable management of the Reserve in the years to come
2022
The first Community Forest Concession of Petén will expire
ASSOCIATIONS
ORGANIZATIONS THAT
CONFORM ACOFOP
Petén
Y Conservación (OMYC)
Petén
Impulsores Suchiteco
Petén
San Andrés (Afisap)
Petén
Custodios de la selva
Petén
Árbol Verde
Petén
Chachaklum
Petén
Del norte
Petén
El esfuerzo
Petén
Integral Cruce a la Colorada
Petén
Petén
Petén
Petén
Del bosque
Petén
Amigos del Bosque
Petén
Petén
Petén
Petén
Petén
COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE
AND FOREST CONSERVATION
The Petén Community Forestry Model is recognized worldwide for promoting biodiversity and forest conservation while strengthening the sustainable development of communities.
Since we manage 70% of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, we implement a model of sustainable forest management that allows us to preserve them and obtain various derivative products that are sold nationally and internationally. These products include: a) certified wood and b) added-value byproducts such as xate palm, pepper, Ramón seed and apiculture products. Additionally, taking advantage of the beauty and cultural richness of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, community tourism services are also offered.
All economic activities carried out comply with the parameters stipulated in the FSC certification.
The income received from productive activities is reinvested in infrastructure, health, education and monitoring and control, which guarantee the protection of forests, biodiversity and the architectural and cultural heritage of the Maya Biosphere Reserve.
Our most important achievements are the reduction of forest fire and deforestation rates. In our action ratio the fire rate is around 0% and deforestation is less than 1%.
Thanks to our work, this model has managed to keep the forest standing and has been recognized internationally as a sustainable solution that can be replicated throughout the region.
CERTIFICATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ACOFOP is certified internationally by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) guaranteen the sustainability of its activities
ACOFOP’s community management units are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Rainforest Alliance, these certifications have been granted due to the high environmental standards with which we manage the forests.
The FSC is an international non-profit organization that sets the global standards on what is a forest managed in a responsible manner, both environmentally and socially. Learn more about FSC here
ACOFOP invests resources, work and technology to maintain its certifications, always seeking the constant improvement of the quality of life of the communities and the social, ecological, economic and political sustainability of the Multiple Use Zone and the Maya Biosphere Reserve .
The economic resources generated from sustainable forest management are reinvested in the construction of classrooms, stock exchanges, teacher payments, contract of minimum health units and other basic services for the communities.
ACOFOP’s achievements have led to a series of recognitions both nationally and internationally, among which the following stand out:
ANONYMOUS HERO
granted by the System
of United Nations
in Guatemala
NATIONAL
GEOGRAPHIC
recognition for his
leadership in conservation
in Latin America.
Prize "PROJECT
FROM THE MARKET
Innovations
of the cigar"
(the 16 world centers of agricultural
scientific research, livestock and
fishing)
Recognition
of the acicafoc
Indigenous coordinating Association
and agroforestry peasant Central
American Community for the
contribution to the organizational
process of the Community Agroforestry,
in the access, use and management of
of Natural Resources in Central America.
Certificate of Excellence
Equator initiative
of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for the Conservation of Biodiversity and the Reduction of Poverty. Given in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the World Summit on Sustainable Development. 2002
National Forest Prize
The National Forests Institute of Guatemala (INAB) awards it to ACOFOP, for the achievements obtained at the international level in favor of forest development in Guatemala. 2002
Recognition of the
United states of
America Embassy
through USAID, for the efforts made in the fight against forest fires. 2003
Environmental Torch
Prize
from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for Latin American leadership in environmental issues. 2006
The Environmental
Presidential Medal
of 2003
The Government of Guatemala awards ACOFOP the Environment Presidential Medal of 2003, for various achievements related to the conservation of the Multiple Use Zone of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve
Sustainable Standart-
Setter Prize
Rainforest Alliance recognizes the work of ACOFOP in relation to the protection of biodiversity through the participation of the community organization. 2007
The Guatemalan
Ministry of Agriculture,
livestock and food
through the Vice Ministry in Charge of Petén Affairs, recognizes ACOFOP for its invaluable dedication, commitment, effort and close collaboration in the productive development of the Petén Department. 2015
The Forest Stewardship
Council and the
National Council
of Satandars
Recognition from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the National Council of Standards of Sustainable Forest Management for Guatemala (CONESFORGUA) for various achievements and the use of the International Forest Certification as a mechanism for the conservation of the forests of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. 2016
Mexican Network
of farmer forestry
Organizations
Recognition from the Mexican Network of Farmer Forestry Organizations (Red MOCAF) for the success achieved in the Forestry Development of Guatemala. 2017
More than 20
international awards
to Macedonio Cortave
More than 20 international awards to the leader of the concession process, Macedonio Cortave, including an Honoris Causa Doctorate from the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, in recognition for the promotion of the integral management model of natural resources and the conservation of the Maya Biosphere Reserve
Second Place in the
landscape award
from the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) Bonn. 2018
Recognition from the Government of Guatemala
in representation of the “Petén Community Forest Model” on the 30th Anniversary of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. 2019