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Prince Albert II of Monaco Visits Mirador to Support Conservation and Sustainable Development Efforts

April 20, 2011

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prince Albert II of Monaco Visits Mirador to Support
Conservation and Sustainable Development Efforts

Prince’s Foundation to Join Coalition to Support “Conservation Incentives and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Maya Biosphere Reserve”

PALO ALTO, CA — April 20 2011 — Prince Albert II of Monaco visited Mirador to witness the tremendous conservation progress led by Dr. Richard Hansen of FARES (Foundation for Anthropolgical Research and Environmental Studies), and to show his support for the Foundation of Cultural and Natural Maya Patrimony (PACUNAM) in the Mirador Project, Global Heritage Fund’s (GHF) conservation partner in Guatemala.

“We have to save this place,” the Prince said during his visit, before signing a cooperation agreement with PACUNAM. His foundation, The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, adds the Mirador conservation initiative in the Maya Biosphere Reserve to its nine forestry projects. Mirador is jointly funded by PACUNAM-FARES-GHF. PACUNAM is comprised of thirteen (13) corporations and families committed to the preservation of Guatemala’s natural and cultural heritage through sustainable development for the benefit of future generations.

For Mirador, PACUNAM has secured $3 million in funding for conservation and sustainable development in Guatemala as part of the $6 million funded by GHF to the project. A key goal of the GHF Mirador project, which began in 2003 under the direction of Dr. Richard Hansen, of FARES, is to aid the Guatemalan government in securing permanent protection and UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for the park, which would place it on an international stage for large-scale conservation and promote significant tourism growth.

Situated in the heart of the Maya Biosphere Reserve in northern Guatemala, Mirador is often referred to by archaeologists as “The Cradle of Maya Civilization.” For decades, the site has been plagued by deforestation and rampant looting, but by 2010, the Mirador has secured over 80 full-time rangers and funding for enforcement.  Thanks to over $3 million in scientific conservation, the site of El Mirador was opened to the public for the first time. A new 880,000-acre Mirador Archaeological and Wildlife Preserve has also been proposed—the largest park in Central America—and a new Archaeological Management Plan for the Mirador Natural and Cultural System has been completed with the cooperation over all major stakeholders and government ministries.

“Prince Albert’s support for the Mirador project as a partner with PACUNAM is a sign of how far we have come since GHF began working here,” said GHF Executive Director Jeff Morgan. “Raising awareness of this irreplaceable treasure — home to some of the world’s earliest, largest and most striking examples of Preclassic Maya civilization — is the next step in making Mirador a sustainable cultural and natural heritage site for Guatemala, and a great source for new economic opportunities for nearby villages like Carmelita and Uaxactún. We are very pleased that Prince Albert came to visit and see the remarkable progress made so far, as well as share his own great experience with the team.”

For more information, visit http://www.globalheritagefund.org.

About Global Heritage Fund
Global Heritage Fund (GHF) is an international conservancy whose mission is to protect, preserve and sustain the most significant and endangered cultural heritage sites in the developing world. GHF utilizes our 360-degree Preservation by Design® methodology of community-based planning, conservation science, development and partnerships to enable long-term preservation and sustainability of global heritage sites. Since 2002, GHF has invested over $20 million and secured $18 million in co-funding for 16 global heritage sites to ensure their sustainable preservation and responsible development.

About PACUNAM
PACUNAM’s work focuses on facilitating scientific and archaeological research, encouraging the development of productive activities, contributing to environmental conservation and supporting the nomination of cultural properties and / or natural assets of Guatemala as World Heritage. The Foundation seeks to support specific projects in each of these areas, in order to promote the sustainable development of the country. See: http://www.pacunam.org

About The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation supports and develops the initiatives of public and private organisations and companies, in the fields of research and studies, technological innovation and socially-aware practices.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is intent on acquiring the means necessary to act as an accelerator. In order to play a major role in the protection of the environment on a global scale, the Foundation wishes to set up and collaborate with networks of researchers, companies and individuals willing to work together towards one common goal. In order to stimulate and develop innovation, the Foundation supports scientific and technical monitoring at an international level. Together with the actors and projects involved, the Foundation stays tuned to the problems, challenges and solutions within the area of the environment.

The foundation favours the creation of forums for environmental players (including researchers, project managers, companies and institutions), raises funds and develops socially responsible investment tools. See:  http://www.fpa2.com