This four-year project (2024-2027) focuses on restoring and protecting mangrove forests and beaches along three municipalities along the Guatemala’s Pacific coast, vital habitats for marine turtles and essential ecosystems for local communities.

These ecosystems provide food, climate resilience, and economic opportunities, particularly through tourism. However, they face threats from pollution, abandoned fishing nets, and extreme weather events, worsened by mangrove degradation.

The project is implementing the municipalities climate action plans by restoring 45 hectares of mangroves, manage 240 tons of plastic waste, and implement a pilot program to address ghost fishing nets. Key efforts include enhancing a turtle hatchery, safeguarding nesting sites, and engaging 50,000 people in awareness campaigns.

To enhance forest governance, WWF partners with Local Mangrove Roundtables to restore mangroves, engaging communities through workshops, tree planting, and tailored meetings to address local needs.

In collaboration with municipalities, communities, the private sector and central goverment, the initiative tackles climate action and sustainable development challenges, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities), 13 (Climate Action), and 14 (Life Below Water), paving the way for more sustainable, climate smart, resilient and thriving costal cities.