Indigenous Peoples and Natural Ecosystems in Central America and Southern Mexico Mapping Project 

Goldman Fund, National Geographic Society, Oak Foundation, Overbrook Foundation, Packard Foundation, David and Lucille, Summit Foundation, Tinker Foundation, Wallace Genetic Foundation.

Landsat satellite imagery

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Resource sustainability

To update the 1992 map of “The Indigenous Peoples and Natural Ecosystems in Central America and Southern Mexico” with the aims to: 1) Demonstrate the relationship between areas inhabited and used by indigenous peoples and the existence of remnant natural ecosystems in all of Mesoamerica; 2) Demonstrate the advance of deforestation in the region, from 1950 to the present; 3) Unite indigenous peoples and conservationists in seeking strategies to resolve common problems and 4) Support indigenous peoples in their struggles to defend their lands, resources, and identities. Indigenous communities live in some of the most important natural ecosystems that the global community is trying to protect. Supporting these communities to preserve their cultures and their lands is important for global sustainability.  Operational in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama.

A map scaled 1:2,408,000 was obtained, which showed forested areas, marine ecosystems, and indigenous territories; a digital baseline associated with the map was created that contained other data, and a Landsat satellite image of the entire region was obtained.  The printed map was published in the Latin American edition of National Geographic magazine. Tierras Nativas and the National Geographic assumed responsibility for the dissemination of the map over the Internet and in other media, to ensure greatest circulation and impact.

• Preparation of the map on "Indigenous Peoples and Natural Ecosystems in Central America and Southern Mexico, 2003" and distribution to decision-makers and organizations involved in the region.
• Recognition of indigenous peoples not taken into account in other maps, such as the Nahuas and the indigenous people of Texihuat in Honduras, and the Matagalpas, Nahuas, Sutiabas, Nicaraos and Chorotegas of Nicaragua’s Pacific slope.
• Preparation of national indigenous maps for El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Distribution of the national maps of El Salvador and Guatemala to decision-makers and organizations involved in the region.
• The map indicated the need to create alliances between indigenous peoples and conservationists for specific activities, such as co-management of protected areas (from the indigenous perspective), and sustainable development projects.

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