Mesoamerica

Lush forests and thriving communities

What's at Stake

A full third of Mesoamerica is covered in lush forest, which serves as home to scores of Indigenous and local communities, iconic wildlife, archeological wonders, and abundant biodiversity. While agriculture is the backbone of the region’s economy, it also drives deforestation and climate change.

Our Impact

Our community forestry work in the Selva Maya is recognized around the world as a stunning success for people and nature. We also work with certified farmers on producing crops like coffee, cocoa, and fruits sustainably.

Our reach in certification

700,000 hectares

Through our certification program, we work to improve the sustainability of 61,443 smallholder farmers, 233 farm groups, and almost 3,000 large farms across 700,000 thousand hectares. Almost half a million workers benefit from these efforts.

Data through 2023.

Protecting forests and building up communities

1 million hectares of forest managed sustainably

We worked with community forestry businesses to improve their conservation practices while achieving US$53 million in sales of forest products from 2013 to 2023. As a result, the communities conserved one million hectares of forest.

Mesoamerica

We always start by listening. We work with farmers and forest communities to develop solutions to their specific challenges—which range from a lack of investment and business skills to poor soils and droughts. Our agricultural certification program supports farmers and workers, while our forest work helps both forests and communities thrive.

Community: The Secret to Stopping Deforestation in Guatemala

The forest concessions of the Maya Biosphere Reserve have boasted a near-zero deforestation rate for 20 years.

Article

It Takes an Alliance: Activating Support for Indigenous Communities in Mexico

We worked with eight indigenous coffee-farming communities in Chiapas to build skills in fire prevention, business skills, and health and nutrition.

Article

These Banana Farms in Costa Rica Are Growing a Brighter Future

Rich biodiversity? Check. Well-treated workers? Check. Prepared for climate events? Check. Costa Rica's banana industry has a long history of worker abuse and environmental destruction—but these certified farms are proving there's a better way.

Article

The Rainforest Alliance's Work in Mexico

We are working to grow Mexico’s domestic market for sustainably produced products.

Article

All resources for Mesoamerica

Sustaining the Harvest in the Maya Biosphere Reserve

Assessment of the conservation status of big-leaf mahogany, Spanish cedar, and three lesser-known timber species populations in the forestry concessions of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Petén, Guatemala Ensuring the sustainability of forest harvesting is a cornerstone for developing competitive community forest enterprises (CFEs). Without continued availability of the forest products upon which an enterprise relies, […]

Case Study

August 29, 2016

Community Forest Enterprise Development: Case Studies from Latin America

Over the last two decades, countries across the tropics have devolved increasing authority over natural forests to local actors. While decentralizing control over natural forests is a step in the right direction, it is also clear that community forests can actually face increased pressure for conversion once they’re handed over. In this context, the capacity […]

Case Study

August 8, 2016