Tikal Summit
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.