Tikal Summit

2022
Written By Kika Tuff

Heart of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala | October 10 - 13, 2022

 

The 2022 Tikal Summit, hosted by Global Conservation in Guatemala, brought together conservationists, government officials, and local stakeholders to advance efforts in protecting endangered World Heritage sites. This intensive training event for National Park and Protected Area Leaders from Latin America, focused on key challenges facing national parks and wildlife, showing examples of success and best practices in the region.

Held in the iconic setting of Tikal National Park, the summit focused on implementing the "No Cut, No Kill" approach, which prioritizes technological solutions like drones and surveillance systems to combat illegal logging, poaching, and deforestation. This initiative is part of Global Conservation's broader Global Park Defense strategy, which seeks to establish sustainable protection mechanisms for endangered parks worldwide.

Discussions at the summit highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between international organizations and local communities to safeguard biodiversity hotspots such as Tikal. The summit included presentations from experts in conservation and archaeology, showcasing how heritage protection can be integrated with environmental preservation. Keynote speakers addressed the need for long-term funding models to maintain these programs and ensure the preservation of cultural and natural heritage for future generations.

The 2022 Tikal Summit achieved critical advancements in conservation by strengthening Global Conservation’s “No Cut, No Kill” strategy, which employs drones, surveillance systems, and ranger training to combat illegal activities in protected areas.

It emphasized sustainable tourism as a tool to empower local communities while generating funding for biodiversity and cultural heritage preservation.

Additionally, the event fostered collaboration among international organizations, government agencies, and local stakeholders, creating actionable plans to protect Guatemala's World Heritage sites and surrounding ecosystems while integrating environmental and archaeological conservation efforts.

Presentations

The 2022 Tikal Summit featured a diverse group of participants, including conservationists, archaeologists, government officials, and local community leaders, all focused on safeguarding World Heritage sites like Tikal and El Mirador. Presentations highlighted technological advancements, such as drone surveillance and ranger patrol systems, and the integration of community-driven conservation initiatives as viable solutions for protecting biodiversity and cultural heritage. Notable speakers included leaders from Global Conservation, FUNDAECO, and local organizations, providing a multidisciplinary perspective on the challenges and opportunities of protecting endangered sites in Guatemala. Explore Presentations-By-Day below.

Monday, October 10th

  • Jim Baborak - Colorado State University, National Park Leaders of Latin America

    Answer 2 Questions:

    1. What is your Goal(s) for the Tikal Summit?

    2. Greatest Single Management Challenge?

  • Ryan Finchum — Colorado State University

    1. What is leadership and how does the application of leadership position us for success?

    2. Conservation needs us all: therefore, it is time to start practicing self-leadership. Five components of self-leadership; building a self-leadership toolkit

  • Jim Barborak — Colorado State University

    Reviewing Shared Challenges for National Parks of Latin America

    • Central America – Max Villabobos and 3 GC Projects

    • South America – Margoth Quispy and 3 GC Projects

    • Regional Discussion – Summary of Challenges

  • Jeff Morgan – Executive Director of Global Conservation

  • 8 Moderated Groups

    1. Leadership and Human Resources

    2. Park Protection and Enforcement

    3. Marine Protection and Enforcement

    4. Community-based Protection

    5. Sustainable Tourism Development

    6. Financials Sustainability (REDD, VCS, Tourism, other)

    7. Systems and Technology – Global Park Defense

    8. Scientific Monitoring – Forests and Species

    • Francisco Asturius, Director Mirador National Park, FundaEco — Salvemos la Vida del Planeta Tierra | Download the PDF

    • Dr. Olena Slobodian, Saving Ukraine — Protecting the Carpathians National Nature Park | Download the PDF

 

Tuesday, October 11th

  • Ryan Finchum, CSU — Using leadership to go from vision to action

    • Part 3: Leaders have a vision – values, smart goals, and our vision tree

    • Part 4: Leadership is creating change – tools for creating change

  • 8 Moderated Groups

    1. Leadership and Human Resources

    2. Park Protection and Enforcement

    3. Marine Protection and Enforcement

    4. Community-based Protection

    5. Sustainable Tourism Development

    6. Financials Sustainability (REDD, VCS, Tourism, other)

    7. Systems and Technology – Global Park Defense

    8. Scientific Monitoring – Forests and Species

    • INTRODUCTION – Jeff Morgan, Global Conservation | Download the PPT

    • NATIONAL PARK MANAGEMENT PLANNING – Jim Barbarak, CSU

    • EARTHRANGER – Jes Lefcourt, AllenAI | Download the PPT

    • CELLULAR TRAILCAMS / TRAILGUARD - Max Villalobos

    • GLOBAL FOREST WATCH - Ruth Nogueron | Download the PPT

  • INTRODUCTION – Jeff Morgan, Global Conservation

    COMMUNITY PROTECTION - Margoth Quispy

    SMART PATROLLING – Francisco Asturius, Andrea Soza | Download the PPT

    MARINE MONITOR – Brendan Tougher, Protected Seas | Download the PPT

 

Wednesday, October 12th

  • Dr. James Deutsch, CEO Rainforest Trust | Download the PPT

  • Jim Barborak, CSU — New directions in management planning, zoning, financing for protected areas

  • Ryan Finchum, CSU — Latest advances in park and wildlife protection

  • Ryan Finchum, CSU — Leveraging International Designation for Tourism and Protection

  • Jeff Morgan, Global Conservation — REDD+ VCS, Legacy Landscapes | Download the PPT

  • Ricky Lopez Bruni – Filmmaker and Artist known for Serpiente Emplumada (2019) and Guatemala - Sauver le Quetzal, l'oiseau sacré des Mayas (2021)

  • Growing Sustainable Tourism in National Parks in Latin America: Backpacker to High-End Strategy for Market Capture

    Presentations from the Tourism Industry:

    • The Next Inca Trail: Connecting with the World — Ciudad Perdida, Colombia

    • Marketing a Wildlife and Nature Destinations — Yasuni National Park, Ecuador | Download the PPT

    • Corcovado National Park – Guide Association

    • Mirador National Park – Community Tourism Cooperatives

  • Dr. Richard Hansen, Mirador National Park and Wilderness | Download the PPT

Kika Tuff

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