TENTH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP - GUATEMALA

FEBRUARY 9 – 19, 2007

 

Though Guatemala is a small country (the size of Tennessee), it possesses a wide range of natural and cultural assets. Sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, it offers nature-loving visitors opportunities to experience lowland tropical rainforests, volcanoes reaching nearly 14,000 ft., coastal mangroves and beaches, dry pine-oak forests and thornscrub. Guatemala is also well-known for its cultural diversity, apparent by the colorful traditional clothing worn by indigenous women. Approximately half of its residents are current-day Mayans, many of whom live in and around intact forests containing some of the best-preserved ancient Mayan temples and ruins in the world.

During our workshop, we will visit ten protected areas that use diverse conservation strategies: national parks, private reserves, municipal parks, communal protected areas, archaeological sites, and others protected through local incentives. We will meet with conservation colleagues to discuss their programs, concerns, successes and challenges. We will contribute to local conservation by sharing our own knowledge and experience with our hosts, offering support to the organizations we visit, and developing long-lasting conservation alliances.Active participation and dialogue among attendees will be encouraged.

Highlights of the 10-day workshop include visits to, and discussion about:

• Motagua River Valley thornscrub
• Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge
• Sierra de las Minas cloud forest
• Three Mayan archaeological sites, including Tikal National Park/World Heritage Site
• El Paraiso hot springs
• Ixobel Farm pine forest and limestone caves
• Lake Atitlan and San Pedro Volcano Park

Our Guatemalan trip leader is Jorge Cardona.  He is the Project Manager for The Nature Conservancy, working with a variety of local organizations to establish and manage protected areas in Guatemala.  Previously, Jorge worked with Fundacion Defensores de la Naturaleza as the Director of the Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge. 

Cost of the 11-day trip, not including international airfare:  $2,075**.   Includes:  all meals, lodging, guides, entry fees, and transportation within Guatemala (including one plane flight), associated with the scheduled trip itinerary.   Does not include airfare between your home and Guatemala City, airport or other taxes, ground transportation prior to arrival in Guatemala, tips, or alcoholic beverages.  Cost is based on double occupancy; single room requests will be at additional cost. 

**We reserve the right to change the trip cost (before or after sign-up) due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances, Reasons might include small group size or currency fluctuations (trip is contingent on sufficient enrollment).  We will, however, do our best to avoid increasing costs after receipt of your deposit.

Registration

 To sign up or for more information, please contact trip coordinator Abi Rome at abirome@earthlink.net or 301-608-8094; or contact the NAA at mail@naturalarea.org. You will be sent a Registration and Information form, as well as other trip information. A $500 deposit* (check) payable to The Natural Areas Association is required when you send in your Registration Form. You will be invoiced for the balance of the trip cost, which is due no later than January 8, 2007. Space is limited, so early sign-up is recommended.

Note:  All participants must be current NAA members.  For information on how to become a member, contact the NAA at mail@naturalarea.org, or go to www.naturalarea.org.

*Cancellations and Refunds: if you cancel before the departure date, your money will be refunded, less the cancellation fees as follows:

Days Prior to Departure                  Fee

90 or more                               $300

60-89                                    30% of trip cost

45-59                                    75% of trip cost

less than 45 days                       100% of trip cost