FINAL REPORT
 
JULY 2016-JUNE 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
  IMPROVED COASTAL WATERSHEDS AND
 
 
LIVELIHOODS PROJECT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  JUNE 30, 2019
 
  This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International
  Development. It was prepared by IUCN.
 
   
 ICWL Final Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................ 3 
1.  PROJECT OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................... 4 
2.  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... 6 
3.  DESCRIPTION OF MAIN RESULTS ..................................................................................... 11 
I.  Natural Ecosystems and Biodiversity Protected and Restored Through Climate‐Smart 
Approaches (ER1) ................................................................................................................ 11 
II.  Sustainability of Rural Livelihood Systems Improved Through Climate‐Smart 
Approaches (ER2) ................................................................................................................ 30 
III.  Effectiveness and Integration of “Source‐to‐sea” Watershed Governance Improved 
(ER3) .................................................................................................................................... 37 
IV.  Crosscutting Issues ...................................................................................................... 44 
4.  INDICATORS ..................................................................................................................... 49 
5.  ANNEXES: SUCCESS AND LEARNING STORIES ................................................................. 50 
 

2 
 ICWL Final Report

ACRONYMS

ADESCO Community Development Association, El Salvador

AGRACC Roundtable for Environment, Risk Management and Climate
Change, Honduras
AMH/E Chismuyo Chismuyo Bay Species and Habitat Management Area
ASINORLU Inter-Municipal Association of the North of La Unión
AVE Adaptation, Vulnerability and Ecosystems Project
BRIDGE Building River Dialogue and Governance – Mesoamerican Project
CDMYPE Center for the Development of Micro and Small Enterprises
CENDEPESCA Directorate General for Agriculture and Fisheries, El Salvador
CENTA National Center for Agricultural, Livestock and Forest Technology
CEPIS Pan-American Center for Sanitary Engineering and Environmental
Sciences
CLA Community Learning Activities
COAL Local Advisory Committee, El Salvador
COCOCO Community Consultative Committees, Honduras
CODDEFFAGOLF Committee for Defense and Development of Flora and Fauna of the
Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras
SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
CREHO Ramsar Regional Center for Training and Research for the
Western Hemisphere
DIGEPESCA Directorate-General for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Honduras
DPI National Police Forces, Honduras
ER Expected Result
FEMA Office of the Special Prosecutor for the Environment, Honduras
FIAES Initiative of the Americas Fund El Salvador
FONAES El Salvador’s Environmental Fund
FUNDER Foundation for Rural Enterprise Development, Honduras
FUNSALPRODESE Salvadoran Foundation for Social Promotion and Economic
Development
ICF Institute for Conservation and Forest Development, Protected
Areas and Wild Life, Honduras
ICMARES Marine Science Institute of the National University of El Salvador
ICWL Improved Coastal Watersheds and Livelihoods Project
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
MAG Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, El Salvador
MARN Environment & Natural Resources Ministry, El Salvador
MiAmbiente State Secretary of Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and
Mining, Honduras
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
PAHO Pan American Health Organization
PDLS Fonseca Gulf Local Sustainable Development Plan, El Salvador
PLAS Local Plan for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
ROLA Local Environmental Observers Network
SAG Agriculture and Livestock Secretariat, Honduras
SAPZsurH Honduran Gulf of Fonseca Protected Areas Sub System
UAMs/UMAs Municipal Environmental Units
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
USAID U.S. Agency for International Development 

3 
 ICWL Final Report

1. PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Improved Coastal Watershed and Livelihoods (ICWL) project was implemented
by IUCN between 2016 and 2019, in partnership with the Committee for Defense and
Development of Flora and Fauna in the Gulf of Fonseca (CODDEFFAGOLF), the Foundation
for Rural Enterprise Development (FUNDER), and the Salvadoran Foundation for Social
Promotion and Rural Development (FUNSALPRODESE) to improve biodiversity conservation
in the lower watershed and coastal zones of the Goascorán River in the gulf of Fonseca.

USAID awarded IUCN a USD 3.7-million grant for the implementation of activities in the
following municipalities: La Unión, Pasaquina, San Alejo, El Sauce and Concepción de Oriente
in El Salvador; and Nacaome, Alianza, Goascorán, Aramecina, Amapala and Caridad in
Honduras. The project focused on two coastal-marine areas: Union Bay in El Salvador and
Chismuyo Bay in Honduras.

The ICWL project worked towards three

expected results:
1) Natural ecosystems and biodiversity
protected and restored through climate-
smart approaches;
2) Sustainability of rural livelihood systems
improved through climate-smart
approaches;
3) Effectiveness and integration of “source-
to-sea” watershed governance improved.
A fourth result was included as a transversal
outcome to reduce climate vulnerability of
coastal and watershed communities through
an adaptation-based mitigation approach.

Other crosscutting activities targeted

Gender and youth, Knowledge management
and Communication and outreach.

ICWL intervention area

Between 2011 and 2019, IUCN implemented four projects in the Goascorán basin to promote
integrated watershed management. With the Building River Dialog and Water
Governance (BRIDGE) project, work was conducted with local stakeholders to establish
multi-stakeholder grassroots platforms, cross-border technical coordination and joint planning
and organizational strengthening. Training was provided to national authorities and local
leaders on integrated water management, international water law, cooperation and consensus
building. Local stakeholders in Honduras and El Salvador agreed on a roadmap to legalize and
strengthen national water management bodies that are part of the Bi-national Watershed
Management Group, in order to enforce trans-boundary cooperation commitments.

4 
 ICWL Final Report

With the Community-Based Watershed Management Program (PGCC) funded by

the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), experiences with multi-level
water governance processes were strengthened in Honduras, fostering the creation and
strengthening of community-based watershed management structures that coordinate with
relevant authorities. In addition, a participatory approach to prioritize investment in
technology related to adaptation to climate change and disaster risk reduction was adopted
among farmers.

The Adaptation, Vulnerability and Ecosystems (AVE) project looked to improve the
resilience of local communities to climate change by piloting local adaptation measures to cope
with the effects of drought in two specific micro basins (Honduritas in El Salvador and Lituy in
Honduras). The project also contributed to national efforts in fulfilling commitments acquired
as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the
National Strategy on Climate Change, and the General Water Law, among others. It also
generated monitoring tools based on concrete and reliable evidence related to the
effectiveness and multiple benefits of ecosystem-based adaptation.

The ICWL project complemented the processes initiated by these previous projects by
focusing – for the first time – on the conservation of coastal ecosystems. It also implemented
an innovative livelihoods enhancement strategy by harnessing community microfinance
mechanisms to promote better production practices and increased income with biodiversity
conservation.

Projects implemented by the IUCN and implementing partners in the Goascorán watershed
Funding Total project Implemen-
Project Title / Countries Local Partners
agency budget (USD) tation period
Building River Dialog and Swiss Agency Phase I: Phase I:
Water Governance for USD 3.171.450 2011-2013
(BRIDGE) Development Phase II: Phase II:
Fundación Vida
Mexico, Guatemala, and USD 3.476.320 2013-2015
Honduras, El Salvador, Cooperation. Phase III: Phase III:
Costa Rica and Panama (SDC) USD 4.857.610 2016-2018
Adaptation, vulnerability
and Ecosystems (AVE) BMU
International
Fundación Vida USD 5,685,800 2014-2018
Mexico, Guatemala, Climate
Honduras, El Salvador, Initiative (IKI)
Costa Rica and Panama
Community-Based
FUNDER
Watershed Management
IDE SDC USD 8,199,208 2015-2018
Program (PGCC)
RAIN
Honduras
Improved Coastal United States
Watershed and FUNDER Agency for
Livelihoods Project CODDEFFAGOLF International USD 3,727,685 2016-2019
(ICWL) FUNSALPRODESE Development
El Salvador, Honduras (USAID)
 

5 
 ICWL Final Report

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Biodiversity — the variety of life on Earth — is being lost at increasing and alarming rates. To
date, this has been treated as an environmental problem. Yet the so-called biodiversity crisis is
also a development crisis. Biodiversity loss threatens to undermine hard-won development gains,
including in health, resilience, food security and GDP earnings. Poor people are particularly
dependent on biodiversity — both to meet day-to-day livelihood needs and to enhance resilience
to climate change and other threats. So they are hardest hit by its loss, especially when coupled
with climate change.

Dilys, R., Seddon, N., Elliott, J., IIED Briefing: Biodiversity loss, development crisis?

A recent report published by the International Institute for Environment and Development
(IIED)1 showed that the accelerated loss of biodiversity can no longer be considered a mere
conservation issue. As biodiversity is depleted, ecosystems lose their ability to provide goods
and services on which humans depend, and become increasingly vulnerable to climate change.
The situation is even more alarming in developing countries, where low-income communities
are directly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods and to withstand the effects
extreme climate events. Development organizations must therefore implement strategies that
address the drivers of biodiversity loss and recognize nature’s wealth as a crucial capital for
sustainable socio-economic progress.

This final report presents the work carried out under the improved Coastal Watersheds and
Livelihoods project to protect and conserve coastal ecosystems in the lower Goascorán
Watershed and ensure that local communities benefit from increased income while reducing
threats to biodiversity. These efforts focused primarily on the conservation of mangroves as
biologically significant ecosystems, and the fisheries they support. It tackled the threats to
these ecosystems with a Reef-to-Ridge approach, striving to understand and address the
drivers of biodiversity loss stemming from the upper, middle and lower watershed, and
implementing actions to protect and conserve coastal areas. This allowed achieving four
Expected Results (ERs):
 ER1 Natural ecosystems and biodiversity protected and restored through climate-
smart approaches
 ER2 Sustainability of rural livelihood systems improved through climate-smart
approaches
 ER3 Effectiveness and integration of “source to sea” watershed governance improved
 ER4 Reduction of coastal and watershed communities’ climate vulnerability through
adaptation-based mitigation approach

In addition to addressing climate vulnerability across all expected results, other crosscutting
efforts focused on gender and youth, knowledge management, and communication and
outreach also allowed ensuring that the project reached targets set in terms of social inclusion,
capacity building and awareness.

Under ER1, the ICWL project achieved a significant improvement of the management
effectiveness of the Chismuyo Bay Species and Habitat Management Area (AMH/E Chismuyo)
in Honduras and the mangrove forests of La Unión Bay in El Salvador, for a total of 37,000
hectares under improved management.

                                                            
1
 Dilys, R., Seddon, N., Elliott, J. (2019). ¿Biodiversity Loss, development crisis?. Biodiversity loss is a development issue:
a rapid review of evidence. [Issue Paper]. IIED, London 

6 
 ICWL Final Report

In Honduras, the Chismuyo Bay Co-Management Agreement was renewed in November 2017
for another five years, establishing continued cooperation between implementing partner
CODDEFFAGOLF, the Institute for Conservation and Forest Development (ICF) and
Municipalities. The first AMH/E Chismuyo Biennial Operative Plan, Protection and Monitoring
Plan and Scientific Research Program were approved as operative tools to improve natural
resources management and environmental legislation enforcement.

Several institutions involved in the Chismuyo protected area management were strengthened.
At community level, three Community Consultative Committees (COCOCOs) were created
and recognized by authorities to ensure public participation to environmental good
governance. At institutional level, the Valle Department Inter-institutional Task Force against
Environmental Infringement was created to coordinate law enforcement institutions and civil
society efforts in monitoring human activities.

In El Salvador, results were achieved at various levels as well. The Coordination Committee to
the Gulf of Fonseca Conservation Area Local Sustainable Development Plan (PDLS) was
created and recognized by the Environment & Natural Resources Ministry (MARN). The
Coordination Committee will follow up on the implementation of the PDLS across 14
municipalities, ensuring the conservation of mangroves, fisheries, fresh water, among other
prioritized conservation targets.

At community level, the Barrancones Local Plan for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
(PLAS) Committee was created and supported in submitting their comments on the PLAS to
MARN’s natural area management direction. This participative process ensured the plan was
fully understood and accepted by the community and thus facilitates its effective
implementation. The Barrancones PLAS is the first one established in the Gulf of Fonseca
Conservation Area as a local instrument ensuring the sustainable extraction of fish and
seashells as well as the conservation of mangrove forests.

Another key achievement of the ICWL project under ER1 the design and implementation of a
terrestrial and marine biological monitoring protocols that allowed producing reliable and
trusted scientific information about the health of coastal-marine ecosystems and selected
species of fauna in La Unión and Chismuyo bays. Results show that mangroves in the area are
still fairly well conserved, as indicated by a healthy, stable population of crocodiles. Yet the
scares presence of large mammal predators, the low abundance of mollusks and crabs of
commercial value and the poor quality of water in estuaries call for additional efforts to
protect these ecosystems and regulate human activities. Local implementing partners and
institutions’ capacities were built with training and equipment, which allowed them to translate
these protocols into local monitoring systems and continue biological monitoring activities to
complement the data baseline and further inform decision-making.

In terms of ecosystem restoration, combined efforts of implementing partners and local

communities have allowed reforesting a total of 129.5 hectares of mangrove in La Unión and
Chismuyo bays. This activity contributes to climate change mitigation, biodiversity
conservation and local communities’ resilience and livelihoods preservation. If these areas are
protected over the next 2-5 years, they have the capacity to sequester 8806 tons of
CO2equivalent. Community groups and local authorities were supported in including
mangrove protection into local management plans, in order to ensure that environmental
legislations are enforced locally.

Community microfinance associations have been promoted in Honduras for over two decades,
as an effective strategy to foster savings habits and provide access to credit for communities

7 
 ICWL Final Report

with no access to the formal banking system. Under ER2, it was harnessed to enhance
biodiversity conservation and foster environmental awareness, by including an environmental
education component to the capacity building process, promoting sustainable fishing and
agricultural practices and ensuring communities adopt an environmentally responsible behavior
by signing a collective performance agreement that includes environmental commitments.

 
Fishermen of Amapala, Honduras

The ICWL project organized 716 farmers and fishermen in 31 community microfinance
associations, which have seen a total increase in capital of USD 227,227, thanks to members’
savings, fees, interests generated by loans and income generated by sales performed by the
association. Another USD 77,800 was awarded to microfinance association as seed funding to
leverage investments and loans, thus creating business opportunities and jobs. As result of
technical assistance for improved productive practices and access to market, farmers and
fishermen sales brought by a total gross income of USD 827,715.

Under ER3, the ICWL project promoted the source-to-sea approach as an integrated
watershed governance best-practice, stressing the interrelation between all levels of the
Goascorán basin. Cross-border events provided a space for dialogue and coordinate action to
improve watershed conservation, with a special emphasis on solid waste management, which
was identified as one of the most pressing environmental crisis in the watershed. Indeed, a
study carried out by the ICWL project showed that plastics compose 22% of household solid
waste produced in the area, approximately twice the average rate for Latino America and the
Caribbean’s. Municipal waste collection and disposal systems show critical deficiencies in terms
of coverage and technical capacity. As a result, thousands of tons of solid waste, especially
plastics, end up open fields, rivers and eventually estuaries and the see, posing a great threat to
biodiversity and ecosystems.

Besides, collection of local people’s testimonies and visits to the river channel locally known to
clog each year allowed documenting seasonal blockage of water flow by a mixture of solid
waste and organic debris during the rainy season and excessive sedimentation during dry
season, thus greatly affecting water flow and local livelihoods. To address this issue, the ICWL
project introduced plastic management among fishers and farmers, safer use of pesticides and
their containers and properly disposed of more than 200lbs of agrochemical plastic containers.

8 
 ICWL Final Report

Goascorán River, August 2017 Goascorán River, March 2018

To ensure that livelihoods and conservation enhancement are supported by legal instruments,
the ICWL project supported Municipal Environmental Units and community governance
structures in improving local decision-making and environmental management. Sustainable
productive practices, waste management, biodiversity conservation and other environmental
priorities were streamlined into municipal ordinances and community governance structures
status. Overall, 14 legal instruments were proposed, of which 3 were adopted and 6
implemented to improve environmental governance in the project area.

Mangrove’s capacity to store carbon, especially in soil, is up to four times higher than other
types of forest. Protecting and restoring mangrove thus is a powerful way of using nature to
mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce communities’ vulnerability. Within the ICWL,
this was combined with efforts to improve agricultural and fishing practices to reduce threats
to ecosystems and lower climate impact, and provide access to credit for alternative
livelihoods, offering local communities additional tools to face climate challenges. Women and
youth’s participation was promoted in all project activities to ensure equal access to decision-
making and income, and foster new leaderships.

 
FUNSALPRODESE's staff Herbert Alvarado explains the importance of mangrove ecosystems to children in Los
Jiotes, San Alejo, El Salvador

9 
 ICWL Final Report

Reduction of coastal communities’ vulnerability (ER4) through adaptation-based mitigation was

achieved through crosscutting interventions in all activities. In particular, reforesting 129.5
hectares of mangrove as part of ecosystem restoration efforts in La Unión and Chismuyo bays
have contributed to climate change mitigation, while helping communities adapt and increase
local communities’ resilience and livelihoods preservation. If these areas are kept protected,
they have the capacity to sequester 8,806 additional tons of CO2 equivalent in the next five
years A blue carbon study measuring the carbon stored in about 17,000ha of mangrove forests
calculated that 25 million tons of carbon equivalent are already sequestered in the soil and
trees of mangrove ecosystem of La Unión and Chismuyo bays. However, large quantities of
CO2 will be emitted if coastal ecosystems are altered by land-use changes (such as
deforestation, shrimp farming, and salt production).

According to USAID, all these expected results have contributed to USAID Mission goals of
enhancing local socioeconomic development, reducing illegal migration and strengthening self-
reliance capacities by providing communities with the development of a self-financing
mechanism of loans and savings (caja rural in Spanish), agro-business management training,
enhanced watershed governance capacity and significantly better management of coastal
resources and ecosystems. Likewise, the project has also effectively complied with the USAID
Biodiversity Policy, reducing threats to the rich coastal biodiversity in La Unión and Chismuyo
bays.

10 
 ICWL Final Report

3. DESCRIPTION OF MAIN RESULTS

I. Natural Ecosystems and Biodiversity Protected and Restored Through

Climate-Smart Approaches (ER1)

We are taking care of what is ours, taking care of what belongs to us, taking care of the future.
We thank USAID and CODDEFFAGOLF for everything they have done, because before we were
just a few boys and girls who new nothing. Now we are 25 voluntary park rangers eager to
work, observe. We have learned how to file complaints; we understand better what we have
and how to take care of it.

Jesus Alberto Ventura, young voluntary park ranger of Playa Grande, Honduras

Under ER1, the ICWL project enhanced the protection and restoration of 37,000 hectares of
biologically significant natural areas, including about 17,000ha of mangrove forest in La Unión
Bay (El Salvador) and Chismuyo Bay (Honduras) in the Goascorán coastal zones. Mangrove
protection was increased by updating relevant management plans, effectively coordinating
national institutions, local governments and community governance structures and establishing
an improved monitoring system to inform decision-making and strategic planning, in order to
create the local capacity to maintain these crucial ecosystems. Mangrove reforestation was also
carried out in both bays, which contributed to national forest restoration efforts. Thanks to
the implementation of a coastal blue carbon methodology, carbon stocks contained in
mangrove ecosystems of the Gulf of Fonseca were measured, thus demonstrating their great
climate change mitigation capacity.

 
Mangroves of La Unión and Chismuyo coastal zones cover approximately 17,000 hectares (pink areas on the map
above). In Honduras, mangroves of Chismuyo Bay are part of the Chismuyo Bay Species and Habitat Management
Area (AMH/E Chismuyo) and of the 1000th RAMSAR site. In El Salvador, mangroves of La Unión Bay they are a
prioritized conservation target of the Gulf of Fonseca Conservation Area.

11 
 ICWL Final Report

Conservation Area Management

Chismuyo Bay Species and Habitat Management Area

Thanks to the ICWL Project, the Chismuyo Bay Species and Habitat Management Area
(AMH/E Chismuyo) co-management entities CODDEFFAGOLF, the Honduran Institute for
Conservation and Forest Development, Protected Areas and Wildlife (ICF) and local
governments enhanced the protected area’s management effectiveness from 38% in 2017 to
79% in 2019. Management effectiveness assessments demonstrated great progress with the
design of management plans and other instruments which are implemented by institutions
under improved coordination; an enhanced co-management capacity, in particular thanks to
the creation and strengthening of Community Consultative Committees (COCOCOs); and
enhanced awareness thanks to coordinated efforts aimed to educate and engage communities
for environmental protection, with a focus on women and youth. More importantly, these
outcomes have a great replication potential, as CODDEFFAGOLF has the capacity and
mandate to replicate them in other areas of the Honduran Gulf of Fonseca Protected Areas
Sub System (SAPZsurH).

AMH/E Chismuyo Management Plans

The ICWL provided the convening, logistical and financial capacity to establish a number of
instruments that contribute to the enhanced management of the AMH/E Chismuyo. Firstly, on
November 9 2017, ICF, CODDEFFAGOLF and municipalities signed the renewal of the
AMH/E Chismuyo Co-Management Agreement for 2017-2022. The Agreement is the
main instrument regulating the operation and the coordination of all parties to ensure the
effective protection of Chismuyo Bay’s ecosystems.

Following the signature of the Co-Management Agreement, the first Chismuyo Bay Biennial
Operative Plan was approved for 2018 and 2019, to define prioritized actions and their
means of implementation to achieve the goals set out in the agreement. The plan was based on
recommendations emerging from the management effectiveness evaluation carried out in May
2017. It was drafted with the participation of community leaders of Community Consultative
Committees of Amapala, Nacaome and Alianza, ICF, UMAs, the SAPZsurH Technical Follow-
up Committee, CODDEFFAGOLF and FUNDER. The Operative Plan takes into consideration
the capacity and priorities of local stakeholders, in order to make its implementation
realistically achievable. It includes seven lines of actions: protection, management of natural
resources, community development, public use, environmental education, monitoring and
evaluation. Each stakeholder committed logistical, human and financial resources to guarantee
its effective implementation.

Several actions were then taken to implement the Operative Plan. On March 7 2018, the
Inter-institutional Valle Department Task Force against Environmental
Infringement (later referred as Task Force) was created to improve the protection and
monitoring of the Chismuyo Bay protected area, the Marine National Park and San Lorenzo
Bay. The Task Force includes eight members of six institutions: Armed Forces, Nacaome and
San Lorenzo’s Investigation Police Department, Honduras National Police, ICF and the Office
of the Special Prosecutor for the Environment (FEMA).

12 
 ICWL Final Report

 
The Task Force and COCOCOs agree on the coordination of a large clean-up campaign in mangrove areas of
Chismuyo Bay

At the same time, CODDEFFAGOLF established the first Chismuyo Bay Protection and
Monitoring Plan. It was designed in a participative manner, starting with a mapping exercise
and field trips with local communities to identify prioritized monitoring routes. The process
involved representatives of the Task Force, municipalities and COCOCOs. The Plan’s
objective is to reduce and mitigate threats affecting Chismuyo’s biodiversity and local
communities’ livelihoods by improving the coordination of public and civil society organizations
and planning actions to ensure the enforcement of environmental legislation. It also establishes
the allocation of human, material and financial resources.

Since then, the Task Force coordinates monitoring operations with the Directorate-General
for Fisheries and Aquaculture (DIGEPESCA), municipalities and CODDEFFAGOLF, which
allowed to control fishing activities legal compliance (such as the type fishing nets or extracted
bivalves size), confiscate illegal mangrove wood bundles and follow up on environmental
complaints by investigating alleged infringements (illegal salt extraction or shrimp farming
activities for instance). The increased and coordinated presence of park rangers and law
enforcement institutions in the area has already triggered positive behavioral changes, as some
fishermen are voluntarily changing their fishing gear to comply with legislations and avoid
confiscation. Other actions taken to improve management effectiveness included signposting:
22 signs were set up to identify the protected area’s boundaries and strategic sites.

The ICWL project also allowed CODDEFFAGOLF to establish the SAPZsurH Scientific
research program, on the basis of the biological monitoring protocol implemented in early
2018 (see section on Biological Monitoring below) and mangrove restoration activities. The
program includes protocols on mangrove restoration and monitoring, water quality, climatic
parameters and mollusks and crustaceans and involves active participation of local
communities.

The ICWL project also supported the inclusion of ten mangrove and dry forest monitoring
plots within ICF’s National Forest Inventory, five of which are located within Chismuyo
Bay. Four field trips were carried out by ICF between March and April 2018 and the final
forest inventory reports for Honduras’ Pacific Coast was handed. The report states that 60%
of forest sampling sites are affected by domestic-use logging (for firewood and construction).
Although the scale of this threat does not prevent forest regeneration in these sites, it
recommends logging should be closely monitored and further efforts must be made specifically
to assess impacts of logging for shrimp farming. The reports also states that the Honduran
National Forest Inventory should consider including systematic hypogeous carbon

13 
 ICWL Final Report

measurement (i.e. carbon stored in soils), as studies have shown that soils act as very efficient
carbon sequesters (including the ICWL blue carbon study presented hereafter).

Other institutional strengthening and coordinating actions taken thanks to the ICWL project
include the approbation of the Roundtable for Environment, Risk Management and Climate
Change (AGRACC) Roundtable Strategic Plan, the coordination of the SAPZsurH Technical
Follow-up Committee in their efforts to implement the SAPZsurH Management Plan and the
support to the Pacific Sub-Committee of the National Wetlands Committee in hosting their
general assembly and other events such as the National Mangrove Forum. All these efforts
contributed to enhanced coordination among institutions, knowledge exchange and best-
practices replication in the southern part of Honduras and at national level.

Community Consultative Comittees

 
CODDEFFAGOLF staffs Javier Velázquez and Víctor Bocanegra take COCOCO leaders on a journey to rediscover
the natural wealth of Chismuyo Bay. These experiences raise communities’ environmental awareness and foster a
feeling of natural resources ownership.

Community Consultative Committees (COCOCOs) are one of the most important

community governance structures contributing to the conservation of coastal biodiversity for
their role as co-management entities to the Chismuyo Bay protected area. Three COCOCOs
were officially created thanks to the ICWL project: El Conchal and El Estero in Alianza and
Chismuyo in Nacaome. All three COCOCOs were officially recognized by ICF’s Economic
Development Department and municipalities. Pre-existing Amapala’s COCOCO La Flor, on
the other hand, was involved in capacity building and other project activities as it is also
located in Chismuyo Bay.

The Chismuyo Bay COCOCOs now count with their Regulation on the Organization and
Operation, Action Plans and Management Board, which leaves them with the installed capacity
to operate and coordinate with other institutions. Strategic activities such as mangrove
protection and restoration, awareness raising and solid waste management were prioritized in
their Action Plans, taking into account the lines of action defined in the Chismuyo Biennial
Operative Plan. Other commitments were taken, including signposting on wildlife protection,
reporting any wildlife trafficking activity and key bird species sighting, especially parrots.

To ensure COCOCOs capacity to implement their action plan and progress towards self-
reliance, the ICWL project coordinated a series of activities to build COCOCO members’
awareness, knowledge, leadership and organizational capacity. Training topics included
organizational processes, participative planning, environmental, wildlife and protected areas

14 
 ICWL Final Report

legislation, environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, governance and public

participation.

Thanks to these efforts, the ICWL project achieved the effective participation of organized
communities to environmental decision-making and protected area management, as well as to
coordinate actions with government institutions. For instance, the coordination between
COCOCOs and the Task Force allowed enhancing environmental complaints processing by
improving the way environmental infringements are documented and reported by communities
and prioritizing monitoring routes within Chismuyo Bay to enforce environmental legislation. It
also allowed coordinated actions to improve solid waste management: after COCOCOs
helped mapping five sites heavily polluted with solid waste in Chismuyo Bay, ICF, municipalities,
and COCOCOs implemented a massive clean-up campaign, removing about 1 ton of solid
waste from 10 ha of mangrove.

As an unexpected result, COCOCOs took on a leading role during the climatic events that
affected southern Honduras in October 2018. After sustained heavy rains caused floods,
COCOCOs members voluntarily lead local rescue interventions, making use of the boat
purchased with ICWL funds and using their improved knowledge of the area to provide
support to flood victims. Although this is not the primary intended effect of community
governance capacity building activities, it shows that the project strengthens local leaders and
contributes to more organized and resilient communities.

ICWL’s experience with creating and strengthening COCOCOs leaves important lesson’s
learned in the hands of CODDEFFAGOLF and will allow them to replicate the experience in
other protected areas of the SAPZsurH.

 
El Conchal, El Estero and Chismuyo Bay COCOCOs are located in different locations of Chismuyo Bay

15 
 ICWL Final Report

Environmental Education and Awareness Raising

Increased awareness and knowledge is a first step towards behavior change. With this in mind,
the ICWL project promoted numerous capacity building and outreach activities in Chismuyo
Bay. Overall, 442 people were trained to ensure the awareness of environmental legislation
and existing threats to ecosystems, the implementation of management plans and improved
community organization and action. Gender balance was achieved with the participation of 154
women (48%) and including special capacity building activities on gender, feminism and new
masculinities. Women also demonstrated their physical ability to participate to environmental
conservation by leading hands-on activities such as mangrove reforestation and clean-up
campaigns.

Biodiversity conservation also requires a true change in attitudes. The next generation was
thus engaged with targeted activities, such as the design and implementation of the Chismuyo
Bay Environmental Education Plan by a group of young volunteers who designed ludic
and didactic materials, such as games and storybooks. Students were also involved as trainees
to contribute to the design of the Plan, as well as other instruments such as mollusks
monitoring protocols. In total 85 boys and 58 girls were involved in Chismuyo Bay.

The ICWL project bid farewell to Chismuyo Bay with a broad outreach campaign broadcasted
on local television channels and social networks, under the motto “Give Chismuyo a hand”
(Dale La Mano a Chismuyo). This last push for more responsible behaviors contributed to
increasing awareness of the crucial value of biodiversity and of coastal ecosystems, and build a
positive local identity linked to the riches of nature.

 
This infography was broadly disseminated by CODDEFFAGOLF to raise communities’ awareness of Chismuyo Bay’s
biodiversity

16 
 ICWL Final Report

Gulf of Fonseca Conservation Area

El Salvador’s National Territorial Planning and Development Plan identified 15 Conservation

Areas that contain the most important biological diversity and natural areas of national
importance. Six of these are located in coastal zones, covering almost 100% of the Pacific Rim.
One of them is the Gulf of Fonseca Conservation Area, which was the focus of the ICWL
intervention in the country.

The Gulf of Fonseca Conservation Area includes about 6,000 Ha2 of mangrove forest which
support local fisheries, as well as some of the last areas of conserved dry forest areas in the
country (Pasaquina’s morrales). Thanks to the ICWL project, the management effectiveness of
the Conservation Area’s mangrove forest and connecting ecosystems was improved, increasing
the average value of each indicator from 2.59 in 2017 to 3.68 in 2019. Several activities of the
ICWL project have contributed to enhance management plans and local capacity for their
implementation, park rangers’ knowledge, equipment and infrastructure for improved
monitoring, as well as environmental awareness and education.

Gulf of Fonseca Local Sustainable Development Plan (PDLS)

With the continued support of FUNSALPRODESE and FIAES and in coordination with MARN
the ICWL project established and strengthened the Gulf of Fonseca Conservation Area’s Local
Advisory Committee (COAL), as foreseen by Salvadoran Protected Natural Areas legislation.
The COAL acts as the Coordination Committee for the effective implementation of the
Fonseca Gulf Local Sustainable Development Plan (PDLS), with targets prioritized issues, such
as mangrove conservation, sustainable agriculture and fisheries, fresh water, among others in
14 municipalities. The COAL includes representatives of Municipalities, community leaders,
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) active in the area and relevant public institutions.

The COAL was officially recognized by MARN through a certificate of incorporation.

FUNSALPRODESE is represented within the Committee and will follow up on its operations
In order to ensure the COAL’s operative capacity, the ICWL project supported it in drafting
its first work plan and it was agreed that FIAES will allocate budget for the Committee’s
functioning in each project funded in the area over the next five years.

 
Following a request from the local community, the Gulf of Fonseca COAL assessed the environmental condition of
the Olomega Lagoon between Chirilagua, San Miguel and El Carmen, La Unión

                                                            
2
 According to a study carried out by ICMARES in 2016, mangrove cover amounts to 6,029.25 ha in La Unión Bay 

17 
 ICWL Final Report

Barrancones Local Plan for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources (PLAS)

The ICWL established the first Local Plan for the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources (PLAS)
Committee in the Gulf of Fonseca Conservation Area. For this pilot experience, Barrancones
in the Pasaquina municipality was chosen for its unique location both in the La Unión estuary
and on the Goascorán river bank. Barrancones’ PLAS includes actions to use coastal zones’
resources in a sustainable fashion, such as blue crabs, punches, bivalves, fish and mangrove.

A highly participative consultation process lead by FUNSALPRODESE ensured there is a

consensus among Barrancones community members about the Plan and that they understand
that each provision they agreed on has to be implemented. Special attention was given to the
participation of youth, as their fishing or extractive experience might differ from older
community members. Six women were also involved, as their experience with product
commercialization is valuable to inform effective planning. Barrancones community members
have submitted their comments on the PLAS to.

Thanks to this consultation process, MARN’s natural area management direction now counts
with a revised plan that includes information tailored for the local context and local use of
natural resources. Its final approbation of the PLAS is subject to MARN’s decision, which
remained pending due, due to the change of Government in El Salvador in June 2019. Once the
plan is approved, its implementation depends on appropriate coordination between MARN,
the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), the Directorate General for Agriculture and
Fisheries CENDEPESCA and the Barrancones PLAS committee.

Improved interpretation and monitoring infrastructures

The ICWL project allowed enhancing MARN’s interpretation center in Los Jiotes, San Alejo.
The center and its access were refurbished and equipped with sanitary installations. It now
features an exhibition with wildlife and livelihood pictures, glass cabinets to conserve a
collection of natural artefacts, informative signs and educative material.

 
View of the refurbished interpretation center in Los Jiotes, San Alejo

18 
 ICWL Final Report

In order to provide MARN park rangers with

easier access to La Unión Bay to carry out
monitoring rounds, the ICWL project also
refurbished a 418m-long elevated trail. The trail
also allows promoting tourism in the area and is
already attracting many visitors. It includes
interpretation signs, three platforms where
visitors can observe mangrove and wildlife and
one last platform that can be used as a peer by
park rangers and local fishermen during low tide
to access La Unión estuary’s main canal. MARN
park rangers were also equipped with a wooden
cabin in Barrancones, Pasaquina, where they can
safely store boat motors and other valuables.
The elevated trail in Los Jiotes provides allow
visitors to observe mangrove ecosystems

The elevated trail has brought by an unexpected

result: a rare species of bat was spotted in mangrove
surrounding the trail. The northern ghost bat
(Diclidurus albus) hadn’t been reported in the area
and has raised much interest from MARN.

Northern ghost bat (Diclidurus albus) specimen

spotted in Los Jiotes

Since the elevated trail is also used by workers of a salt farm to access the canal,
FUNSALPRODESE reached an agreement with them to ensure its maintenance overtime.

 
The final platform of the elevated trail offers a spectacular view over La Unión Bay

19 
 ICWL Final Report

Biological Monitoring

One of the key outcomes of the ICWL project under ER I is the implementation of a series of
biological monitoring protocols. Terrestrial, marine, blue carbon and crocodiles monitoring
activities allowed establishing a baseline of biological and physical parameters in the area to
inform environmental decision-making and future projects design in La Unión and Chismuyo
bays. Part of the strategy was to purchase equipment (camera traps, drones, GPSs, etc.) and to
build strong local capacities to allow for monitoring efforts to continue during and after the
ICWL project’s lifetime. Findings of biological monitoring efforts were interpreted and
presented in three infographic posters that were distributed among local beneficiaries as
environmental awareness materials. A solid waste study was also carried out in the lower and
middle watershed with the support of local authorities to determine the composition of
households waste disposed of in the area. A summary of the main findings of all these activities
is presented below.

Small and medium mammals and birds3

During a total of 720 camera-nights,

camera traps captured images and videos of
at least 70% of small and medium mammal
species known to live in the area, such as
coyotes (Canis latrans), jaguarundis (Puma
yagouaroundi), opossums (Didelphis
marsupialis), white tailed deers (Odocoileus 
virginianus), skunks (Spilogale angustifrons),
raccoons (Procyon lotor), anteaters
(Tamandua Mexicana) and rodents.

Camera trap shot of a jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroudi)

taken on January 27 2018

In order to carry out bird monitoring, park rangers and volunteers carried out sighting rounds
during early mornings between 5am and 8am and late afternoons between 5pm and 8pm,
which are the most active periods for most birds. Bird monitoring showed 67 bird species in
Honduras and 70 in El Salvador. Ardeidae was the most sighted family (herons, bitterns and
related species). Additionally, a number of shorebirds were sighted (Recurvirostridae,
Charadriidae, Scolopacidae families). Since these species feed on invertebrates found in healthy
marine shorelines, we believe these sightings indicate that Chismuyo Bay and La Unión Bay are
fairly healthy habitats.

Three species of significant value were sighted in the area of the Barrancones community, in
Pasaquina, El Salvador: the semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) and painted bunting
(Passerina ciris), both classified as near threatened and the yellow-naped parrot (Amazona
auropalliata), in the endangered category, according to IUCN (2017).

                                                            
3
  These activities were carried out by biologists Hector Portillo, Fausto Elvir and David Mejía, as well as MARN,
FUNSAPRODESE, ICF and CODDEFFAGOLF park rangers and IUCN staff.

20 
 ICWL Final Report

Mollusks and crustaceans4

Mollusk and crustacean monitoring efforts aimed to determine population density and
morphometric variables of bivalves commonly called curil and casco de burro in Spanish (Anadara
tuberculosa, A. similis and A. grandis) and mangrove ghost crab or punche in Spanish (Ucides
occidentalis), which are species of commercial value.

The length of extracted A. tuberculosa individuals (from 2.0 to 7.5 cm in la Unión and 2.0 to
6.5 cm in Chismuyo) is coherent with data gathered in other parts of El Salvador, such as
Jiquilisco Bay5. Nevertheless, they are small compared to data from other countries, such as in
the Costa Rican Pacific coast6. Sampling sites with the highest A. tuberculosa population density
in La Unión (up to 0.24 indiv/m2) show values similar to data reported in Jiquilisco Bay, while
population density per sampled area in Chismuyo (up to 0.75 indiv/m2) were higher than those
reported in El Salvador, which suggests that Bahía de Chismuyo is in better conditions.
Nevertheless, values remain lower compared to other places in the region such as Golfito Bay
in Costa Rica7, where average densities of 0.8 to 1.2 indiv/m2 are reported.

The length of extracted A. grandis individuals (from 2.1 to 11.0 cm in La Unión and 2.1 to 14.0
cm in Chismuyo) appears greater than those recorded in other parts of the American Pacific
such as Estero Ayalan, Ecuador. If these uncommon dimensions are not properly understood
and taken into consideration in management plans, a large number of individuals that haven’t
yet reached their reproductive size could be extracted, thus preventing species reproduction
and exhausting resources. On the other hand, A. grandis population density appeared to be
generally very low in La Unión (up to 0.072 indiv/m2) and Chismuyo (up to 0.58 indiv/m2).

In La Unión Bay, the average and maximum cephalothorax width of U. occidentalis varies
among sampling sites (up to 6.1 cm in La Unión and 4.0 to 8.0 in Chismuyo). The density of
individuals of U. occidentalis was very low in general in La Unión (up to 2.0 indiv/m2) and in
Chismuyo Bay (up to 1.2 indiv/m2). The average density per extraction sites recorded in
Jiquilisco Bay is much higher, with values between 2.9 to 5.26 indiv/m2.

In both bays and for all species, data show high abundance of individuals that haven’t yet
reached their reproductive size. In general, data suggest that if an extraction regulation is not
established, these resources could be quickly depleted. Further monitoring efforts are needed
to fully determine morphometric variables and population abundance and how these
parameters vary according to environmental conditions, but this baseline tends to confirm the
perception of local fishermen about the unplanned extraction of the resource, the risk that it
poses for livelihood sustainability and calls for improved fisheries regulatory framework,
additional efforts to foster environmental awareness and promote alternative livelihoods.

                                                            
4 These activities were carried out by the Marine Science Institute of the National University of El Salvador
(ICMARES-UES), with the support of ICF, CODDEFFAGOLF, FUNSALPRODESE and MARN park rangers and
IUCN staff.
5 Flores, A., Romero, J., Córdova, M. 2011 Evaluación de la población de “curil” (Anadara tuberculosa) en los

canales principales de Puerto Ramírez y el Jobal, Bahía de Jiquilisco, Usulután, El Salvador. Tesis de grado. Facultad
de Ciencias Naturales y Matemática. Universidad de El Salvador. El Salvador.
6 Silva A.M, R.C. Bonilla. 2001. Abundancia y morfometría de Anadara tuberculosa y A. similis (Mollusca: Bivalvia) en

el Manglar de Purruja, Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica. Rev. Biol.Trop. 49. Supl. 2: 315-32.
7 Silva A.M, R.C. Bonilla. 2001

21 
 ICWL Final Report

Crocodile monitoring8

A rapid evaluation of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) population was carried out in
La Unión Bay with the support of MARN park rangers and FUNSALPRODESE. Two rounds
were carried out on March 12-24 and August 5-12 2018, along five transects, for a total of
36km.

A total of 187 individuals were sighted over 19 nights.

The gross average number of individuals sighted varied
from 1.9 to 3.3 individuals per kilometer (ind/km) in
March and 1.2 to 4.4 ind/km in August. 68 individuals
were captured to measure morphologic parameters,
establish male and female density and assess their
physical condition (such as visible injuries, skin parasites,
low weight, and amount of fat around the neck and the
basis of the tail. The largest captured crocodile was a
217.5 cm-long female.

Crocodile monitoring was included in environmental

monitoring activities to respond to comments made by
community members about the frequency of crocodile
encounters in the area. Therefore, these efforts also
aimed to verify the veracity of a perceived
overpopulation of crocodilians. Contrary to the
IUCN official and consultants collect expressed perception, Crocodylus acutus estimated
biometric data of a crocodile captured in the sighting rates indicate a medium-sized, stable population
Goascorán River in the Barrancones area, El compared to other studies across its geographical
Salvador
distribution. In order to produce conclusive data,
monitoring rounds must be repeated over several years and take into account climatic, tidal,
lunar and other parameters. Nevertheless, this first effort is significant since there are no
recent scientific publications on crocodilian population in the area to the best of our
knowledge.

Water quality9

Between February and March 2018, IUCN tested physical-chemical and bacteriological
parameters in 18 sampling sites in La Unión and Chismuyo bays and two samplings sites in the
Goascorán river and the Nacaome river with the support of the Marine Science Institute of
the National University of El Salvador (ICMARES).

Physical-chemical parameters varied in both La Unión and Chismuyo bays. In general,

sampling sites located in more open areas of the bays and estuaries seemed to show greater
oxygenation thanks to wind action, while internal channels show greater turbidity because of
sedimentation.

                                                            
8
 These activities were carried out with the support of Armando Escobedo of Guadalajara University, Marco
Antonio López of Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco University, Gabriel Barrios, independent expert, FUNSALPRODESE
and MARN park rangers, as well as IUCN technical staff. 
9
 These activities were carried out by the Marine Science Institute of the National University of El Salvador
(ICMARES-UES), with the support of ICF, CODDEFFAGOLF, FUNSALPRODESE and MARN park rangers and
IUCN staff. 

22 
 ICWL Final Report

During sampling months, a bloom of Phaeocystis spp. was observed, which was reported by
locals as a recurrent situation in the Gulf of Fonseca. While its causes and effects remain
unknown, it appears that this algae absorbs oxygen as it dies, thus eutrophicating water10,
which could affects fish, mollusks, crustaceans and microorganisms that require minimum levels
of oxygen for their subsistence. A more permanent water monitoring is required to inform
environmental decision-making and regulatory efforts.

Bacteriological parameters were measured in water samples collected during high tide at
30cm depth in La Unión and Chismuyo bays, and in two sites in the Goascorán River and two
in the Nacaome River. Samplings were tested for Total coliforms, Escherichia coli and Vibrio
cholera.  Sampling sites in La Unión Bay showed constant high concentrations of Vibrios spp.,
Total and E. coli, which is related to high turbidity, sulfate concentration and, in some cases,
high nitrate concentration. In Chismuyo Bay, Vibrios spp. and Total coli concentrations showed
variations between February and March, which also appears related to nitrate concentration.  

In the lower part of the Goascorán River flowing into La Unión Bay and the lower part of the
Nacaome River flowing into Chismuyo Bay, water quality was rated regular-low according to
the methodology of the family-level biotic index, which indicates substantial organic pollution in
both areas, probably stemming from human settlements and agricultural activities such as cattle
farming.

Blue Carbon11

Blue carbon is the carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems, such as mangrove
forests, tidal marshes and seagrass meadows. It includes carbon sequestrated in biomass as
well as underground. Mangroves can stock up to four times more carbon as land forest, since
tidal activity lowers oxygen presence in mangrove forests, which interrupts the carbon cycle
and allows its storage into soil. IUCN and CREHO applied methodologies that were validated
at a global and regional level for the measurement of blue carbon in six transects in Chismuyo
and La Unión mangroves.

Epigeous carbon (above ground) is stored in living and dead trees, fallen wood and leaves,
and grass. It is measured on the basis of mangrove forest structure data12.

Hypogeous carbon (below ground) is measured in soil, roots and all underground biomass.
Soil samples were taken at 5 cm, 22.5 cm, 40 cm and 75 cm depths with a cylindrical auger.
Over 450 samples were collected and analyzed in a specialized lab.

Note that the units used below are understood as follows:

 MgC: Carbon megagram (or ton)
 MgC/ha: Carbon megagram (or ton) per hectare
 CO2e: Carbon dioxide emitted if mangrove is destroyed
 CO2e/ha: Carbon dioxide emitted per hectare if mangrove is destroyed
 MgCO2e/ha: Carbon dioxide megagram (or ton) per hectare

                                                            
10
 Values less than 5 ppm were recorded in water samples in February and March 2018. 
11
 These activities were carried out by the Ramsar Regional Center for Training and Research for the Western
Hemisphere (CREHO-RAMSAR), with the support of ICF, CODDEFFAGOLF, FUNSALPRODESE, ICMARES,
MARN and IUCN staff.
12
  Mangrove forest structure measurements were carried out along 125-meter transects subdivided in 6 7m-radius
parcels every 25m. Tree trunks were measured at human chest height and data was gathered about the quantity of
fallen dead wood and tree regeneration. 

23 
 ICWL Final Report

According land-use maps elaborated in 2014 by MARN and MiAmbiente through a REDD
CCAD GIZ project and CREHO’s multispectral analysis of satellite images taken by ESA’s
Sentinel on November 11 2017, mangrove forest covers approximately 4552.48 ha in La Unión
Bay and 12,488.52 ha in Chismuyo Bay.

According to ICWL measurements, average epigeous carbon in mangrove forests of La Unión

Bay represents only 12% of total blue carbon in this ecosystem, with 44.63 +/- 25.20 MgC/ha13.
Average hypogeous carbon represents 87%, with 311.069 +/- 120.05 MgC/ha. Average
epigeous carbon in mangrove forests of Chismuyo Bay is similar to La Unión Bay’s, with 45.22
+/- 18.60 MgC/ha. Average hypogeous carbon in Chismuyo represents 89%, with 377.89 +/-
60.47 MgC/ha, as shown in the table below.

Epigeous and hypogeous carbon (Mg/ha) bays per forest component:

La Unión Bay Chismuyo Bay
Average
Component MgCO2 e/ha Average (MgC/ha) MgCO2e/ha
(MgC/ha)
Living trees 38.28 140.49 39.93 146.56
Dead trees 0.28 1.02 0.93 3.43
Fallen Wood 6.07 22.28 4.35 15.96
Total epigeous 44.63 163.78 45.22 165.95
Soil 294.47 1080.7 359.88 1,320.76
Roots 17.22 63.21 18.01 66.11
Total hypogeous
311.69 1143.91 377.89 1,386.87
carbon
Total at 1 m depth 356.32 1307.69 423.11 1,552.81

Considering both bays as a one ecosystem, the average carbon at 1 m depth is 389.72 +/-
13.75 MgC/ha. As shown in the table below, a total of 6,906,157.37 MgC is sequestered in
mangrove forests of La Unión and Chismuyo bays, which is a potential 25,345,597.55 total
CO2 emissions avoided as long as these ecosystems are conserved.

Total carbon stored in mangroves of Chismuyo Bay and La Unión Bay (17,041 ha)
Unit Total SD Minimum Maximum
MgC/ha 389.72 13.75 383.97 395.46
CO2e/ha 1,430.25 50.47 1,409.16 1,451.34
MgC 6,906,157.37 13.75 6,906,143.62 6,906,171.12
CO2e 25,345,597.55 50.47 25,345,547.08 25,345,648.02

The aforementioned 25 million tons of carbon will remain sequestered in the soil and trees of
mangrove ecosystem of La Unión and Chismuyo bays as long as it is not altered by land-use
changes (such as deforestation, shrimp farming, salt production, etc.). If the ecosystem is
altered, large quantities of CO2 will be emitted and contribute to climate change. This is a
strong message advocating in favor of mangrove conservation, which will has been passed on
to relevant institutions in Honduras and El Salvador.

                                                            
13
  1 MgC/ha = 1 ton/ha. In addition, MgC refers to megagrams of organic carbon in the soil. That is, organic matter
accumulated in the soil such as roots, wood, leaves, etc., which have gone through a process of organic
decomposition for tens or thousands of years. 

24 
 ICWL Final Report

Solid Waste14

IUCN conducted a solid waste study in the middle and lower Goascorán watershed to identify
the quantity and types of waste produced by households in the area, and propose
recommendations and practical solutions for its proper management. The study covered 14
municipalities in El Salvador and Honduras, for a total of 166.091 inhabitants according to
recent surveys.

The characterization of solid waste was carried out according to the methodology of the Pan-
American Center for Sanitary Engineering and Environmental Sciences (CEPIS) of the Pan-
American Health Organization (PAHO). Following this methodology, 17 households were
randomly asked to collect, weigh and classify their solid waste during one week (7 days). The
table below shows the average quantity of solid waste per capita produced in the study area
compared to national averages15.

Quantity of households’ solid waste per capita

Country Kg/day/person in study area Kg/day/person at national level
El Salvador 0.59 0.77
Honduras 1.22 0.65

Projections based on the study’s data show that 36,387kg/day is produced on the Honduran
side of the study area, against 79,213kg/day in El Salvador.

The collected data shows that food amounts to 45.2% of households’ solid waste, against
22.1% for plastic. The rest is composed of paper and cardboard (11.3%), aluminum (7.3%), glass
(5.6%), among others, as show in the table below.

Households’ solid waste composition

Type of waste Average % in study area Average % in Latin America and Caribbean’s16
Food 45.2 52
Plastic 22.1 12
Paper and cardboard 11.3 13
Aluminum 7.3 4
Glass 5.6 4
Metals 1.9 3
Other 6.4 15

In El Salvador, waste collected by municipalities is brought to the Santa Rosa de Lima landfill,
which is managed by the Inter-Municipal Association of the North of La Unión (ASINORLU).
According to ASINORLU’s data, 33,390kg of waste is deposited into the landfill every day,
which means another 45,823kg/day are not collected and deposited in illegal dumps, empty
fields, ravines or rivers.

In Honduras, on the other hand, the study’s municipalities do not have access to a proper
landfill. Waste collected in urban areas thus is deposited in municipal dumpsters without any
kind of treatment. These dumpsters do not allow treating leachate, which leak into soil and
subterranean water, while gases emitted by organic waste decomposition contribute to climate
                                                            
14 These activities were carried out with the support of consultants Bernardo Mora and Freddy Miranda.
15 Kasa, S., Yao, L., Bhada-Tata, P., Van Woerden, F. 2018. WHAT A WASTE 2.0 A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste
Management to 2050. World Bank Group. Washington, DC. USA.
16
 Kasa, S., Yao, L., Bhada-Tata, P., Van Woerden, F. 2018 

25 
 ICWL Final Report

change and air pollution. Although no data is available on the actual proportion, it is clear that
a significant amount of waste is also not collected in rural areas and improperly disposed of in
the environment.

In both countries, plastics waste, which is hardly degradable and very light, is easily lifted by
wind and water over great distances, eventually accumulating the Goascorán River and the
Gulf of Fonseca. As previously shown, plastic waste amounts to 22% of household’s waste in
the study area. This is twice the Latin American and Caribbean’s average.

The study’s findings therefore call for urgent action to improve waste collection and
treatment. Municipalities’ financial and technical capacities are insufficient to address the
challenge on their own. They should thus associate and negotiate solutions with national
institutions and the private sector to ensure a more effective waste management, in particular
for plastics.

 
Fires often occur in municipal dumpsters of the Goascorán watershed as decomposing organic matter release gases.
These gases, especially methane, also contribute to climate change.

Strengthening local monitoring capacities

Before camera trap training, we didn’t know how to operate them. Now we see species that we
didn’t see before because you can’t see them without camera traps.

Jose Santos Alvarez, park ranger, MARN, El Salvador

Before, we didn’t know flora and fauna species. We only saw birds like anything else. Now we
can identify them, which one is migratory, which one is from El Salvador.

Herbert Álvarez, park ranger, FUNSALPRODESE, El Salvador

All biological monitoring activities lead by IUCN involved local park rangers and implementing
partners technical staff. In total, the ICWL project trained nine professional and 25 volunteer
park rangers in La Unión and Chismuyo bays (of which 6 women and over 25 youth). Cameras,
camera traps, GPSs, binoculars and UAVs were purchased to strengthen local monitoring
capacities. Park rangers also participated in SMART software training to improve data
collection, storing and analysis.

26 
 ICWL Final Report

As a result, FUNSALPRODESE has coordinated with MARN park rangers to follow up on

birds, mammals, crocodiles, mollusks and crustaceans, and water physical-chemical parameters
monitoring in La Unión Bay. These coordinated efforts fed a database and maps informing on
the state of ecosystems and key species, such as jaguarundis (Puma yagouaroundi),  anteaters
(Tamandua mexicana), white tailed deers (Odocoileus virginianus) and crocodiles (Crocodylus
acutus) and over 160 different bird species. To ensure local empowerment, water quality
monitoring was supported by students of MEGATEC La Unión, while mollusks and crustaceans
monitoring involved local fishermen. Dry forest (morrales in Spanish) areas of Pasaquina were
also studied to establish its flora and fauna, remaining cover and connectivity with mangrove
ecosystems.

In addition to biological monitoring activities, MARN park rangers have carried out an average
of 8 monthly monitoring routes along 25-30km to identify illegal activities and raise possible
offenders’ awareness of environmental laws, thus ensuring a more effective protection of
natural resources in La Unión Bay.

 
A flock of 80 black skimmers (Rhynchops niger) was spotted in Punta Pecho, El Salvador. Photos: Herbert Álvarez

The ICWL project also supported the Gulf of Fonseca Conservation Area Local Environmental
Observers Network (ROLA) capacity building. The network includes voluntary community
leaders that commit to reporting environmental issues to local authorities. 32 ROLA members
(including 6 women) were involved in several training session on leadership, organizational
processes, environmental alerts and climate information tools, and experience exchange with
other ROLAs in the country. ROLAs are part of MARN’s strategy to promote public
participation and leadership in environmental protection and are financed by FIAES, FONAES
and MARN projects.

In Honduras, ICWL biological monitoring training supported CODDEFFAGOLF in the design

of the first SAPZsurH Scientific Research Program. As previously mentioned, the Program
includes a series of protocols on wildlife, mangrove, mollusks and crustaceans, water and
climate. CODDEFFAGOLF will ensure its continuous implementation in coordination with
other co-management organizations.

Remarkably, the ICWL project created and strengthened a group of voluntary park rangers in
Playa Grande, Nacaome. 25 people17, mostly under 30 year old contributed to mangrove
restoration and monitoring, camera traps operation, climate monitoring, clean-up and other
project activities, which was fundamental in achieving project goals. They are now recognized
as effective and knowledgeable contributors to the conservation and protection of the area by
local communities and institutions such as the Task Force and COCOCOs.

                                                            
17
 Including 5 women and 21 youths 

27 
 ICWL Final Report

Because ecosystems and wildlife know no political borders, Honduran and Salvadoran park
rangers were gathered at CODDEFFAGOLF’s marine research center on El Pacar Island,
Amapala in March 2019. MARN park rangers and FUNSALPRODESE’s staff exchanged
experiences, challenges and lessons learned with professional and voluntary park rangers of
Chismuyo Bay. Several commitments were made during the event to keep exchanging and
collaborating, in particular concerning the management of the recurrent “waste dam” in the
Goascorán River.

 
On March 8 2019, IUCN, FUNSALPRODESE and CODDEFFAGOLF handed diplomas to Chismuyo and La Unión
park rangers to acknowledge their contribution to the protection of the Gulf of Fonseca

Mangrove restoration

At the beginning only 19 of us were planting mangrove catkins. But with CODDEFFAGOLF’s
support, we have learned how to do it well, how to monitor mangrove growth and take care of
the 50 hectares we have reforested in this area.

Maria Santiago Martínez, Campaign Coordinator of Playa Grande, Honduras

As previously mentioned, healthy mangrove ecosystems have the capacity to sequester up to

four times more carbon than other types of forest. In both La Unión and Chismuyo Bay,
shrimp farming, salt production and other activities have caused the loss and fragmentation of
these important ecosystems. Mangrove restoration is a costly and arduous enterprise, which
requires manpower to gather catkins and plant them over large, sometimes hardly accessible
muddy areas. It also requires rehabilitating fresh and salty water access, to recuperate natural
hydrological processes.

The ICWL project contributed to the recuperation of mangrove by reforesting 129.5 hectares
of degraded mangrove area in the Gulf of Fonseca, thus contributing to climate change
mitigation. If the restored areas are consistently monitored and preserved during the next 2-5
years, these parcels may capture 8806tCO2eq18 by 2020 and 22,015tCO2eq by 2023. This
important mitigation potential calls for continued support from government institutions and
local organizations to ensure their longer-term protection.

                                                            
18
 Equivalent of CO2 sequestered or avoided in metric tons 

28 
 ICWL Final Report

In La Unión Bay, several sites were identified in

consultation with MARN for mangrove restoration:
11ha in San Ramón, San Alejo and 4ha in San Felipe,
Pasaquina. Both sites were abandoned salt farms
that showed the necessary conditions to be
restored, as some natural regenerative processes
could already be observed. Other areas with lower
mangrove density were identified in El Lodazal, San
Alejo and El Rico, Pasaquina. FUNSALPRODESE
Fisherman participating in mangrove reforestation and local communities planted a total of 34,000
in La Union Bay catkins harvested in the estuary and 5100
mangrove plants (Rhizophora mangle and racemosa)
grown in nurseries over 19.5ha. Monitoring showed that, plant survival rate is only 50% to 70%
in San Ramón, while it reaches 80% to 99% in other sites. The difference is probably due to the
type of soil and initial conditions of the parcel.

FUNSALPRODESE had previously begun the restoration of an 8-ha abandoned salt production
site in El Limón, Pasaquina by opening drainage channels to allow for natural mangrove
regeneration, still with the approval of MARN. Unfortunately, it later appeared that this site
was subject to a salt exploitation permit, which prevented FUNSALPRODESE from proceeding
with restoration activities. In 2019, another challenge occurred when unknown individuals
destroyed one hectare of reforested mangrove in San Felipe. These events are symptomatic of
ongoing conflicts between conservation and economic exploitation of natural resources in the
area. In order to prevent further damage, signs were posted at each site to remind passers-by
that mangrove is protected by environmental legislations.

Despite setbacks, these efforts contributed to reducing mangrove forest fragmentation in the
area and restore ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and livelihoods for local
fishermen. They were included in MARN’s online forest restoration map:
http://apps3.marn.gob.sv/geocumplimiento/restauracion/mapa.php.

In Chismuyo Bay, COCOCOs, voluntary park rangers, ICF, municipalities and

CODDEFFAGOLF reforested 110 hectares of mangrove in Nacaome and Alianza between
2017 and 2018. Each reforestation campaign involved over 100 people, mostly youth (74% in
2018) and with strong women leadership (45% women). Reforested parcels are continuously
monitored according to the Methodology for the monitoring and restoration of mangrove in
the SAPZsurH, which defines restoration strategies using either direct planting of mangrove
catkins or after their nursing in greenhouses, as well as measurement protocols for physical-
chemical, biological and meteorological parameter. Mangrove plants have grown 85-100cm on
average per year (7.1-8.3cm/month), with a 60-62% plant survival rate. As for El Salvador,
drones were used to complement monitoring data with imagery. CODDEFFAGOLF will
complement these activities with other funds, ensuring that each reforested area is registered
and certified by ICF.

   

29 
 ICWL Final Report

II. Sustainability of Rural Livelihood Systems Improved Through Climate-

Smart Approaches (ER2)

As long as they do not have food in their stomach, people won’t care about the environment.

Ever Mauricio Funes, Municipal Environmental Unit of La Unión, El Salvador

We do not have stable employment; we have the sea, agriculture, for our own consumption, just
the basics. With some help maybe we could work more.

Carlos Alexander Rodriguez Zetino, Bocana El Rico Cooperative, San Alejo, El Salvador

Farmers and fishermen of the lower watershed and costal zones of the Goascorán River
typically have between 2 and 5 children (over 46%), usually with a low level of formal
education (66% state primary level or lower), while 40% declare having no access to any kind
of sanitary infrastructure19. With very scarce access to formal employment, their livelihoods
and subsistence depend directly on natural resources. Yet their economic precariousness and
low access to information often lead them to implement environmentally harmful productive
or extractive practices. Some people (especially the younger ones) sometimes look to
emigrate in hope of a better situation.

Under ER 2, the ICWL project supported 716 farmers and fishermen in increasing their
income, while adopting a more environmentally friendly behavior. This was achieved by
harnessing a powerful financial incentive scheme, coupled with technical assistance and
environmental education, in order increase communities’ awareness of the importance of
biodiversity and ecosystems for their wellbeing, while promoting better productive practices
and alternative livelihoods.

Community microfinance associations

Community microfinance associations (cajas rurales in Spanish) are a time-tested savings and
credit model that has been promoted by FUNDER for over 20 years in Honduras. These
associations foster savings habits and provide better access to credit to rural communities who
have no access to the formal banking system. The ICWL project harnessed this effective rural
development model to enhance biodiversity conservation and foster environmental awareness,
an innovative strategy that allowed boosting investment in best practices and alternative
livelihoods, while strengthening rural communities’ economic self-reliance.

The ICWL project supported 31 groups, for a total of 71620 members (44% women and 17%
youth) and 494 clients (i.e. community members who benefit from financial services without
being members of the microfinance association). In Honduras, 10 groups were created thanks
to the ICWL project, while 13 others were pre-existing associations. In El Salvador, the ICWL
project reactivated pre-existing cooperatives and included a savings and credit mechanisms
into their internal regulations. FUNDER has a robust system in place to support legal
procedures, which ensured that all groups function with an up-to-date legal status.

                                                            
19
 Baseline data was obtained by interviewing 370 community microfinance associations’ members in 2017. 
20
 It is worth stressing that this number is based on the official associations’ membership by May 15, 2019.
However, membership fluctuates as new members join associations and others leave.

30 
 ICWL Final Report

Number of microfinance associations and members per municipality

Number of # members Total #
Location Clients21 Total
groups M W members
Honduras
Alianza 3 36 26 62 11 73
Amapala (Bahía de Chismuyo) 4 45 53 98 112 210
Aramecina 3 46 56 102 189 291
Goascorán 7 116 83 199 99 298
Nacaome (Bahía de Chismuyo) 6 65 43 108 64 172
Total Honduras 23 308 261 569 475 1044
El Salvador
La Unión 4 35 31 66 19 85
San Alejo 4 56 25 81 - 81
Total El Salvador 8 91 56 147 19 166
Total 31 399 317 716 494 1210

FUNDER’s methodology is based on a series of training modules that cover organizational,

financial and entrepreneurship topics. It should be stressed that an effective capacity building
process depends on beneficiaries’ commitment and assistance to monthly or bi-monthly
reunions. This engagement is only possible if they are convinced by the model and trust is built
among members and with the technical assistant. Only a continued accompaniment through
frequent visits to each community will guarantee that microfinance associations are built on
solid basis.

In total, 361 individuals (44% women and 19% youths) were involved in training sessions. 234
community microfinance association members (93 women, 43 under 30 years old) received at
least 75% of the first three training modules, which is necessary to be able to properly manage
the association and maintain proper records. These members usually take on leading roles
such as president, secretary and treasurer. 76 members (27 women, 18 under 30 years old)
received special training on financial management.

Module II
Module I  Module III Module IV
Interest  Module V New Module 
Organization  Loan and  Investment  Environmental 
calculation  Financial 
and  payment  plans  Education
and savings  statements
governance management management
management

 
FUNDER's community microfinance associations’ training modules

In 2018, the ICWL project supported FUNDER with the design of an environmental education
manual adapted to community microfinance associations. It includes several lessons on basic
                                                            
21
 Community members who benefit from financial services without being members of the microfinance association 

31 
 ICWL Final Report

environmental concepts and a simple methodology to assess the communities’ production

practices impact and how to improve it. A total of 336 people (23% under 30 years old, 45%
women) participated in environmental education sessions. It is worth mentioning that this
number includes community members that are not microfinance associations’ members but
were interested in the subject. Each group received a copy of the manual as a reference and to
allow for knowledge replication.

 
Community microfinance group members learn to manage savings and act as a self-managed community bank.
Photo: Oscar Leiva for USAID

FUNDER closely monitored community microfinance associations’ capital, savings and loan
portfolio on a quarterly basis. The 13 pre-existing Honduran groups entered the project with a
total capital of USD 346,242 (initial capital). The other 18 groups had no monetary capital at
the beginning of the process. As shown in the table below, rural microfinance associations’
increase in capital - without ICWL seed funding - amounted to USD 227,227 by May, 15 2019.
This includes members’ savings, members’ fees, interests generated by loans, monetary value of
physical assets (depreciated on a yearly basis), income generated by sales performed by the
association (if any) and donations by other organizations (if any). It does not include non-
reimbursable funds awarded by the ICWL project. This increase in capital is the direct
outcome of FUNDER’s support with organizational processes, promoting savings habits and
improving productive practices and access to market. The total increase in capital, including
ICWL seed funding reaches USD 305,027.

27 groups received ICWL non-reimbursable seed funding (in cash)22 for a total of USD 77,800.
All of them signed a performance agreement by which they commit to implementing best
productive practices and protect natural resources. At least 5% of their capital will be invested
in environmental protection actions, such as clean-up or reforestation campaigns. These
agreements ensure that no loan will be granted to invest in illegal or unsustainable production
                                                            
22
 In order to receive seed funding, groups had to complete all three training modules designed by FUNDER and
sign business performance agreements that include natural resources conservation commitments. Seed funding was
also awarded depending on each group’s needs and potential influence on coastal-zone ecosystems.  

32 
 ICWL Final Report

practices or equipment, such as illegal fishing nets or expanding salt production sites. Seed
funding is a powerful incentive, especially for new rural microfinance associations which would
not be able to grant loans without financial leverage.

Rural microfinance mechanisms’ capital increase (in USD) by May 15, 2019
Capital
Number Number increase ICWL Total Capital by
Type of Initial
Country of of (without seed increase May 15,
group Capital
groups members ICWL funding in capital 2019
funds)
Pre-
HN 13 400 346,242 88,362 18,600 106,962 453,204
existing
HN New 10 169 0 19,735 29,200 48,935 48,935
SV Coops 8 147 0 119,130 30,000 145,530 149,130
Total 31 716 346,242 227,227 77,800 305,027 651,269

In Honduras, groups supported by the ICWL project were incorporated into FINRURAL,
which is a second-level organization that provides community microfinance association with
further technical assistance and other services such as low-interests loans and insurance.
FUNDER will also look to strengthen the most recent groups by including them in other
projects.

In El Salvador, all cooperatives are well known by FUNSALPRODESE, which will remain active
in the area and provide support depending on needs and available funds. FUNDER has also
established contact between cooperatives and the Center for the Development of Micro and
Small Enterprises (CDMYPE) in La Unión. CDMYPE offers technical assistance for bookkeeping
and access to financial services, among others. Cooperatives can also seek support from
MAG’s National Center for Agricultural, Livestock and Forest Technology (CENTA), which
has participated in several project activities.

Monitoring and evaluation visits to rural microfinance associations have shown that, beyond
the promotion of savings, loans and best productive practices, organizing rural microfinance
mechanisms allowed fostering leaderships within communities and create platforms to
replicate knowledge and behavior change. Rural microfinance associations include strong
leaders that are more aware of issues affecting their village and grow used to exert positive
influence in the community. If properly harnessed, such leaderships become vectors of positive
change in environmental protection, especially when combined with the participation of youth.

We’ve learned how to help the community […]. We organized a clean-up campaign; we
celebrated Children’s Day. We involve the whole community. We also help when a member’s
relative passes, we support them with cash, although it isn’t much, but it helps. We didn’t use to
do any of this before.

Fausto Antonio Molina Reyes, La Galera Cooperative, San Cayetano, La Unión, El Salvador

33 
 ICWL Final Report

Better productive practices and improved rural value chains

What I used to do before was to spread chemicals onto the crops. […]. It seems to be good for
us because we are able to send our product out for sale, but we are harming people, damaging
them with so many chemicals in the product. The way we are doing it now, though, using
organic preparations, it makes me feel we are doing something very well. The product is the
same, but you feel more confident to eat it; one feels it is not going to harm you that much.
[…]Several men here in La Guacamayera have seen me spreading the organic fertilizer on the
plants; quite a few of them are doing the same and they are now farming using organic
products.

René García, 22 year-old farmer, San Alejo, El Salvador

Excessive use of agrochemicals, agricultural burns, fishing with

René García prepares organic
pest control product
explosives or venom and extracting marine species of juvenile size
are all common practices that threaten coastal-marine biodiversity
and ecosystems in the Gulf of Fonseca. Throughout its livelihoods
development work, the ICWL project strived to change such
habits and promote better productive practices that ensure access
to market and better income without damaging the environment.
Farmers and fishermen also learned to maintain sales registers, in
order to have a clearer idea of their income. The ICWL focused
on local value chains, including agriculture, fishing, salt production
and apiculture. The table below shows the total income generated
by sales supported by the ICWL project, which reached USD
807,783.76.

Value chains accumulated income (in USD) as of May 15, 2019

Product 2017 2018 2019 Total
Pumpkin 15,535.18 49,784.28 5,273.24 70,592.70
Plantain 301,483.61 233,403.69 534,887.30
HN Fish 15,417.26 80,968.67 26,486.85 122,872.78
Sweet potato 6,460.91 6,460.91
Sal 2,970.00 2,970.00
Subtotal HN 737,783.69
Vegetables 16,935.72 6,650 23,585.66
SV Fish 29,400.22 22,746 52,146.07
Corn 1,600.00 12,600 14,200.00
Subtotal SV 89,931.73
Total 827,715.42

Horticultural crops (pumpkin, plantain, sweet pepper, sweet potato, melon) and
staple grains

The ICWL project supports the sustainable production and collective sales of horticultural
crops. Farmers committed to improved practices such as reducing agrochemical use and
avoiding agricultural burns in their performance agreement. In communities located near the
estuary, growing horticultural crops allow diverting farmers from more extensive cultures that
put pressure on mangrove areas. Horticultural crops also have a greater value on the market
than staple grain, thus providing higher income, including jobs for women specifically. Plantain,

34 
 ICWL Final Report

pumpkin and sweet potato sales in Honduras generated USD 611,940.91 between 2017 and
2019. In El Salvador, horticultural crop sales (mostly sweet pepper) were sold for a total of
USD 23,585.66.

In Costa de los Amates, Alianza, Honduras, pumpkins were planted on 31.75 manzanas23
(22.22 ha), which allowed employing temporary workers for a total of 11 full-time jobs
equivalent during the season, while plantain crops employ 18 families on 51.75 manzanas
(36.22 ha - 23 full-time jobs equivalent). In of Agua Fría, Nacaome, farmers planted 18.5
manzanas (12.95 ha) of pumpkin. Pumpkin farms will receive further support through the
SURCOMPITE project implemented by FUNDER.

The associations Productores de Llano de Jesus and Los Luchadores, both in Goascorán,
Honduras received training on organic sweet potato production, which they cultivate on 20
manzanas (14 ha). The first sale in 2018 generated an income of USD 6,460.91.

In El Salvador, two cooperatives where trained and equipped to grow sweet pepper in La
Guacamayera (San Alejo) and San Cayetano (La Unión) in mesh houses that were repaired
with project funds. Both groups use wood stakes (500 3-meter stakes annually each) to
support tomato and sweet pepper crops. FUNSALPRODESE purchased bamboo stakes to
support new crops, thus avoiding the extraction of about 3,000 meters of mangrove wood,
which was used before project intervention. Bamboo nurseries were set up in order to make
this improved practice sustainable.

Another Salvadoran group in La Galilea, La Unión planted melon over half 0.5 manzanas (0.35
ha), with the support of the Amanecer Rural program. It also received support from MAG to
set up a drip irrigation system. These investments allowed diverting their production from
fields that were located much closer to the mangrove forest.

 
Member of the La Galera Cooperative in San Cayetano, La Unión pose among sweet pepper crops supported by
bamboo stakes in their refurbished mesh house

                                                            
23
 1 manzana = 0.7 hectares 

35 
 ICWL Final Report

Apiculture

The associations Costa Verde in Alianza and Santa Inés in Goascorán, both in Honduras,
received training on apiculture, to learn basic skills, techniques and use of equipment, types and
behavior of bees and beehive handling. They also purchased equipment to start honey
production and visited the COAPICH cooperative in Choluteca, in view of joining the
association.

Salt production

Two community microfinance associations involved in the ICWL project include members
working in salt production in Nacaome, Honduras. In both cases, ICWL‘s support aimed to
promote eco-responsible behavior at salt production sites (avoid deforestation, wildlife killing
and littering) and promote alternative or complementary activities, such as salt processing.

The ICWL project set up a salt packaging line, thus creating local jobs especially for youths and
women. An abandoned storage facility was rehabilitated, in order to store and process salt. As
foreseen by the investment plan, 1,000 quintals of raw product was bought, 20% of which was
processed and sold to generate income to be reinvested during the next season. The improved
facilities have a capacity for 20,000 quintals, but specialized equipment is required to upscale
the process. Therefore, a salt mill is being fixed and quotes were requested for other
equipment. During the last quarter, members (12 men, 11 women) of both groups visited the
Honduras Salt Producers Association (ASOPROSALH) in El Caimito, San Lorenzo. The
objective of the visit is to pave the way for a commercial alliance between the Association and
salt producers supported by the ICWL project.

Fisheries

Fish in the sea depends on mangrove. If there is no mangrove, there is no fish.

Roman Burgos Calix, fisherman from Playa Grande, Nacaome, Honduras

In order to maximize impacts in terms of mangrove and fisheries conservation, ICWL put a
specific emphasis on improving practices among fishermen, a sector traditionally poorly
organized and highly informal. Fishermen who joined rural microfinance associations
committed to using legal fishing gear only and reduce littering in a performance agreement.
They also participated in mangrove reforestation campaigns and, in some cases, mollusks and
crustaceans biological monitoring. Fishermen also learned to register their production (species,
weight) and sales (clients, amount sold). For most, it is the first time they have a clear idea of
their income, which is a powerful motivational factor for them to save money. In total,
fishermen involved in 12 microfinance groups reported sales amounting to USD 175,018.85.

In la Unión Bay, artificial reefs were installed to support species recuperation and promote
more selective fishing practices. MARN issued a permit install eight sets of eight 1m3 artificial
reefs each over 1000 m2 between the estuaries of El Conchal estuary and Chapernalito in the
Manzanillo Canal in San Alejo.

The Bocana El Rico Cooperative is the official manager of the infrastructure. Its members were
trained and equipped to monitor and maintain the artificial reefs. The also visited the Arrecifes
Cooperative in Jiquilisco Bay, to understand how artificial reefs can increase the presence of
species in a low-impact and safe way when combined with sustainable artisanal fishing
practices, such as fishing with fishhooks.

36 
 ICWL Final Report

III. Effectiveness and Integration of “Source-to-sea” Watershed

Governance Improved (ER3)

I got interested because I live close to the river. […] Alonso24 took us on a tour and it motivated
me. I tell my neighbors and my friends not to throw plastics; that they won’t disintegrate. I
showed them pictures. Look, what comes from here goes all the way to the river and down to
the sea. They got concerned. I told them to put everything in the waste collection truck. They no
longer throw waste into the river. […] We hope for a change in society, it cannot go on like
this.

Maria Elisabeth Bonilla, Community leader, El Sauce, El Salvador

Under ER3, the ICWL project promoted the

source-to-sea approach as an integrated watershed
governance best-practice. A survey carried out in
2017 showed that the watershed concept was
poorly understood by local communities and
government officers. For this reason, the ICWL
implemented a series of activities to increase the
understanding of the watershed concept and the
source-to-sea approach, stressing the interrelations
between the upper, middle, lower and coastal zone
of the Goascorán watershed and the importance of
good governance to ensure natural resource
sustainable use.

The ICWL project also streamlined water and

waste management, biodiversity conservation and
other environmental priorities into governance
instruments, such as municipal ordinances and
community governance structures status. In total,
14 legal instruments were proposed, of which 3
were adopted and 6 implemented to improve
environmental governance in the project area.
ICWL project beneficiaries learned how actions carried out at
one level affect other parts of the Goascorán watershed

                                                            
24
 FUNSALPRODESE’s governance specialist Alonso Gomez organized several field trips to the higher, middle and
lower Goascorán watershed to raise awareness of water conservation issues.

37 
 ICWL Final Report

Waste management: a cross-border challenge

 
Wood, sediments and solid waste accumulate in the area known as “the dam” (el tapón) in the Goascorán River.
Photo: Carlos Palma for IUCN

The ICWL project carried out an assessment of existing governance structures at various
levels in the Goascorán lower basin and coastal zones in Honduras and El Salvador to identify
issues of common interest in both countries. The assessment showed that solid waste
management is a general concern in the project area, due to the weak waste collection
capacity in rural areas, inadequate waste disposal in dumps, absence of recycling facilities and
little awareness among the general population. The issue is particularly visible when
precipitations drag solid waste, especially plastics, and organic material downstream, eventually
forming a dam and blocking the Goascorán River’s flow. Solid waste management was thus
prioritized as a pressing cross-border challenge.

On the one hand, the ICWL project financed a solid waste study in the middle and lower
Goascorán watershed to map landfills and dumps in the area, identify the quantity and type of
waste produced by households, and propose recommendations for its proper management
(main findings are described under ER1). The study was implemented with the active
participation of environmental units of 14 municipalities. The results were later presented to
these municipalities, as well as community-based governance structures such as COCOCOs
and ADESCOs. The presentation stressed the urgency to create alliances with national
institutions and the private sector to tackle solid waste production at its root, and to promote
more responsible behaviors among the general population.

On the other hand, the ICWL project allowed local stakeholders of both countries to learn
about existing best practices through a bi-national experience exchange held in collaboration
with Fundación Vida. On that occasion, ASINORLU presented their experience with the
construction and management of a landfill and the design of efficient waste collection routes in
urban areas of Santa Rosa de Lima, El Salvador. During the exchange participants also learned
about different associative options at municipal level to pool resources and coordinate actions
to improve environmental management. The workshop was followed by a field visit to the
Santa Rosa de Lima landfill, where all participants signed a bi-national declaration of intention
to improve solid waste management.

38 
 ICWL Final Report

In order to raise public awareness of the solid waste crisis and foster a change in behavior, the
ICWL project promoted clean-up campaigns engaging all types of beneficiaries, including rural
microfinance associations, COCOCOs and ADESCOs. In Amapala for instance, three
communities organize quarterly clean-up campaigns in Punta Novillo, Puerto Grande and Los
Huatales, with the support of microfinance associations’ members and pupils of the local
schools. Another clean-up campaign was organized by La Chácara Cooperative in La Unión in
2018. In 2019, CODDEFFAGOLF coordinated a large-scale clean-up campaign with
COCOCOs and municipalities of Chismuyo Bay. The intervention covered 10 hectares of
mangrove and beaches in 8 communities of Alianza, Amapala and Nacaome. About 1 ton of
solid waste was removed from habitats and brought to municipal dumpsters. In total, the
ICWL project25 allowed to divert over 8000 kg of solid waste from the environment in coastal
zones of the Gulf of Fonseca in El Salvador and Honduras.

 
COCOCOs of Chismuyo Bay lead a broad clean-up campaign which allowed to diver 1 ton of solid waste from
coastal zone habitats

Private sector agreements on best management practices

Proper disposal of agrochemical containers is paramount to avoid soil and water

contamination. If they are left in the environment, they pose a direct threat to human health,
wildlife and ecosystem. Moreover, these containers cannot be treated like other types of
plastic waste, because they are impregnated with toxic substances. They must be incinerated at
very high temperature in ovens equipped with filters to avoid releasing gases into the
atmosphere that could trigger acid rain.

As a result of a past project, FUNDER counted on an alliance with Bayer, a member of the
CropLife consortium in Honduras26 to improve agrochemical sustainable use and containers
disposal in Chismuyo Bay. In 2018, a series of training sessions was delivered for farmers of
Chismuyo Bay as part of the CAMPO LIMPIO program to promote best practices such as

                                                            
25
 This includes campaigns coordinated by FUNDER. We are making efforts to obtain data from other implementing
partners.
26
 In El Salvador, agrochemical plastic containers collected by farmers in La Unión Cooperatives are collected by
MAG.

39 
 ICWL Final Report

pesticide reduction, the use of green-label products, the use of personal protection gear while
applying agrochemicals and containers perforation and triple-washing.

Additionally, three collection centers were set up in Agua Fria (Nacaome), Ojusta Costa de los
Amates and Llano de Jesus (Goascorán), benefitting at least 120 farmers and fishermen. Agro-
chemicals containers were washed, perforated and deposited in collection centers, to be later
transported to the CropLife center in Comayagua to be shredded and incinerated.
Unfortunately, it later came to light that the CropLife center had been shut down. IUCN and
FUNDER then looked for a contingency plan to dispose of the collected containers, which
proved challenging since there was no alternative in place to dispose of agrochemical
containers in the country.

After many interactions with government and private entities, an agreement was reached with
the cement plant ARGOS in Comayagua to incinerate the 200kg of agrochemical containers
the project had collected. This first experience established a communication canal between
FUNDER and ARGOS, which will hopefully give rise to a longer-term alliance for agrochemical
containers disposal.

 
Agrochemical containers were triple-washed and perforated before they were deposited in collection centers set
up by the ICWL project in Chismuyo Bay

40 
 ICWL Final Report

Local authorities and community-based governance mechanisms

Before we didn’t even know what an ADESCO was. How were we going to go to the
municipality? Now we demand that the Mayor takes care of the river.

Wendy Acosta, Community leader, Concepción de Oriente, El Salvador

 
Community leaders of Concepción de Oriente expressed their gratitude to FUNSALPRODESE for their continued
support through the ICWL project. Located by the Goascorán River, two hours away from San Miguel and La
Unión, this fairly remote municipality rarely receive support from local and international NGOs

Government institutions often lack resources and manpower to ensure effective presence
throughout the national territory. It is even more so in the southern part of Honduras and the
eastern part of El Salvador, which are relatively far away from the capitals. The ICWL project
thus focused on local authorities and community governance structures to enhance
governance and empowerment at local level in the project area. In total, over 120 community
leaders (40 women, 40 youth) and over 70 municipal officials (30 women, 10 youth) were
involved in capacity building activities to strengthen local governance.

Municipal environmental units (UMAs in Honduras, UAMs in El Salvador) were involved in

a comprehensive capacity building program, including training sessions on strategic planning,
environmental legislation, environmental monitoring, among others, and the revision or
elaboration of municipal environmental management instruments, including ordinances and
management and action plans. UAMs/UMAS were consistently involved in project events and
activities, which also enhanced coordination with government institutions and community
organizations.

In Honduras, Amapala, Goascorán and Alianza UMAs have included environmental activities
into their operative plans, such as mangrove reforestation, dry forest restoration,
environmental education campaigns in schools, clean-up activities and waste separation. The
ICWL project also allowed them to establish their municipal environmental plans. All these
actions enhance municipalities’ effective contribution to the implementation of the Chismuyo
Bay Biennial Operative Plan, thus contributing to the enhanced management of AMH/E

41 
 ICWL Final Report

Chismuyo. The ICWL also organized an event to present the results achieved in Chismuyo Bay
to UMAs of other municipalities of the SAPZsurH, in order to promote their replication in
other protected areas.

In El Salvador, FUNSALPRODESE has been working with UAMs of El Sauce, San Alejo,
Concepción de Oriente and Pasaquina in order to promote the inclusion of biodiversity
concerns into their work plans. This intervention strengthened the local basis supporting
efforts made at a higher level with the Gulf of Fonseca Conservation Area Local Sustainable
Development Plan (PDLS).

In both countries, the ICWL project supported the revision of municipal ordinances related
to environmental protection and conservation, which usually only cover waste management.
Seven municipal ordinances were revised to include key issues, such as watershed integrated
management, biodiversity conservation, livelihood sustainability and social inclusion. Three
ordinances were approved in Nacaome, Honduras and Concepción de Oriente and El Sauce in
El Salvador27. The other four were submitted for approval, but did not give rise to much
political interest in the municipalities, despite CODDEFFAGOLF and FUNSALPRODESE’s best
efforts. Yet COCOCOs in Honduras and ADESCOs in El Salvador actively participated to the
revision process, so their content is known to communities, which paves the way for their
implementation, even if they remain unofficial.

Municipal environmental ordinances’ title and status for each municipality

Municipality Title Status
Municipal Ordinance on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of
El Sauce Approved
Natural Resources of the El Sauce Municipality, La Unión
Concepción de Ordinance Regulating the Environment and Natural Resources
Approved
Oriente Protection
SV Municipal Ordinance on Integral Measures for the Protection of
Submitted for
Pasaquina the Environment and Social Resilience for the Adaptation to
approval
Climate Change in the Pasaquina Municipality, La Unión
Municipal Ordinance on Integral Measures for the Protection of
Submitted for
San Alejo the Environment and Social Resilience for the Adaptation to
approval
Climate Change in the San Alejo Municipality, La Unión
Municipal Ordinance on the Protection of Natural Resources y Submitted for
Goascorán
Protected Areas Management in the Goascorán Municipality approval
Municipal Ordinance on the Protection of Natural Resources y
HN Nacaome Approved
Protected Areas Management in the Nacaome Municipality
Municipal Ordinance on the Protection of Natural Resources y Submitted for
Alianza
Protected Areas Management in the Alianza Municipality approval

Capacity building efforts for improved community-based governance in the ICWL project
intervention area was tailored for local contexts. In Honduras, it focused on public
participation to the Chismuyo Bay protected area management through the strengthening of
COCOCOs (reported under ERI).

In El Salvador, the approach was based on ADESCOs, focusing on community associations that
showed interest in the process. Over ten ADESCOs and water boards (Juntas de agua) were
initially identified in the four project municipalities. A series of workshops and field activities
were organized to strengthen awareness of environmental legislation, promote the source-to-
                                                            
27
 In Salvadoran municipalities, ordinances may not be officially adopted during the project’s lifetime. However they
were presented to citizens at public events supported by local authorities in May 2019.

42 
 ICWL Final Report

sea approach and stress the importance of biodiversity conservation, as well as livelihood
sustainability and gender considerations. As the process evolved, only 5 ADESCOs remained
interested. Two of them were fully restructured and now function with an up-to-date legal
status and a newly reelected gender-balanced management board. Specific environmental
protection objectives and gender considerations were also included their bylaws and action
plans.

The following table summarizes local governance results for each Salvadoran municipality.

Local governance results in El Salvador

Municipality Results
Concepción de 2 ADESCOs’ internal regulation revised : Carbones and Cueva
Oriente UAM annual environmental work plan revised
Municipal Women Unit annual work plan revised
Municipal environmental ordinance approved
El Sauce 1 ADESCO’s internal regulation revised: El Talpetate
UAM annual environmental work plan revised
Municipal environmental ordinance approved
Pasaquina 1 ADESCO’s internal regulations revised: El Amatillo
UAM annual environmental work plan
Municipal environmental ordinance revised
San Alejo 1 ADESCO’s internal regulation revised: Los Jiotes
UAM annual environmental work plan revised
Municipal environmental ordinance revised

43 
 ICWL Final Report

IV. Crosscutting Issues

Teaching young people, changing their mindset is easier than changing an adult who has been
dragging habits for years. With youth we can try new experiences to set what we have learned
into action.

Fatima Dalila Rubí, former ICF park ranger, Honduras

We wanted to see what men were doing, and then we stayed. We like to be there, we entertain
ourselves. Before we wouldn’t do anything.

Flor Idalia Rodriguez, La Galera Cooperative, San Cayetano, El Salvador

ER4 Climate vulnerability of coastal and watershed communities reduced through

adaptation-based mitigation approach

Coastal-zone communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change, since they are strongly
affected by floods, tropical storms and sea level rise. In the Goascorán watershed, this
vulnerability is increased by recurrent droughts that threaten farmer’s harvests and water
supply. Climate-change adaptation was thus streamlined throughout the ICWL project as a
crosscutting issue to support local communities’ adaptation to new climate challenges, through
activities reported under ER 1, 2 and 3. Improved agricultural practices such as banning burns
and installing irrigation systems for instance make for more resilient farms. Restoring
mangrove forests also provides communities with a natural barrier against coastal erosion and
high tides. Thanks to the implementation of a coastal blue carbon methodology, carbon stocks
contained in mangrove ecosystems of the Gulf of Fonseca were measured, demonstrating their
great climate change mitigation capacity, in addition to adaptation opportunities, thus
advocating for their reinforced protection.

Gender and youth

 
Women lead the Chismuyo Bay mangrove reforestation campaigns

44 
 ICWL Final Report

Biodiversity conservation depends on the commitment of both men and women from local
communities to the highest institutional level. Yet women are often excluded from decision
making and management process. Youth also plays a crucial role in societal change, by adopting
new attitudes and habits. The ICWL project promoted the effective integration of gender
issues and youth inclusion across project activities to bridge the gender gap and promote
behavioral change.

In community microfinance, women and youth are encouraged to participate in the

association’s decision-making, as well as in productive activities. Although male membership
remained slightly dominant (56%), 7 associations include 50% or more female members.
Additionally, 43% of executive positions have been attributed to women overall. On the other
hand, youth membership increased from 12% at the end of October 2018 to 17% in May 2019.

The ICWL project also strived to create

Woman harvesting sweet pepper in San Cayetano, El
Salvador
economic opportunities for women. Success
stories include a group of four women who
used seed funding awarded to the microfinance
mechanism Pescadores Bendición de Dios in
Playa Grande, Nacaome to set up a small
grocery store. Value chains such as vegetable
production and salt processing allowed creating
jobs specifically for women. Another example
of gender inclusion was achieved in Los Jiotes,
where 50% of the workers involved in the
elevated trail’s rehabilitation were young
women, who were taught construction
techniques rarely practiced by women in the
area.

Women and youth participation was promoted in mangrove reforestation activities in

Honduras and El Salvador. In Chismuyo Bay, 45% of participants were women and 74% youths.
Although men still were a majority, 60% of about ten reforesting teams were led by women.
The campaign, as well as most biological monitoring activities in Chismuyo Bay, were also
supported by a group of 25 voluntary park rangers from Playa Grande, of which 20 are under
30 year old.

Women are encouraged to take a leadership role in municipal and community-based

governance activities as well. In El Salvador, Municipal Gender Units were invited to join
training sessions along with Environmental Units. In Barrancones, six women are involved in
the PLAS Committee. Their perspective as sea shells extractors and key contribution to fish
processing and sales is taken into account to improve the plan. Overall, the female
participation target that was set for governance activities was reached with 30% women.

Specific activities are implemented to raise children and youths awareness of the importance of
biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. In 2018, 80 boys and girls participated to the elaboration
of wall paintings depicting wetlands biodiversity in El Conchal community center in Honduras
and Los Jiotes interpretation center in El Salvador to celebrate World Wetlands Day, the 25th
anniversary of the Convention on Biological biodiversity and World Oceans Day in 2018.

Two environmental festivals were organized in Cubulero, Honduras and Pasaquina, El Salvador
in 2018. In both locations, educative games and cultural performance s were organized to
explain concepts such as watershed, biodiversity and protected areas. 750 children and 250

45 
 ICWL Final Report

adults were involved in total, with the support of municipal authorities and implementing
partners.

FUNSALPRODESE’s environmental education campaign in 11 schools of El Sauce, Concepción

de Oriente, Pasaquina and San Alejo taught 231 boys and girls about the watershed, its various
components and the importance of the Goascorán River for local communities’ livelihoods,
using an environmental education specifically designed within the ICWL project.

In total, over at least 286 children (139 girls) and 23 students (8 women) were involved in
classes and training in the ICWL project in Honduras and El Salvador. Another 35 teachers
(mostly women, only 5 men) were also trained in environmental education, thus allowing for
further replication.

 
Pupils of the El Molino School receive environmental education in Concepción de Oriente, El Salvador

Knowledge management

The ICWL project promoted knowledge and experience exchange among beneficiaries and
implementing partners in all project components. Exchanges were held with park rangers, rural
microfinance associations, governance structures and local authorities within and beyond the
project area. Community Learning Activities (CLA) were also carried out to strengthen
implementing partners’ project management capacity and their understanding of key
environmental and social inclusion concepts. CLA covered the following topics: Monitoring,
Evaluation and Learning; Theory of change; Protected Area and Genetic Resources Legislation;
Biological Monitoring; Documentary photography; Source-to-sea Watershed management;
Women’s Leadership and New Masculinity.

In total, 1463 people were trained within the ICWL project, including microfinance
associations, governance structures, municipalities and national institutions, local NGOs,
children, students, park rangers, among others. Women represent 41% of these trained
beneficiaries, and youth 38%.

Communication and outreach

46 
 ICWL Final Report

The ICWL Project also participated in large public events in Honduras and El Salvador to
promote biodiversity conservation, such as the IV edition of the Agromarket Convention in
San Pedro Sula which involved over 3,000 people, the Honduras Megadiversa event held in
Tegucigalpa to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on Biological biodiversity and
USAID’s ESaccion campaign in San Salvador.

IUCN published a voluntary contribution on the Oceans Conference website to showcase the
ICWL project’s contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 14 and included the Gulf of
Fonseca in the Plastic Forest interactive online map, which is meant to document and raise
awareness of plastic waste affecting mangrove worldwide.

 
The ICWL project raised awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems at USAID's ESaccion campaign in
San Salvador in December 2018

Project activities were published on social networks to reach out to the broader public. The
ICWL Facebook page received over 1800 likes, mostly by young adults between 25 and 31
years old (49% women overall). Each post was seen between 300 and 400 times on average,
with a record 39,000 people for a story published on World Women Day in March 2019.

A series of educational tools were designed and distributed to raise awareness and
environmental issues and promote responsible behaviors, including:

Educational materials to disseminate key concepts and information

 A short educative story presenting the source-to-sea approach
 A vulgarized version of the SAPZsurH management plan
 Three posters presenting the main findings of biological monitoring activities

Four animations on the ICWL project objectives and main activities:

 Goascorán Watershed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRh7II_6TqE

47 
 ICWL Final Report

 Livelihoods: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poiNbMRm5gk
 Source-to-sea approach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47d56VDN3AY
 Protected areas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCcbVWBHYsM

Seven videos on rural microfinance mechanisms:

 FUNDER staff Kenia Cruz’ interview on rural microfinance mechanisms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rO7gXRYwLw
 Fishing alternatives in Bahía de Chismuyo, Honduras:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n0Yxt1HytU
 Sustainable farming in La Unión, El Salvador:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbmwB5Tlr7g
 La Chácara fishing group in La Unión Bay, El Salvador:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBgmbw3yqWQ
 Women of the salt producers group in La Brea, Honduras:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo8Dz-o7SGE&t=1s
 Sustainable farming in El Cubulero, Honduras:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwxSpzFJe-c
 Community microfinance associations in the ICWL project:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8b_26Nncl8

Three videos on biological monitoring:

 Mangrove Forest: Crocodile Habitat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0-ogTSwk_s
 Mangrove Forest: Crocodile Habitat (long version):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DneLmuvJrU
 Getting to know the Gulf of Fonseca:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kUSJRQgvuk

Two story maps:

 Bird monitoring: 
http://iucn.cr/arcgis/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=22c92b85de3d4b118742320e6c
33b5e1
 Crocodile monitoring: 
http://iucn.cr/arcgis/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=3b3584d3f50844ca92707973089f2
b76 

One success story and two learning stories (see Annexes):

 “Production diversification as a commitment for livelihood and environmental
improvement”, on Will Cárcamo’s experience as a member of a microfinance
mechanism in Alianza, Honduras
 “Field School, schools of life”, on René Garcia’s experience with improved agricultural
practices in San Alejo, El Salvador
 “Friends of the Mangrove: Good governance for the conservation and co-management
of protected areas”, on Chismuyo Bay mangrove reforestation campaign

48 
 ICWL Final Report
 
4. INDICATORS

Indicator
Indicator 1: EG.10.2-2 Number of hectares of
biologically significant areas under improved natural
resource management as a result of USG assistance
Indicator 2: EG 10.2-3 Number of people with
improved economic benefits derived from
300 people (40%
sustainable natural resource management and/or
biodiversity conservation as a result of USG
assistance
Indicator 3: EG 10.2-5 Number of laws, policies, or
regulations that addresses biodiversity conservation
and/or other environmental themes officially
proposed, adopted, or implemented as a result of
USG assistance
Indicator 4: Number of organizations implementing
plans, agreements, strategies to improve sustainable
55 organizations
management of natural resources and protection of
biodiversity
Indicator 5: EG.10.2-4 Number of people trained in
500 people (30%
sustainable natural resources management and/or
biodiversity conservation.
Indicator 6: EG.10.2-6 Number of people that apply
improved conservation law enforcement practices
as a result of USG assistance
Indicator 7: Estimated of CO2 reduced,
sequestered, or avoided in metric tons through the
restoration of mangrove
28
 The ICWL project established the extension of the project intervention area according to a study carried out by ICMARES in 2016, which states that mangrove cover amounts to 6,029.25 ha in
La Unión Bay, which were roughly added to the extension of the Chismuyo Bay Protected Area (i.e. 31,616.20 Ha) stated in its management plan.
Cumulative by May
LOP Target Means of verification
2019
37,000 (About
Reports on Management Effectiveness Assessment of Chismuyo and La
37,00028ha 17,000 ha of
Unión bays
mangrove)
716 people (44% 716 members of 31 community microfinance associations. Their economic
women) woman) benefit is measured on the basis of association’s increase in capital.
14 documents 1 co-management agreement implemented for AMH/E Chismuyo
1 AMH/E Chismuyo biennial operative plan for 2018-2019 implemented
1 COAL legally established to implement the Gulf of Fonseca PDLS
14 documents (5 proposed, 3 3 COCOCOs certificates of incorporation
adopted, 6 1 PLAS revised for the Barrancones community
implemented) 7 environmental municipal ordinances updated, (of which three adopted)
31 Microfinance associations’ business performance agreements
4 COCOCOs and 5 ADESCOs legal status
7 municipal environmental units work plans
51 organizations
I COAL certificate of incorporation
I AGRACC Roundtable and I Task Force strategic plan
I PLAS committee with revised plan in Barrancones
ICWL database of trained beneficiaries , including:
-Microfinance associations members (361)
-Community governance structures members (over 120)
1463 people (604
-Municipalities officials (over 70)
women) women, 557 youths)
-National institutions officials (about 60)
-Universities and schools students (over 300)
-Others (local NGOs and other stakeholders)
3 park rangers employed by MARN, 1 employed by ICF
34 people (6 1 employed by FUNSALPRODESE, 2 employed by CODDEFFAGOLF
29 people
women) 2 employed by Alianza municipality
25 voluntary park rangers in Playa Grande, Nacaome.
Estimation carried out by UICN on the basis of the number of 129.5
tCO2eq: 6732 8806 tCO2eq
hectares of reforested mangrove areas
49 
 ICWL Final Report
 
5. ANNEXES: SUCCESS AND LEARNING STORIES

I. “Friends of the Mangrove: Good governance for the conservation and co-management of protected
areas”, on Chismuyo Bay mangrove reforestation campaign  

II. “Production diversification as a commitment for livelihood and environmental improvement”, on Will
Cárcamo’s experience as a member of a microfinance mechanism in Alianza, Honduras

III. “Field School, schools of life”, on René Garcia’s experience with improved agricultural practices in San
Alejo, El Salvador

50 
 SUCCESS STORY
IMPROVED COASTAL WATERSHEDS AND LIVELIHOODS PROJECT
Friends of the Mangrove: Good governance for conservation and co-management
of protected areas
Planting catkin and creating red mangrove
nurseries joins women, men and youth
together in Nacaome and Alianza to
reforest and restore Bahia de Chismuyo in
Honduras.
“I joined a reforestation campaign because of the
conditions of the mangrove; it has been totally
deforested by people who cut down trees and use
timber as a business and seashore owners who are
expanding and chopping them down. We are
fishermen and our families depend on it, on the
mangrove; that is where we get our daily food from.
The mangrove provides us with oxygen and food, and
it shelters all types of species: birds, raccoons,
oysters and fish. The mangrove has always been
there, it has always existed, if the mangrove is in good
shape, we people are fine. If we join efforts, the three
communities together may restore it, we can work hard
to completely restore the mangrove. It is so beautiful to
see the enthusiasm and happiness of people when
planting, becoming aware of the damage that the
mangrove is bearing, and doing something about it.
Same as we need the mangrove, the mangrove needs
us; it is our way of survival.” José
MendozaMatamoros, president of the Community
Consultative Committee (COCOCO) in Playa Grande,
La Brea and Agua Fria, and reforestation campaign
coordinator
DE LA CUENCA A LA COSTA
A group of 101 people from 4 communities in Bahia de Chismuyo
(La Brea, Playa Grande, Estero and Llano Largo) acknowledged the
importance of the mangrove as a unique and complex ecosystem
that is a source of life, protection and livelihoods for their
communities, and joined the “Friends of the Mangrove” initiative to
put their efforts at the service of the mangrove conservation and
co-management of protected areas.
Their goal: to take advantage of the catkin’s sprouting period (red
mangrove seed, Rhizophora mangle), collect it, and embark into a
reforestation campaign that involves women, men and youth from
the communities to assure mangrove conservation. Rhizophora
mangle was the species selected, as it is the most devastated
because of its great value for construction and firewood uses.
The training process for the communities is led by the Committee
for Defense and Development of Flora and Fauna in the Gulf of
Fonseca (CODDEFFAGOLF) with the support from the Forest
Conservation Institute in Honduras (ICF), as part of the actions of
the Improved Coastal Watershed and Livelihoods Project.
The first step is to make use of governance spaces to strengthen
capacities in the communities, encouraging their leadership, and
aiming community management focused on resource conservation
and co-management of protected areas. Thus, three (3) forest
Community Consultative Committees (COCOCOS) have been
reinforced: "El Conchal", with 23 leaders from the communities in
Photos:: Wanda Villeda / UICN
Calicanto, Muruhuaca, La Ceiba, Llano Largo, El Conchal Playa Grande
and Valle Nuevo; "El Estero", with 26 leaders from the communities in
San Pedro Calero, El Estero, El Cubulero and Aceituno; and "Chismuyo",
with 28 leaders from the communities Playa Grande, Agua Fria and La
Brea. The members of these structures receive training and begin
planning actions to help them become stronger as a community and to
make them able to recover the mangrove. This is how the “Friends of the
Mangrove” campaign originated.
Training and preparation actions are carried out to be ready for the
season in August and September, which is when the catkins come to
their peak; and once mature, they can be collected to begin the
reforestation effort. Participants receive training on reforestation
techniques, they define spaces to work on, using geo-referenced data
from the Forest Conservation Institute, and they begin to get prepared
for the work season, which lasts about a month. Groups of catkin
collectors and planters are organized, and group coordinators are
appointed to define routes and working schedules.
“We used to be only nineteen people at the beginning. We were
already using the catkin, but with the training from CODDEFFAGOLF
we started to learn better ways to do it, how to follow up our work,
and how to take care of those fifty hectares we have reforested in this
sector. I’m a member of the Consultative Committee, we know the
mangrove, we know we have craw fish, fish, and that these activities
we are carrying out protect the environment, the air we get is more
pure, cleaner, and that is why we get organized as a COCOCO to
take care of reforestation. How could we get food for our families if
the mangrove were deforested? We depend on it, it’s a source of
labor for our communities.” María Santiago Martínez, reforestation
campaign coordinator at the community in Playa Grande.
There is a close link between livelihoods and the mangrove in Bahia de
Chismuyo. Fishermen are very much aware of this since they directly
depend on the mangrove’s health to survive and obtain goods and
services from it.
“We work happy and pleased, with people we had
never spoken to in our communities before. Now we
spend time together and they ask us: ´When are we
going back? We´re looking forward to it, we are going
to devote more of our work days to take care of
reforesting because it´s a benefit for all of us who
need it.” María Santiago Martínez, restoration
activities coordinator in the community at Playa
Grande.
During the reforestation campaign, 283,140 catkins
were planted, and 3 nurseries were set up, with 8,200
catkins that are to be planted next year. According to
data provided by the Forest Conservation Institute, 44.2
hectares were planted during the activity at the
mangrove, which encloses the communities La Brea,
Playa Grande, El Estero, and Llano Largo. Active
participation of 101 people, 42 men, 23 women and 33
youth during the activity, and strengthening governance
structures and environmental education activities make
up the first integration effort of the governance
instances that contribute to the mangrove restoration for
the Project, strengthening bonds among people and
communities to preserve the mangrove and protected
areas.
“I joined this reforestation campaign because it is
important for our communities to reforest the areas
that are more seriously damaged, and it sets an
example for us to continue teaching our children the
importance of taking care of Bahia de Chismuyo. I
love my place, it is important to nurture our area and
keep it beautiful. This action makes us all winners:
we take care of the mangrove, we get jobs for
people in the area and we help them by providing
them with income, and we teach the communities
the importance of reforestation and care of Bahia de
Chismuyo. Being a member of the Consultative
Committee is one of the nicest experiences we could
have, because we were actually able to see the
communities working on their own for the same
purpose.” Dalila Rubí, park ranger, Bahia de
Chismuyo.
A LEARNING STORY
IMPROVED COASTAL WATERSHEDS AND LIVELIHOODS PROJECT
Diversification of production as an effort to improve livelihoods, environmental
conservation and biodiversity in the Goascorán Lower Watershed
Will Cárcamo is a farmer in Alianza, Valle, DE LA CUENCA A LA COSTA
Community micro-finance groups are community-based financial
who works 2 km away from the mangroves mechanisms aimed to foster community savings and credit to
improve livelihoods among families. They have been promoted by
in Bahía de Chismuyo in Honduras, and the co-implementing organization FUNDER around the country,
about 400 meters afar several creeks. Even through the Improved Coastal Watershed and Livelihoods Project.
For the first time, it is working on including an environmental
though he has been familiar with the responsibility component into its bylaws, with environmental
mangrove all his life, it is not until now with activities contributing to preserve biodiversity defined by its own
the intervention of the Improved Coastal members. The project currently has 592 members (342 men, 250
women, and 85 youth) from the various community micro-finance
Watershed and Livelihoods Project that he groups and agribusinesses in El Salvador and Honduras.
has recognized the importance of the
mangroves and the damage that farming
without taking the environment into
consideration may cause to them and to the
people directly depending on them.

This has been accomplished by providing a series of training

courses on administration and community micro-finance
mechanisms management, good agricultural practices, such as
appropriate handling of empty plastic containers, diversification of
agricultural products, eliminating the use of red-label chemical
products, collecting and taking advantage of recyclable materials,
and, above all, generating employment for young people who
“Our experience with the Project has been good, have been involved in logging the mangroves, and inserting them
because it has made our mind sets change on issues into the farming activities generated by agribusinesses.
such as preserving natural resources. Now I know how
“We have improved the environment by collecting trash and
to contribute to avoid harming animals, trees, and
empty chemical containers. This is somehow helping us
water that runs to the river.”
prevent polluting the water that goes to the Goascoran River.
Now that I know about the damage that can be caused to the
mangrove, I am helping by not buying wood from the youth that
make a living from that, and I have employed several of them to
grow pumpkin and plantain. At the beginning it was difficult to
find workers for farming activities; but now that the Project is in
our communities, we do find them.”
 “My experience has been good because we young
people are having the opportunity to get trained and
participate in several activities such as handling
trash and empty chemical product containers. We
have received training on good agricultural
practices, and we have learned how to take care of
activities without causing problems to nature. Now
that more jobs have been created in the area, I have
decided to stay and not to get employed on board of
a ship; several young people like me have joined
honest work activities, such as agriculture and
livestock farming”. Kevin Cárcamo, Mr. Will Cárcamo’s
son.
This has become a learning experience for FUNDER
itself, and it has challenged this organization to include
and develop more strategies as part of their training
courses and follow up activities to continue
strengthening the links between livelihoods and
There is no doubt that the Project has begun positioning the topic of
biodiversity. A proof of this is that they are already
biodiversity conservation as an important matter for the population,
planning an activity with the communities to collect all
and it has contributed to teach this, particularly to those that do not
empty containers from chemical farming products
directly depend on the mangrove. The department of Valle in
used near the mangroves in Honduras, and to donate
Honduras is one of the poorest in the country, where the main issue for
them to the Campo Limpio program at the CropLife
those living there is to find economic activities to survive. Migration
company to be recycled.
rates are high, and so is vulnerability. Logging the mangrove for self
The challenge continues to be developing mechanisms
consumption and profit is a reality, and this is also true for overfishing,
to help create closer links between production,
which affects breeding, and results in inappropriate exploitation of
livelihoods and mangrove conservation, and to make
fishing in the mangrove.
them sustainable beyond the Project intervention.
This is why Funder has included awareness creating and training
spaces for its members, so that they can understand it is possible to
decrease pressure generated on ecosystems by using good
agricultural practices and implementing actions that foster their
conservation. Such is the case of initiatives like agribusiness and crop
diversification, which are an opportunity to call the attention of the
population and to offer them a choice to improve their livelihoods and
link them closer to ecosystem conservation.

“Taking care of the mangrove is very important, and

it is good to learn what the mangrove gives to us,
which is what makes us protect it.” Will Carcamo

Photos: FUNDER
Carlos Palma y Wanda Villeda / UICN
 A LEARNING STORY
IMPROVED COASTAL WATERSHEDS AND LIVELIHOODS PROJECT
A field school becomes a life-changing experience to generate income and
preserve biodiversity and the environment
Using environmentally friendly best
agricultural practices has been the first step
for René García, a 22 year old from San
Alejo, El Salvador, to change his life and his
way of farming, as a result of his learning
process in field schools.
“I like everything, especially learning how to prepare
organic products against insects, because when you
eat a product, it is healthy, and you’re not using too
many chemicals; when you use a chemical you may
feel it doesn’t harm you, but at the end, you are being
harmed, and if you make organic preparations, like, if
I toss it today, I can cut and eat the produce I’m
cultivating as early as the next day, or even today.
They have taught me how to cultivate tilapia, which
was null in my mind; we have learned quite a lot. What
I would mostly like would be to see people changing,
seeing farmers stop applying so many chemicals. It
would be more than good: not applying so many
chemicals, not burning the parcels; because we are
causing problems to the environment. That´s why I
think so much water pours around here lately.”
René is an example of a dedicated and hard work person,
who has depended on farming to survive since he was very
little. Together with his grandfather and grandmother, they
have cultivated their own lands for a lifetime.
“Farming has always been part Aof
DE LA CUENCA my life since I was little,
LA COSTA
growing maize with my grandfather, growing beans,and
watermelons; so far, we have always been cultivating. Thank
God, we have done quite well, so there we are, always farming.
Things go well because if we plant maize, we get a very good
yield, same is for watermelons. We sort of do well with
watermelons because when the price is good we make a good
sale, and we get back the good little money we invested, so we
are able to make some profit.”
Several months ago, René joined the field school in Chicaguito, an
environmental friendly production learning space promoted by the
organization Funsalprodeseco, an executing partner for the
Improved Coastal Watershed and Livelihoods Project, where
members of the communities are able to put ecological methods
into practice using demonstrative parcels to learn techniques that
benefit the environment and improve their productivity. Over
different working sessions, trainees start learning skills, including
correct ways to use soil, techniques to avoid erosion and overuse,
improvement of productivity, use of good agricultural practices,
and other measures related to decreasing the use of chemicals on
crops. There are currently 37 people in two field schools located at
Chicaguito in San Alejo, and Ojos de Agua in Concepción de
Oriente. René has been one of the trainees applying all his learning
in his own lands, and improving the way to manage his crops and
wisely using all the resources around him. And though he has had
challenges, which have even made him think about leaving his
country, he has found support in Funsalprodese and the project to
continue working.
“About two years ago I tried to travel to the States, looking for the
American dream, to see if my family’s economy could change a little;
but it is a harsh trip to be done, so we decided to stay farming here.
Last year I had a problem with the greenhouse tarp; I had the
greenhouse, but I did not have the original tarp. Anyway, I grew chili
peppers, but by this season (October), the greenhouse fell apart,
half of the plants got dry, 250 plants dried out; I probably sew the tarp
at least 5 times, we struggled with that, but we made our way out,
and even when I recovered the money I had invested, it was not that
big of a profit; last year, things went bad. But now that I got a donated
tarp, things are different. It’s necessary to work hard, not many plants
fit inside, but the production I get, I mean, we’re talking about 25
sacs every 8 days when the plant is going through good production;
and the squash orchard, we have been cultivating 7 pails of squash,
2 of beans, 2 of small pumpkins; so a family may sustain quite well
with that. I also received help to get a fish tank and we are cultivating
fresh water tilapia, an organic watermelon orchard, and things went
well growing it; we have done well in everything that has to do with
the project. They are helping me and we are making very good
improvements, and we are also making our part of the effort as a
family.”

René´s parcel is now an example for the community

because it promotes productive diversification (with 3
different crops: squash, small pumpkin and beans),
making better use of soil, providing options for
livelihoods –should one of the crops failed–, and
promoting the use of organic repellents that do not
affect the environment.

In addition to René’s insertion to the education process in the field

schools, he also received a donation of a tarp for the green house to
replace the one he had lost as a result of bad weather, and he received
help to build a fish tank to breed tilapia, where he’s learning appropriate
growth and feeding techniques. Waste water from the tanks is used to
irrigate the crops, enhancing efficient use of rain water. Thinking about
the future and based on possible climate changes and the possibility of
tough rainy seasons like the one he went through last year, he has
decided to try creating a wind barrier with bamboo, which besides
protecting his harvest, will help him fix organic matter in the soil that is
otherwise washed away by the rain. This will also improve water filtration
capabilities, because of the bamboo root system, and it will permanently
provide wood to be used in their wooden structures and constructions,
while avoiding deforestation of native trees in the area.
“What I used to do before was to toss chemicals on
the crops. I used strong venoms, and I used to
harvest and send the produce to the market in the
afternoon or the morning after. It seems to be good
for us because we are able to send our produce out
for sale, but one is harming people, damaging them
with so many chemicals in the produce. The way we
are doing it now, though, using organic mixtures,
makes me feel we are doing something very well.
The product is the same, but you feel more confident
to eat it; one feels it is not going to harm you that
much.”
According to data René has collected himself, now that he has
moved away from using chemicals, organic repellents have been a
success because of their contribution to the environment and his
economic investment. In the past, he used to apply a gallon and a
half of pure chemicals on a 3 month harvest, representing an
expense of 155 dollars. Now, using sulpho-calcium (a natural
repellent made of sulphur, lime, and water), even when he needs to
use 3 gallons and a half for the harvest, he only spends about 10
dollars, which reduces his expenditures by 80%. Even his wife has
now joined the business, and she’s in charge of selling the products
in downtown La Unión, which has made them decrease their costs
of having middlemen buy their produce; the product of their parcel
goes directly to the market now. In addition, this natural repellent
helps preserve ecological balance of populations since it does not
kill insects; it only drives them off, while it doesn’t repel beneficial
insects, such as bees.
“I was cleaning the small pumpkin orchard with a
fellow, and he asked me: “What do you keep those
sick plants for?” (I had about 500 holes and around
60 sick plants). So I told him: “Let’s leave them there
because we’re going to try a preparation they just
taught me how to make and we´ll see how it works. I
applied it and I went back a few days later with this
guy, who had told me to draw out the plants. He was
surprised! So he told me: “Do you have any more of
that?” And I answered I did, but it was still raw, we
needed to cook it before we could apply it. We kept
on observing and we saw things were improving.
Several guys here in Guacamayera have seen me
tossing the organic fertilizer on the plants; quite a
few of them are doing the same and they are now
farming using organic products; everything is good.
After Funsal taught me, I have taught around 15
young men how to make the preparations, and how
to make foliar products, and if they continued
applying them, if everyone growing vegetables did
the same, everything we harvested would be
organic and it would be better for us and for the
planet. We must do it wholeheartedly!”

So it is not only the productive part which has improved for René,
but its relationship with the environment and biodiversity that
surrounds him, which is much better; and so it is his knowledge on
the risks of pesticides for humans. He also shares his knowledge
with the people around him and, thus, he becomes a multiplicative
agent among other young farmers.
Photos: Ramiro Vásquez / FUNSALPRODESE
Carlos Palma y Wanda Villeda / UICN