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Institute
for Ecological Tourism
Department of Natural
Resources Planning &
Interpretation Humboldt State University, Arcata, California Ecotourism & Sustainable Development in Guatemala - A Guided Tour |
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Resplendent quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala, originally ranged
over much of the highlands cloud forest habitat encompassing an area of
20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Today,
less than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) remain and the quetzal could
become extinct in the early part of the next century.
Mario Dary, a pioneer Guatemalan conservationist, stated in 1977 that: "...much of Central America will be reduced to desert in the next few decades and millions of people will face starvation unless present rates of destruction can be slowed." As a symbol of conservation, the quetzal has become the focal point along with other endangered species and their habitat, for developing sustainable economies through ecotourism, agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, and value-added forest products. This guided tour presents an example of some of the ecotourism and sustainable develop projects designed to protect and conserve natural resources. Ecotourism & Sustainable Development in Guatemala - A Guided Tour
For more information contact: Michael Sweeney, Director Institute for Ecological Tourism,
NRPI phone: 707/826-4147
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