Mesoamerica & Western Caribbean

Only 0.5 percent of the world's land surface, Mesoamerica is home to about seven percent of the planet's biological diversity. This rich landscape historically served as a land bridge linking North and South America's fauna and flora. This region also includes some of the planet’s most important coral reefs, mangroves, freshwater systems, coastal wetlands, and island ecosystems, all of which sustain exceptional wildlife and millions of people. In Mesoamerica and the Western Caribbean, natural and cultural heritage overlap, with numerous community and indigenous protected areas, the vestiges of ancient civilizations, and a number of World Heritage sites.

Challenges

Mesoamerica and the Western Caribbean face mounting and interconnected pressures. On the terrestrial side, forests are being fragmented and degraded by illegal cattle ranching, land grabbing, wildfire, and other threats that undermine both protected areas and ecological connectivity. At the same time, deeper structural challenges, including organized crime, violence, insecure land tenure, limited economic opportunity, and climate change, are increasing human vulnerability and intensifying pressure on the region’s remaining forests.

Coastal and marine ecosystems face parallel threats. Illegal and unsustainable fishing, wildlife trafficking, habitat destruction, and land-based pollution are degrading reefs, mangroves, fisheries, and coastal wetlands. Climate change is compounding these pressures through rising sea temperatures, sea-level rise, and more intense storms and hurricanes, with direct consequences for coastal communities, food security, and biodiversity.

Our Goal

Conserve and restore the forests and marine ecosystems that sustain Mesoamerica and the Western Caribbean’s extraordinary biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and human wellbeing

How Will We Get There?

Our strategies include:

Conserving the Five Great Forests of Mesoamerica and priority coastal and marine ecosystems by strengthening protection, management, and long-term stewardship.
Supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities as conservation leaders through rights-based, locally grounded approaches.
Tackling the main drivers of biodiversity loss, including illegal cattle ranching, land grabbing, wildfire, wildlife trafficking, and illegal or unsustainable fishing.
Restoring degraded forests, mangroves, reefs, and other critical ecosystems while promoting sustainable livelihoods that benefit both people and nature.
Using advanced technology, science, and monitoring to guide decisions, improve management, and measure impact.
Advancing transboundary conservation, public policy, and strategic partnerships to scale conservation across the region.