Conservation and Development

The area of the Chelemhá cloud forest reserve was owned by a coffee producer until 1997. The land was purchased by conservationists and efforts began towards the official protection of the reserve.


Several studies on flora and fauna were the basis on which the land was oficially included in the Guatemalan system of protected areas.


Conservation activities focus currently on the following components:

• Reforestation
• Alternatives to slash-and-burn
• Add value to the primary cloud forest
• Environmental education
• Scientific studies
• Land purchase