Community watershed management in Guatemala

The degradation of natural resources worldwide is a topic alarming for the consequences it has on climate change. The participation and involvement of community groups in the management of natural resources within their territory has been proposed as an alternative that could contribute to sustainable management of these resources. In accord with this premise, since 2003, the World Conservation Union (WCU) has promoted community participation in natural resource management in areas of western Guatemala, using the watershed approach. One of these areas is the Black River watershed, in the municipality of San Pablo, San Marcos, Guatemala, where this case study was conducted. The purpose was to identify key factors driving the contribution of these communities and their inhabitants to this project promoted by the WCU.