Guatemala

Planting a tree

Guatemala launches historic rewilding of oil fields to protect the Maya Forest

By / / Good News For Humankind

Guatemala has launched a historic rewilding initiative by permanently closing the Xan oil field inside Laguna del Tigre National Park. This decision protects a massive ecosystem spanning approximately 827,000 acres, which is critical for jaguars and migratory birds. Instead of dismantling the site entirely, the government is repurposing the industrial infrastructure into a security base for rangers to fight illegal deforestation. This innovative “oil-to-wilderness” transition prioritizes ecological recovery and water security, setting a new global standard for retiring fossil fuel assets in protected areas.

Nine nations commit to recognizing 395 million acres of Indigenous land by 2030

By / / Good News For Humankind

A landmark international coalition has committed to formally recognizing 395 million acres of Indigenous and traditional community lands worldwide. The nine countries making this pledge are Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Gabon, Guatemala, the Republic of Congo, Peru, and Venezuela. This massive commitment to land tenure security empowers millions of Indigenous and local people to be the primary stewards of their ancestral territories, ensuring the permanent protection of globally vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots.

Oil rig at sunset

Guatemala closes massive oil field

By / / Good News For Humankind

Guatemala has permanently closed the Xan oil field in Laguna del Tigre National Park, marking a major shift from fossil fuel extraction to forest protection. The site, once responsible for nearly 90% of the country’s oil production, will now serve as a security base to curb illegal logging, ranching, and trafficking in the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Conservation groups and local communities have welcomed the move, while the government is also investing in renewable energy and new conservation funds. The closure signals hope for safeguarding biodiversity, cultural heritage, and community resilience across Central America’s largest tropical forest.

Rainforest

Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize to protect 14 million acres of Mayan forest

By / / Good News For Humankind

Leaders from Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize have unveiled formal plans to establish the Great Mayan Jungle Biocultural Corridor, a transnational conservation initiative spanning over 14 million acres of tropical forest. This corridor will become the second-largest protected area in the Americas, following only the Amazon. The initiative aims to combat deforestation, illegal logging, and organized crime by integrating strong security measures with community-led conservation efforts. A governing council comprising environmental and Indigenous representatives will oversee development projects within the reserve, ensuring they align with ecological and cultural preservation goals.