ACAC

The Program provides direct economic and social benefits to participating Ejidos, with nine involved in Phase 1 and four more expected to join in Phase 2. It fosters sustainable development and long-term forest conservation by aligning financial incentives, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive governance. Through conservation payments, employment creation, and support for regenerative agriculture and non-timber forest products, Ejidos gain new economic opportunities while protecting their natural resources. Investments in social infrastructure and gender equity further enhance community resilience and promote equitable participation.

Key Community Outcomes:

• Conservation Incentives: Annual payments to Ejidos that maintain forest cover and fulfill conservation agreements

• Livelihood Diversification: Development of non-timber forest products such as honey and resins, alongside eco-tourism and regenerative agriculture

• Employment Creation: Local jobs in forest protection, monitoring, and restoration that strengthen economic stability

• Capacity Building: Training in governance, conservation, and agroforestry to enhance community leadership and technical skills

• Social Infrastructure: Investments in community assets and education to support long-term well-being

• Gender Inclusion: Promotes women’s participation in leadership, decision-making, and benefit-sharing

By linking forest protection with tangible social and economic rewards, the Program builds lasting community prosperity and resilience.

The Program safeguards one of the most biodiverse regions in Mexico and a vital link within the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. It protects critical habitats for threatened species and maintains ecological connectivity across the Yucatán Peninsula.

Key Biodiversity Outcomes:

• Habitat Protection: Conserves tropical and semi-evergreen forests that support over 60,000 species, including 160 listed as endangered

• Flagship Species: Preserves habitat for jaguar, Baird’s tapir, Geoffroy’s spider monkey, and the Yucatán black howler monkey

• Ecosystem Restoration: Maintains water sources and riparian zones, restoring degraded areas and improving soil and hydrological stability

• Community Patrols: Supports local teams to prevent poaching, illegal logging, and fire damage

• Connectivity: Strengthens forest corridors between the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and adjacent protected areas

These activities maintain ecosystem balance, protect endangered wildlife, and preserve essential environmental services for future generations.

The Calakmul Community Conservation Program operates within the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Campeche, Mexico. The program is implemented by Amigos de Calakmul A.C. (ACAC), with technical support from Terra Global Capital and the participation of local Ejidos that voluntarily conserve their forests.

• ACAC: Leads overall project coordination and design, engages Ejidos, facilitates stakeholder dialogues, and manages on-the-ground implementation and conservation payments

• Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CONANP): Provides protected area governance, biodiversity conservation oversight, and coordination with community and government stakeholders

• Ejidos: Serve as landowners and local partners, formally joining the program to conserve their forests, participate in governance, and benefit from sustainable livelihood initiatives

• Terra Global: Provides technical expertise in greenhouse gas quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verification for carbon asset development under market standards. Terra structures and provides climate finance, supports ongoing program management, and commercializes verified emission reductions/removals