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The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has a long history of working collaboratively with USAID/Honduras to provide capacity-building and institutional-strengthening support to the Government of Honduras and local communities. USFS works closely with local organizations to strengthen and protect more than 25 Protected Areas and over 150 watersheds across the country.

Since 2017, USAID and USFS have worked together to promote youth involvement in conservation and wildfire management. USAID’s partnership with USFS in Honduras has two main components: the Honduras Youth for Conservation Corps and Wildland Fire Management.

 
 

Honduras Youth for Conservation Corps

Erlin Espinoza
Erlin Espinoza, YCC Graduate. Credit: USFS
The Honduras Youth for Conservation Corps (YCC) program aims to create a new generation of socially and environmentally conscious leaders. Since 2017, the program has helped exceptional young people become agents of change and inspiration in their communities. Participants take part in more than 1,400 hours of training over eight months, in which they develop and strengthen their knowledge of environmental topics and build their leadership, accountability, and other skills.

As of 2022, 281 youth have graduated from the YCC program and been formally certified as Environmental Promoters by the National Formation Institute of Honduras. These young leaders have developed approximately 1,600 community advocacy activities in rural communities in Honduras on key issues like environmental education, youth leadership, reduction of irregular migration, and gender equality. In addition, 80 percent of the graduates have gone on to work or study—including 50 who started their own businesses, enabling them to provide economic opportunities for themselves and other members of their communities.

In 2023, the program welcomed 90 new future environmental leaders.

In 2022, 90 youth participated in Honduras YCC. Photo: Juan F. Cruz.
Credit: Juan F. Cruz
 
Wildland firefighter training
Credit: USFS

Wildland Fire Management

USFS/Honduras’ Natural Resources Department implements the Wildland Fire Management program that works closely with national institutions and conservation organizations to improve local capacities in understanding, preventing, and combatting wildland fires. The program provides technical advice, expertise, and training to help improve micro-watershed conditions and urban forest restoration efforts.

Since 2016, the program has created multiple Inter-Agency Wildfire Operations Centers to improve response time and resource allocation when a fire breaks out. The program has certified more than 100 professionals in specialized international wildfire courses and trained more than 400 community firefighting crews to prevent wildfires in Honduras. The community volunteers protect their forests, ensuring these resources can continue to provide the natural resources upon which their communities depend.

 

Featured Resources

  • Memoria de Implementación Jóvenes para la Conservación Honduras

    El Programa Jóvenes para la Conservación Honduras (JPC Honduras) es una experiencia piloto en América Latina. Este documento recoge las lecciones aprendidas, logros y esfuerzos que resume todo el proceso de implementación de JPC Honduras durante el año 2021.

  • Honduras Youth for Conservation Corps Fact Sheet

    The Honduras Youth for Conservation Corps (YCC) program, implemented by USFS and funded by USAID, aims to create a new generation of socially and environmentally conscious young leaders. The program has developed exceptional youths who have become agents of change and inspiration in their communities.

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VideoThe Honduras Youth for Conservation Corps Program (Spanish)

Overview of the Honduras Youth for Conservation Corps program.

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