Community Eco Tourism in The Bajo Lempa - FINAL-1

Community Ecotourism in the Bajo Lempa
Megan Christenson, Emily Hanks, Sarah Schwid, and Steven Wuerth Edited by Adele Negro
The Monterey Institute of International Studies Team Monterey 5

2
Acknowledgements
The environmental team of Team Monterey 5 would like to express its sincere gratitude towards the people of the Bajo Lempa for their warmth, kindness and hospitality throughout our time in El Salvador. We would also like to thank Asociacin Mangle and La Coordinadora for their logistical support in connecting us with Don Jos Ofilio Herrera and Jorge Garca. Jorge was instrumental in the effectiveness of our field research and we would have not been successful without his assistance. Don Ofilios enthusiasm and vision were also key elements in moving toward our mutual goals. We would like to thank Ceiba Doblado, El Llano, San Juan del Gozo, Aguacate, and Isla de Mendez for welcoming us into their communities and allowing us to host meetings in each community. We also thank our drivers for their patience, knowledge and companionship and for making our experience driving through El Salvador as smooth as possible. Chema also made us feel welcomed and was more than willing to help with any question or request. He also acted as a very helpful and effective liaison between Team Monterey, La Coordinadora and Asociacin Mangle. The staff at La Coordinadora, the building that acted as our home base, also made us feel welcomed and supported. We would like to thank the staff of Ascociacin Mangle for their time, expertise and use of their facilities and materials throughout our stay. We would also like to thank our resident interpreter and translator, Antonio Armendriz, for his tireless work and commitment to each groups project and for facilitating smooth communication between the team, local communities, Asociacin Mangle and La Coordinadora. We express our sincere thanks and gratitude to our fearless leader, Professor Adele Negro, whose advice, patience, and knowledge allowed us to confidently move forward with our project with an attitude of solidarity toward everyone with whom we worked.
Project Summary
The Bajo Lempa region of El Salvador, specifically Zone 1, is situated in the coastal south of the country and provides habitats for a diverse group of wildlife. The area is also prone to experiencing the adverse effects of hurricanes and flooding during the rainy season, which lasts from May to October. The general population of Zone 1 resides between the Jiquilisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, an area that is annually affected by hurricanes and flooding. Many of the people in Zone 1 live in poverty and do not have the resources to build safe shelters or homes that can withstand the type of damage caused by these natural disasters. Oftentimes, certain families must rebuild their homes after the wet season. Despite these challenges, there is a high level of community involvement through La Coordinadora and Asociacin Mangle. Each community in Zone 1 has its own ADESCO (Community Development Association), or group of community leaders, which meets regularly with the ADESCOs of the other communities to address various issues, including ways to supplement the income of the communities in Zone 1. The creation of an ecotourism business consisting of a network of ecotourism stops throughout the Zone has sprouted from these meetings. During its three-week period on the ground in El Salvador, the Environmental Team of Team Monterey 5 was tasked with helping to facilitate the process of designing a community

3 ecotourism network, as well as reporting its observations and making recommendations. The methodology included meeting with the ADESCOs of Isla de Mendez, El Aguacate, Ceiba Doblado, San Juan del Gozo and El Llano to gather information concerning the goals, challenges and planning of the ecotourism network. The team traveled to each community in order to gain an understanding of each communitys situation and conduct community-mapping workshops. The questionnaires, maps and workshops served as tools for both Team Monterey and the communities in Zone 1. Through the use of these tools, the communities were able to reflect on the feasibility of their goals and create a plan to present to potential project funders. For its part, Team Monterey was able to offer recommendations for each community and for Zone 1 as a whole, which were based upon observations taken from the activities and in meetings. The team found that the communities of Zone 1 are committed to creating a community ecotourism network in order to supplement their income. They responded positively to the workshops and other activities, which provided them with an opportunity to reflect upon and think critically about the communities in which they live as well as to create a feasible, sustainable plan for the future. The communities face some obstacles, namely a lack of immediate funding and resources, but there are small steps that each community can take immediately to begin the process of creating the ecotourism network. A high level of organization that already exists among the communities of Zone 1 will make it easier to continue moving forward; however the ADESCOs and Asociacin Mangle, like all community organizations, must face the ongoing challenge of maintaining clear lines of communication between all groups involved in the project. This report outlines the methodology, the observations and findings, an analysis of those findings, and, finally, our recommendations and next steps for Zone 1 in their ecotourism venture.
Methodology
Upon arriving in Ciudad Romero, El Salvador, and over the course of the first week, we met with la Junta Directiva of Asociacin Mangle as well as with the ADESCO of Isla de Mendez and community members of Zone 1. These meetings helped synthesize our knowledge of ecotourism and the issues surrounding it in Zone 1, and also served as the setting in which the team was able to plan its next steps in the community ecotourism project. We formulated the following four questions which shaped our methodology: 1. What does Zone 1 hope to achieve through community ecotourism? 2. Does community capacity exist for a profitable tourist route in Zone 1, taking into count the goals of each community? 3. How do we give support to community organizations so that they have the capacity to develop community ecoturism in Zone 1? 4. How do we help the communities in Zone 1 organize themselves?

4 In order to answer these questions, we carried out the following activities to gather relevant information. Overview of Principal Activities: Meet all members of the Junta Directiva of Asociacin Mangle and other interested parties. Become acquainted with Isla de Mndez and the Baha de Jiquilisco by participating in tourist activities (tours of the Bay, visits to different lagoons and mangrove inlets, the release of newly hatched sea turtles, walks through each town,). Create a questionnaire about community ecotourism for the five communities in Zone 1: Isla de Mndez, Ceiba Doblado, San Juan del Gozo, El Llano, and Aguacate. The questionnaire consisted of five questions about the strengths, challenges, and weaknesses in each community. (See Appendix 1.) Community Mapping (See Appendix 2) o This activity helped each community in Zone 1 understand its vision of community ecotourism. We then analyzed the results of the meetings.
The community mapping activity included the following steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Introductions, with a small icebreaker consisting of the question, What can your community offer to tourists? Community members drew a map of what their community looks like presently. The drawing was discussed with community members. Community members added a different color to the present map to indicate what they would like their community to look like in the future in regards to ecotourism. The top 3 future projects were prioritized. Strategic questions about the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of each community were asked.
Proposed recommendations in the short- medium-, and long-term for Zone1 that were based on the community mapping activity. (See Appendix 3) We designed a workshop based upon our analysis of the meeting results. The workshop provided the team with an opportunity to teach the group the basics of planning a project for the future. Each community chose one of its mid- to long-term goals and wrote out a basic work plan with guidance from the workshop packet described below.
These activities were an important means to answering our aforementioned questions and they contributed to our analysis and recommendations. The primary activity of community

5 mapping was essential due to the fact that it allowed each community member who attended to participate regardless of his or her literacy levels or education. Once we worked with each community and found that at least one person in each community could read and write, we were able to organize the workshop in such a way that those involved would write out their project plan based on one of the goals they determined during the mapping meeting. We provided each community with a packet of information (see Appendix 4), including the four basic questions of project planning, What? Who? How? When?, which each community answered. We then emphasized the importance of answering these questions before starting a project or asking for funding. To our knowledge, this was the first time an activity of this nature was conducted with the communities. For the first time, they were able to visualize what it meant to be working within the framework of community ecotourism. It was a positive experience for all involved as noted from the feedback of the community members.
General Observations
Openness and Enthusiasm in Each Community Each town that we visited in Zone 1 was eager to discuss community ecotourism and welcomed our planned activities with great enthusiasm. For example, when we traveled to El Llano, they had fully prepared for our mapping activity beforehand by preparing their own smaller map to help guide them through the process. The participation of young adults in our meetings was also very impressive. They seemed very interested in the development of their community and in the conservation of natural resources. At one point in San Juan del Gozo two young community members joined the meeting and took over the mapping activity by drawing certain aspects of their community. Many ADESCOs within the area also have a youth committee, which encourages youth involvement in project planning, education, and community development. With respect to Zone 1s openness to community ecotourism, we believe that each community is indeed very interested in the concept. It is also known throughout the Zone that community ecotourism has the potential generate alternative means of income, employment opportunities, and also help to conserve the ecosystem of the Jiquilisco biosphere. For instance, in Ceiba Doblado, the women we met with demonstrated a clear understanding of the importance and extrinsic value of the tourists that travel past their town on the newly constructed highway. Ecotourism is Seasonal Because of the great variance in rainfall and temperature in the Bajo Lempa region, tourism is best described as a seasonal industry. From about May - October, also known as the wet season, hurricanes and tropical storms can discourage tourists from visiting coastal areas.

6
Each of the 5 towns we interviewed in Zone 1 named seasonal flooding as their biggest obstacle; not only to development, but also to attracting tourists. Currently, there is little or inadequate infrastructure in place throughout the Zone to prevent damage from floods and storms. Without well-structured accommodations, such as clean drains, the effects of the wet season could carry over into the dry season, thus hindering the potential success of ecotourism. For example, many sea turtles hatch from their nests during the wet season months. The release of the newly hatched sea turtles is a very large tourist attraction, and if the communities in Zone 1 are otherwise occupied with flooding and damage control, they will not be able to host or offer services to these tourists. Proper management of storm drains and flood control systems, such as elevated roads (which is already being done by the government on the road to Isla de Mendez), could accelerate ecotourism in Zone 1 and create a more consistent flow of additional income. Stages of Development All of the communities that we visited are in different stages of development. Isla de Mendez has some of the appropriate infrastructure--a hostel and a restaurant--to receive tourists at Villa Tortuga. The other communities do not currently have restaurants or eateries to feed tourists. Isla de Mendez also has trained community members serving as tour guides and park rangers. The only other community to receive similar training is Ceiba Doblado, which has two park rangers. Aguacate does not have electricity, potable water, or a town hall, while the rest of the communities have a town hall, access to potable water, and electricity. Although the communities are at different levels of development, it is possible for each community to profit from ecotourism in the immediate future. For example, it isnt necessary for Aguacate to have electricity in order to profit from community ecotourism, nor is it necessary for the communities to have potable water in order to serve the tourists, as long as there is bottled water available. (See Appendix 5.) Economic Situation The communities in Zone 1 do not have easy access to funds that are needed to develop ecotourism in the area. It is difficult to receive funding because the communities must go through a complicated system that not everyone understands. It was frequently noted that the communities do not have a clear or realistic idea concerning how they will receive funding and how much time it will take. Generally, communities believe that obtaining funding will take less time than is possible. Despite the lack of funding for ecotourism and the high levels of poverty, Zone 1 desires to develop ecotourism because it views it as a way to keep youth from leaving the area to find jobs elsewhere, as well as an additional source of income. The communities are aware that funding is needed as soon as possible in order to start taking steps to improve their quality of life

7 and to begin creating an ecotourism network. Natural Resources for a Community Ecotourism Network The Jiquilisco Bay offers an abundance of resources for an ecotourism network in Zone 1. The bay and its surrounding area have many natural resources, including mangroves, fish, crab and mollusks, as well as a diverse population of birds. Not to mention, each year four unique species of sea turtle travel to the beaches of the Jiquilisco Bay to lay their eggs. Forty days later, hundreds of baby sea turtles brave the sun, sand and waves as they head steadfast toward the Pacific Ocean. This is, by far, the greatest tourist attraction of Zone 1 and the jewel it must work the hardest to conserve. Government programs have provided for the operations of one turtle hatchery in Isla de Mendez, but it is the Zones hope that more hatcheries will be funded in the future. Additionally, each community has unique resources. For example, the community of El Aguacate has many fruit-bearing trees that cannot be found in the other communities, while San Juan del Gozo is the only town with access to lagoons. Nevertheless, because the communities share many of the same resources while having unique resources of their own, there is a risk that the communities may exploit the same resources, possibly creating competition. Many of the communities expressed the desire to have the same or similar attractions. If each community offers the same attraction, the need to work as a community will disappear as tourists begin to visit each town instead of taking a tour of the entire area. This has the possibility to undermine the creation of an ecotourism network throughout Zone 1 due to an inevitable drain on certain resources, natural and man-made, if the communities decide against diversifying their attractions. Communication and Organization Four of the five communities have an organization that represents their own interests: Isla de Mendez, Ceiba Doblado, San Juan del Gozo, and El Llano have an ADESCO as their community organization, and Aguacate has a committee that notifies the local government about community concerns. Although the communities have an organizational structure (the ADESCOs) they believe they are not as organized as they would like to be, apparently because they feel they do not know how to organize themselves effectively. We found it interesting that each community brought this up, because we observed their capacity to organize as a community differently. We saw that each community could, to a greater or lesser extent, motivate its people as noted by each meetings relatively high level of attendance and participation. The lack of organization may instead be due to insufficient communication between the communities. For example, Ceiba Doblado and Isla de Mendez had similar problems with a rat infestation in 2010. Nevertheless, during our meetings there was no mention that Isla de Mendez had used rat poison to control the infestation, even though Ceiba Doblado needed the poison. We believe that there are ways for communities to share information amongst themselves. In this

8 case, it would have been helpful to have a liaison from each community to share ideas on how to confront the rat infestation. After meeting with the communities, our group also observed inconsistent communication between Association Mangle, ADESCOs and the communities themselves. For example, Isla de Mndez has experience working with organizations that receive grants, as well as building a sea turtle hatchery. These are the same skills that El Llano would like to learn, but this skill set has not been shared with other communities. Methods of sharing information would allow for increased knowledge aiding in development in the region. We also noted that little communication exists among the communities of Zone 1 regarding how they see ecotourism working in the community. El Llano, for instance, was unaware of what was being done in other communities of Zone 1 with respect to ecotourism. The lack of communication in the short- and long-terms could possibly lead to a breakdown of the ecotourism model as they envision it, which focuses on a collaborative multi-community endeavor to create a tourist route with Villa Tortuga as the hub.
Analysis of Activities and Observations

On the basis of the aforementioned observations and the activities we conducted on the ground, we have drawn several conclusions regarding the formation of a community ecotourism network in Zone 1. Prior to the Community Mapping Activity, we conducted a short questionnaire in each community (See Appendix 1). For the most part, the results of the quantitative section were inconclusive, in so far that with the exception of Isla de Mendez, no other community had traditional services to offer tourists; i.e. restaurants, hotels, tour guides, boats, etc. Nevertheless, each community wanted to offer such services to tourists. When asked how they would go about training tour guides, buying boats, and building restaurants, most community members seemed puzzled. This reaction, in part, led to our decision to host a Project Planning Workshop later on, and is described in detail further below. After the questionnaire, we conducted the Community Mapping Activity. In the first phase (drawing a current map of their town), we saw that each community has a clear understanding of the resources they have at their disposal, such as: human capital, transportation, infrastructure, and agriculture. Additionally, each community is aware of its current stage of development relative to the other communities, and the limits that accompany each stage. We considered this knowledge a positive indicator with respect to the feasibility of a community ecotourism network. However, the ability to leverage such capabilities and create attainable goals is also an important skill set that is needed. In the second portion of the Community Mapping Activity we assessed each communitys ability to set attainable goals. The results were very interesting in that, with the

9 exception of Isla de Mendez, every other community drew on its map the improvements it desired to see in the overall infrastructure and organization of its community, in addition to the potential tourist attractions it wished to see developed (See Appendix 2). Most of the improvements drawn were long-term projects, and would require large amounts of upfront funding. We can conclude from these preliminary results that community ecotourism may not be the most important priority, currently, for many residents in Zone 1 and that there are misunderstandings regarding the definitions of short, medium and long-term goals. The main priorities expressed by most of these communities were not to train more tour guides, or build more pupusa shops, but rather to improve the state of their infrastructure (potable water, electricity, drainage systems for flood waters, waste management, etc.) and create sources of employment. For Zone 1, employment is seen not only as a means of cash flow, but also as a means to ensure youth involvement. Therefore, when designing short-term strategic recommendations for each community, we limited our scope to projects or services that could create additional sources of income and possibly lead to permanent employment. Employment opportunities through community ecotourism can also serve to generate income for basic infrastructure improvements. However, many communities in Zone 1 do not yet have the resources and systems in place to receive tourists. In order for an ecotourism network to be successful and profitable within the Zone, each community must be able to participate in a capacity that utilizes the limited, specific resources it has without detracting from its necessary daily activities or exploiting scarce natural resources. When asked which obstacles might impede the development of a community ecotourism network, most communities reported that they were not sufficiently organized internally to manage an ecotourism network within the rest of the Zone. With this and our prior observations in mind, we created a half-day workshop about short, medium and long-term community project planning (See Appendix 4). This workshop would serve two purposes: to generate good planning and organizational habits within each communitys ADESCO, and to create awareness among the communities of what their neighbors are working to achieve. Often, the projects taking place in one community are unknown to the community next door. Therefore, we gave each community the opportunity to present their working project plans, additional goals, and their communitys challenges in front of their peers. After careful observation of the five communities in Zone 1, we created a customized, strategic plan of short (1 year), medium (3 - 6 years), and long-term (6 years or more) recommendations for each community. These recommendations for a community ecotourism network in Zone 1 not only reflect the two priorities mentioned previously, but they also aim to highlight the strengths and selling points of each community (See Appendix 3). In addition, we have replicated the community maps drawn by each community in a digital format and have included our recommendations in these illustrations. We hope that these maps will enable the residents of Zone 1 to visualize how a community tourism network would operate, and how their own town would be integrated into this network (See Appendix 5).

10
Final Recommendations
Create a strong network It is recommended that:
Zone 1 form a strong community ecotourism network that prevents privatization, protects the biosphere of the Bay of Jiqulisco, and utilizes each communitys unique strengths and abilities without compromising the tourism and service offerings of other communities or depleting the natural resources. the Ecotourism Committee in Zone 1 develop excursions that attract recognition and revenue to each community in Zone 1 in an equitable and evenly distributed manner. the Ecotourism Committee of Zone 1 encourage residents to become personally invested in community ecotourism: o Example 1: Form a Beach Ranger Cooperative, for which each household donates $0.25 per month toward the salary of a hired individual(s) to protect, guard and clean the beach and/or bay o Example 2: Through the youth committee, plan volunteer beach and / or bay clean up days. Examples include incentives could include a soccer game following the cleanup, pupusas at Villa Tortuga, etc. o Example 3: Offer activities involving the whole community to educate members about the benefits of ecotourism as a source of income and focused on conservation. Examples include community dance night, concerts, childrens plays through school, etc. Asociacin Mangle, along with each community in Zone 1, assist each other in creating a strategic community ecotourism plan through leading and participating in regular workshops teaching project planning, conservation, and small business planning. Strengthen the ecotourism committee in Zone 1 by including the ecotourism and youth committees as well as the ADESCOs in the planning process. o Incorporate professionals into the planning process in order to assist with the proposal writing, and ensure that these professional work closely with Asociasin Mangle to complete the proposals.
o
Offer consistent trainings to the ecotourism committee that can pertain to, but are not limited to: tour guide, environmental, and leadership trainings
The Role of Asociacin Mangle We recommend that Asociacin Mangle share information to the communities in the following ways: Create a standard operating procedure on how to receive funding from governmental and non-governmental organizations.

11
Determine which organizations can donate grant money. Provide training for community residents to serve as tour guides and park rangers Work with the communities through instructional meetings that teach people how to accomplish personal and community goals, specifically the goals that each community developed at our project planning workshop (see below).
Role of the communities We recommend that each community:
Cultivate its unique ecotourism identity and experience using the goals they each selected during the project planning workshop that incorporate distinctive aspects of the El Salvadoran culture: o Ceiba Doblado: Create small local restaurants serving local El Salvadoran fare o Aguacate: Give tours on horseback and bike, as well as tours of the mangroves o Isla de Mendez: Improve Villa Tortugas facilities in order to attract more tourism business o El Llano: Add a water pump to irrigate their local kitchen garden o San Juan del Gozo: Not present at the project-planning workshop
Conclusions
When Team Monterey arrived in the Bajo Lempa region of El Salvador, the level of organization between community organizations (Asociacin Mangle and La Coordinadora) and the ADESCOs of each town, as well as their commitment to the community ecotourism project immediately impressed us, although the communities did express a desire to become more organized internally. The people of Zone 1 in the Bajo Lempa face many daily challenges that command most of their attention, yet despite these challenges and time-constraints, we found that they are equally as committed to improving the well-being of their communities and willing to put the necessary time and effort into cultivating the community ecotourism project. While each town is in a different stage of development, the meetings and workshops have equipped them with a strategy to begin the steps that will 1) improve the quality of local infrastructure 2) create job opportunities that will involve local youth, provide an additional income source, and possibly create permanent employment and 3) work toward the ultimate goal of attaining the capacity to receive tourists as part of an ecotourism network throughout Zone 1 by utilizing resources and time in a sustainable manner that does not detract from necessary daily activities. Team Monterey recommends that the communities continue to meet regularly to track progress and share ideas and experiences with each other in order to keep up momentum and facilitate an open forum of learning and communication. Asociacin Mangle and La Coordinadora are the glue that holds together the ADESCOs of each community. As such, it is recommended that the organization continue to host these

12 meetings on a regular basis, as well as continue to act as the professional face of the ecotourism network by utilizing its knowledge about grant writing, project planning, etc. It is important to have strong commitments focused on collaboration and communication from every party involved in the creation of a community ecotourism network in order to achieve the goals of each community. In future Teams Monterey, we wish to continue to work with each community on their specific, self-selected goals. Ceiba Doblado would like to create small restaurants within the community selling pupusas and other local fare, Isla de Mendez expressed the desire to improve Villa Tortugas facilities in order to attract more tourism business, Aguacate would like to give tours on horseback and bike, as well as giving tours of the mangroves, and finally, El Llano would like to work on adding a water pump to irrigate their local community garden. Team Monterey looks forward to continue work on this project in conjunction with the efforts of Asociacin Mangle, La Coordinadora and each communitys ADESCO as part of a mutually rewarding relationship that we hope lasts long into the future.

13
Appendix 1 Questionnaire for community mapping activity

(This is the actual questionnaire that was used; it was never translated from English) English Translations are in gray italics. Preguntas Cuantitativas 1. Cuantas personas estn capacitadas en la preparacin de alimentos? a. Cuantas personas quieren Uds. que estn capacitadas en el futuro? 2. Cuantas personas estn capacitadas en guas tursticas? a. Cuantas personas quieren Uds. que estn capacitadas en el futuro? 3. Cuantas personas estn capacitadas en guarda recursos? a. Cuantas personas quieren Uds. que estn capacitadas en el futuro? 4. Cuantas personas estn capacitadas en ser lanchero? a. Cuantas personas quieren Uds. que estn capacitadas en el futuro? 5. Cuantas lanchas tiene la comunidad? a. Cuantas lanchas quieren tener en el futuro? 6. Cuales servicios tiene la comunidad para dar de comer a una turista? a. Quieren construir otros comedores o restaurantes en el futuro? 7. Hay otras personas capacitadas u otros servicios que ofrecen la comunidad? Quantitative Questions 1. How many people are trained in the preparation of food? a. How many would like to be trained in the future? 2. How many people are trained as tour guides? a. How many would like to be trained in the future? 3. How many people are trained as naturalists / park rangers? a. How many would like to be trained in the future? 4. How many people are trained in driving a boat? a. How many would like to be trained in the future? 5. How many boats does your community have? a. How many would you like to have in the future? 6. What services can your community offer tourists with respect to food and drink? a. Would you like to have more restaurants or eateries in the future? 7. Does your community have any additional skilled members or services it can offer to tourists? Preguntas Cualitativas 1. Fortalezas: a. Cules son las cosas que Uds. creen que son buenos de su comunidad? b. Qu saben hacer Uds.? c. Qu es lo que tienen a su alrededor que les ayuda llevar a cabo el ecoturismo? 2. Debilidades: a. Qu es lo que los hace dbiles como comunidad? b. Cules son las cosas que no les favorece a su alrededor?

14 3. Reto: a. Hay algo que est fuera de sus manos? Una situacin en particular? 4. Opportunidades: a. Cmo va a ayudar la comunidad el ecoturismo, segn Uds? b. Cmo va a beneficiar a sus familias? 5. Meta ms importante: a. De todo que se ha mencionado, cules son las tres cosas ms importantes para Uds. como comunidad? Puede ser de lo que sea. Qualitative Questions 1. Strengths: a. What are good things about your community? b. What do members of your community know how to do? c. What about your surroundings could help with establishing an ecotourism network? 2. Weaknesses: a. What brings you down as a community? b. What about your surroundings does not favor a successful community ecotourism network? 3. Challenges: a. Is there anything out of your control? Or a situation in particular that limits you? 4. Opportunities: a. How do you think that ecotourism could help your community? b. How could it benefit your families? 5. Important Goals: a. From everything that has been said, what are the three most important things to your community? They can be whatever you want.

15
Appendix 2 Maps drawn by each community

(Future goals/additions/infrastructure are drawn in blue.)

16

17

18
Appendix 3 Short, medium, and long term goals for the communities of Zone 1
(Given originally to each community in Spanish, English translations are in gray italics)
El Llano
Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Organizar un comit de ecoturismo dentro de la comunidad Investigar quienes tienen acceso al mar Crear huertos caseros Capacitar a personas interesadas en ser guas tursticos en la comunidad Tener un comedor en una casa que sea accesible desde el camino Short term goals (able to be completed in less than one year) Organize an ecotourism committee Figure out who owns the Access road to the beach Start kitchen gardens Train those who are interested in being tour guides Start a small restaurant (could be part of someones house) near the main road Metas a Mediano Plazo (Tres a seis aos) Obtener acceso al mar Construir un vivero de Tortugas Construir un estanque para peces Construir un estanque de camarones Medium term goals (Three to six years) Obtain beach access Construct a turtle hatchery Construct a fish farm Construct a shrimp farm Metas a Largo Plazo (Seis aos o ms) Construir un muelle Levantar la calle Construir una casa comunal Construir un rancho hotel con piscinas Desarrollar una casa de Turismo Huspedes Long term goals (Six or more years) Construct a dock Elevate the main road

19 Construct a community center Construct a tiki hut hotel with a pool Develop a guest house / tourist center
Aguacate
Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Organizar un Comit del Ecoturismo Recoger fruta (mangos, coco, maran) para vender en bolsas a los turistas, o traer turistas para recoger fruta por s mismo Alquilar bicicletas para pasear por el camino, ver los rboles frutales, el paisaje, etc. Dar excursiones a caballo Vender refrescos de jugo a los turistas Capacitar individuales interesados en ser guas tursticas en la comunidad Short term goals (able to be completed in less than one year) Organize an ecotourism committee Pick fruit (mangos, coconuts, cashews) to sell in little bags to tourists or bring tourists in to pick their own fruit Rent out bikes for trail rides and to view the different fruit trees, see the countryside, etc. Give tours on horseback through the town Sell homemade juice to tourists Train those who are interested in being tour guides Metas a Mediano Plazo (Tres a seis aos) Vender jalea de frutas Vender mantequilla de maran Vender vino de maran Amplificacin de la luz elctrica Crear una ruta de cayucos dentro de los manglares Medium term goals (Three to six years) Sell homemade jelly or marmelade Sell homemate cashew butter Sell homemade cashew wine Connect all members of the town to the electrical grid Create a tourist route for canoeing through the mangroves Metas a Largo Plazo (Seis aos o ms) Pedir / obtener acceso al camino privado Construir un estanque de camarones Levantar las calles Desarrollar microempresa de frutas

20
Long term goals (Six or more years) Ask for permission / obtain Access to the private road Construct a shrimp farm Elevate the main roads Develop a small business model for harvesting and selling fruits
Ceiba Doblado
Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Organizar un comit de ecoturismo Abrir el parqueador de nuevo Construir ranchos en la playa con hamacas y cobra los turistas Vender cerveza / refrescos en la playa (*Pero hay que recoger las botellas) Poner comedores en casas cerca del camino Tener das voluntarias para limpiar las playas Capacitar individuales interesados en ser guas tursticas en la comunidad Short term goals (able to be completed in less than one year) Organize an ecotourism committee Open up a pay per stay parking lot for beach go-ers who park on community property Construct tiki huts on the beach with hammocks and charge tourists for use Sell cold beer / refreshments on the beach, but remember to collect the bottles Set up small restaurants in houses near the main road Schedule volunteer beach clean-up days Train those who are interested in being tour guides Metas a Mediano Plazo (Tres a seis aos) Limpia el drenaje Construir su propio vivero de Tortugas Limpiar los manglares para que sea libre de basura Medium term goals (Three to six years) Clean the main storm drain Construct a turtle hatchery Clean up the mangrove area and keep it clear of garbage Metas a Largo Plazo (Seis aos o ms)
Construir una Cabaa
Long-term goals (Six years or more) Build a Cabana style hotel for tourists

21
San Juan del Gozo

Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Tures de Cayuco en Los Manglares de la Baha y en la Laguna (si no es prohibido) / Vender bolsas de maraones Poner letreros en la calle para las pupuseras y / o panaderas. Por ejemplo: Come una pupusa! Capacitar individuales interesados en ser guas tursticas en la comunidad Short term goals (able to be completed in less than one year) Give canoe tours in the bay and in the lagoon (if it is not prohibited) Sell cashews in small bags Place signs on the road for the pupusa / bread shops. For example: Why dont you eat a pupusa! Train those who are interested in being tour guides Metas a Mediano Plazo (Tres a seis aos) Comprar lanchas con motores que pueden llevar turistas en la baha Mejorar la calle hacia la baha Construir un comedor Medium term goals (Three to six years) Buy motor boats to take tourists around the Bay Clear / clean up the path to the Bay Construct a small restaurant Metas a Largo Plazo (Seis aos o ms) Crear una hbitat natural para proteger las iguanas y tener guas tursticas o guarda recursos para ensearles a los turistas Obtener acceso a la laguna a travs de un acuerdo con los que tienen acceso. Long term goals (Six or more years) Create a natural habitat to protect the iguanas and use tour guides to show them to tourists Obtain access to the lagoon for everyone by setting up and agreement with those who already have access.
Isla de Mndez
Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Invitar otras comunidades para participar en sus proyectos Mejorar los baos en Villa Tortuga Hacer un mapa de las rutas

22 Colgar fotos de las otras comunidades y las actividades que hay Short term goals (able to be completed in less than one year) Invite other communities to participate in their projects Fix up the bathrooms at Villa Tortuga Make a map of possible tourist routes Hang pictures of the other communities and the activities that tourists can do Metas a Mediano Plazo (Tres a seis aos) Arreglar la Villa Tortuga - el suelo, bicicletas, camin, techo, piscina Arreglar cabaas Medium term goals (Three to six years) Fix up Villa Tortuga - new floor, bicycles, trucks, roof, pool Fix up the cabanas Metas a Largo Plazo (Seis aos o ms) Construir un dreno Construir un muelle Mejorar la calle al mar Long term goals (Six or more years) Construct a drain for flood waters Construct a dock Fix up the road to the beach

23
Appendix 4 Strategic project-planning workshop

(This is a replica of an actual planning workbook that was used by the community, Isla de Mendz. Each community in Zone 1 received a workbook with recommendations that were specific to their communitys needs, which were based on the results of the map community mapping activities. The original workshop was created, delivered and written in Spanish.) Taller de Plan Estratgica de Eco-Turismo Comunitario En Colaboracin con: Asociacin Mangle La Coordinadora ADESCOs de la Zona 1 y Equipo Monterey 5 Agenda 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 10:45 12:00 12:20
Mirar los mapas comunitarias Introducciones Charla de Metas a Corto Plazo Seleccin de Meta a Mediano Plazo Actividad de Planificacin Presentaciones de los planes Hacer cita para la prxima reunin
Introduccin - Como Planear un Proyecto Antes de empezar en trabajar en su proyecto es muy importante tener un plan. Estas cuatro preguntas ayudan en preparar su plan. Piensa en estas preguntas antes que empezar su proyecto. Qu?
En qu proyecto van a trabajar?
Quin?

Quines van a estar en la delegacin o comit de este proyecto? Quin sera un buen lder del proyecto? Quin tiene experiencia en estos proyectos?
Cmo?
Cules actividades son necesarios para cumplir el proyecto? Por ejemplo, Quin va a pedir permiso del gobierno regional?

24 Dnde est el proyecto? En cul parte de la comunidad quiere tener el proyecto? Cmo van a dividir el trabajo? Por ejemplo, quin o quienes est(n) en cargo de cada actividad? Cunto va a costar el proyecto? o Cmo van a conseguir los fondos?

Cundo?

Cundo van a terminar con cada paso del proyecto? Cundo van a terminar con el proyecto en total?
Charla de Metas a Corto Plazo Metas a Corto Plazo (que se pueden realizar en un ao a partir de ahora) Discute las siguientes recomendaciones. Qu piensan? Pueden pensar en ms?

Invitar otras comunidades para participar en sus proyectos Mejorar los baos en Villa Tortuga Hacer un mapa de las rutas Colgar fotos de las otras comunidades y las actividades que hay
Seleccin de Meta a Mediano Plazo y Actividad de Planificacin Qu?
En qu proyecto van a trabajar?
Metas a Mediano Plazo (Tres a seis aos)

Arreglar la Villa Tortuga o suelo, bicicletas, camin, techo, piscina Arreglar cabaas
Metas a Largo Plazo (Seis aos o ms)

Construir un dreno Construir un muelle Mejorar la calle al mar

25 Quin?

Quines van a estar en la delegacin o comit de este proyecto? Quin sera un buen lder del proyecto? Quin tiene experiencia en estos proyectos?
Cmo?
Cules actividades son necesarios para cumplir el proyecto? Escriba los pasos que son necesarios para este proyecto. Dnde est el proyecto? En cul parte de la comunidad quieren tener el proyecto? Hasta cundo va a operar el proyecto? Quin o quienes est(n) en cargo de cada actividad? Cunto cuesta?
Cundo?

Cundo van a terminar con cada paso del proyecto? Cundo van a terminar con el proyecto en total?
Appendix 5 Digital satellite images of potential tourist routes and activities

Each map is a satellite image of a specific community in Zone 1. The activities and routes listed are merely suggestions and recommendations. They are meant to be revenue generating, but should only be implemented at the discretion of each ADESCO and the Zone 1 ecotourism committee. Together, they make up the entire Zone 1 and represent the different ways that a community ecotourism network can be formed

Community Eco Tourism in The Bajo Lempa - FINAL-1

Diunggah oleh

Informasi Dokumen

Deskripsi Asli:

Judul Asli

Hak Cipta

Format Tersedia

Bagikan dokumen Ini

Bagikan atau Tanam Dokumen

Opsi Berbagi

Apakah menurut Anda dokumen ini bermanfaat?

Apakah konten ini tidak pantas?

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Community Eco Tourism in The Bajo Lempa - FINAL-1

Diunggah oleh

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Community Ecotourism in the Bajo Lempa