New reserve in western highlands of Guatemala protects threatened amphibians

March 17, 2014 — ICFC is proud to announce the creation of the new Amphibian Conservation Reserve of San Isidro in the Western Highlands of Guatemala!

Together with local partner FUNDAECO, Global Wildlife Conservation, Rainforest Trust, World Land Trust, and the Amphibian Survival Alliance, ICFC supported the acquisition of a 922-hectare property that will be managed by FUNDAECO as a private nature reserve. Located in the lush subtropical forest of the Cuchumatanes mountain range, the area is a global priority (and was recognized as such by the Alliance for Zero Extinction) for harbouring no fewer than eleven Threatened amphibians. It is also home to three Threatened bird species.

The new reserve is a landmark both for the number of Threatened amphibians it protects and for being the first nature reserve to be established in northern Huehuetenango. The negotiations to achieve this tremendous conservation gain have been complex— taking over two years and involving 109 different landowners! But the payoff is enormous. We thank our partner FUNDAECO for successfully spearheading this effort and look forward to the development of the Amphibian San Isidro Reserve!

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