By Sofia Fernandez, Field Biologist, Guatemala

In early 2023, passing through a hard time personally and trying to find my way back to the biology field, I stumbled upon a hidden gem in southern Guatemala, the community of La Bendición, thanks to applying to a job as a researcher assistant.

True to its name, this place felt like a blessing from the moment I arrived. Not only was it my first fieldwork experience as a biologist since graduation, something I’d been yearning for, but it was also a magical place, where every detail, from the warmth and kindness of its people to the rare species I encountered, left me in awe. Every moment I’ve spent here has marked my life in ways I never imagined.

 La Bendición is a community made up of about 80 families, most of whom were displaced during Guatemala’s internal conflict from the 1960s to 1996. During those turbulent years, for reasons of safety and the lack of resources, many families abandoned their homes in the departments of San Marcos and Huehuetenango. When the conflict ended and they returned, they found their lands and homes were gone, leaving them no choice but to seek new opportunities. 

In their search, they came across a coffee plantation that was owned by the Guatemalan government. The government was willing to sell it to the displaced families if they formed a committee. And so, 120 families came together and created ECA La Bendición, an Indigenous group, mostly of Maya Mam origin. They reached an agreement with the government to purchase the land at a discounted rate in exchange for conserving the 411 hectares of forest on the property, which was transformed into a private protected area.

 For the past 24 years, these families have built their lives in La Bendición, despite the challenging climate that led some to leave during the early years. Today, 80 families remain, making their living through agriculture and selling artisanal products like honey and natural medicines. Since 2023, we’ve been working together on various projects, including mammal monitoring, creating natural medicine recipes, and identifying bird species. 

What stands out most about La Bendición is the deep ancestral knowledge that has guided their sustainable way of life – how they started to observe mammals and birds and create a list of existing animals for community knowledge. Their commitment to preserving the forest has fostered a strong environmental awareness that’s rare to find in other parts of Guatemala. Their holistic view of the forest and its benefits is truly inspiring.

 “I wish more people would learn from this, so we can protect our forests, our flora, and our fauna... If we take care of the forest, there’s oxygen, there’s water, and there are animals too,” says Francisco Tintí, a community member. 

This conservation mindset was further strengthened with the project we started last year, where we introduced them to birdwatching techniques and the use of camera traps for monitoring mammals. The results of these efforts have fueled their motivation to learn more and protect their forest even better. They’ve come to realize that a well-preserved forest is not only a national example but also offers invaluable ecosystem services to their communal lands.

“We know there are animals in the mountains, in the forest deer, wild pigs, many animals but if they’re not documented, we can’t prove it to others,” adds Francisco Tintí, a community leader. 

After nearly two years of working closely with this community, my gratitude runs deep, both personally and professionally. The conservation team quickly became like family to me. From my boss and field partner to every resident who greets me as I enter the community, they are all crucial links in the chain of strength that drives the success of this project and many more to come. 

Every resident of La Bendición plays a part in making the community what it is today: a shining example of living in harmony and balance with natural resources. There’s so much we can learn from them and their history, a history that whispers through every corner of the forest.