Geographic Information Systems Project 

Catholic Relief Services, Conservation Technology and Support Program, Environmental Systems Research Institute, US National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Nature Conservancy, US Agency for International Development (USAID), US Geological Survey, Ted Cheeseman, Ian Thomas, Trocaire, Trimble, National Imagery Mapping Agency.

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Protected areas

FUNDAECO’s Geographic Information System (GIS) is a fundamental work tool that incorporates updated information, databases, satellite imagery, maps, and geographical analysis of program information. The system supports and facilitates management and conservation work in the protected areas where the organisation works and supports all groups interested in GIS-generated information. The aim is to use GIS to assist in decision making about land management and to support lobbying work before local and national authorities. The specific aims are to: 1) Establish a network to locate reference points and manage updated information; 2) To create and manage protected areas; 3) To help nongovernment and government institutions share information that benefits nature conservation; 4) To strengthen the national environmental movement by involving participation by national networks, including the Committee of Guatemalan IUCN Members, the Trinational Alliance of NGOs of the Gulf of Honduras and others.

Established an operative GIS

• Established an operative GIS, with the capacity to manage protected areas and equipped with high technology, such as computers, software, digital tables, plotters, printers, GPS, scanners, digitised satellite imagery, plus trained personnel.
• Produced lands use and cover map for the Gulf of Honduras area.
• Produced a relief map of Gulf of Honduras.
• Completed a chronological analysis of the forest cover in of the protected areas of Cerro San Gil and Río Sarstún.
• Supported the elaboration of maps and geographic information studies for Catholic Relief Services, the National Council of Protected Areas and other collaborating entities.
• Produced and used more than 100 thematic maps for fieldwork and land management.
• Provided technical and analytical training for land measurements and geographic referencing in real time.
• The production of a versatile GIS system which provides immediate tools for the organisation.

To become 100% self-financed.  To directly support the creation of three new protected areas in Guatemala and to establish an ongoing training program directed toward other interested groups and people.

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