MAR Leaders
This former project supported the program, which encourages communities to work together to protect the Mesoamerican Reef and utilise the region’s natural resources in a sustainable manner.
Objective
Extending 600 miles along the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, the Mesoamerican Reef faces threats as a result of human activity including over-fishing, climate change, shipping and tourism development. The Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) Leadership Program is an initiative focused on providing emerging conservation leaders with the necessary skills to implement innovative projects that will contribute to the health and ecological sustainability of the Mesoamerican Reef.
The program encourages communities to work together, across borders, to protect the reef and utilize the region’s natural resources in a sustainable manner. The program works with young leaders from Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras to assist them to actualize projects that encourage the sustainable use and conservation of the region.
Impact
TreadRight provided the resources that enabled the MAR Leadership Program to invest in its MAR Fellows. Fellows were chosen because of their innovative project ideas aimed to benefit the Mesoamerican Reef and improve management of its natural resources.
The MAR Fellows were taken through the MAR Leadership training program, then tasked with developing a business plan or project proposal that aimed to protect the Mesoamerican Reef. MAR Fellows received leadership training in strategic communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and fundraising, preparing them to implement innovative conservation projects.
UN GLOBAL GOALS
This project teaches youth the knowledge and skills required to pursue careers in conservation. Funding from TreadRight empowered these leaders to participate in the program regardless of their economic status. Their business plan takes into consideration climate change impacts to the Mesoamerican Reef as a vital ecosystem within marine life.
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