TEAMELSALVADOR9

EvaluationoftheLocalPlanforSustainableUseoftheMangroveEcosystem

Callaghan,ChristopherCallaway,NicoleFancher,TessaNelson,StephanieSpegal,Jeffrey
Stagg,TomStanton,Jamie

MiddleburyInstituteofInternationalStudiesatMonterey
EditorandFacultyAdvisor:AdeleNegro
January,2015

Acknowledgments,
Thestudydetailedinthefollowingreportwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthesupportandtechnical
assistanceofnumerouspeopleinElSalvadorandMonterey,California.

First,wewouldliketoextendourthankyoutoAsociacinMangle,notonlyfortheirwillingnessto
provideuswithaccesstoanyandallinformationneededtocompleteourreport,butalsohostingusasa
teamandascolleagues.Specifically,WalbertoGallegos,DonLuisRamos,CarmenArgueta,andSabino
Cruzsupportedourinitiativefromthebeginning,servingbothasguidestothecommunitiesoftheBajo
Lemparegionandprovidingusaccesstocommunityleadersandlocalexperts.Additionally,theirhelp
allowedustocoordinateourentirethreeweeksintheregionandforthisweareincrediblygrateful.
Further,theassistanceofJosMariaChemaArguetaallowedthelogisticsofourstayintheBajo
Lempatoproceedsmoothly,ataskthatcannotbeoverstated,asthecoordinationofour16studentsfrom
theUnitedStatesisoftenchallengingandtediouswork.

Further,wewouldliketothankNathanWellerandAmyKesslerofEcoViva.BothformerMonterey
Institutestudents,theirperspectiveoftheregionwasinvaluable,andtheirpartnershipwithAsociacin
ManglehelpedusstartourworkimmediatelyuponarrivalintheBajoLempa.

IntegraltothesuccessofourworkweretheCoordinadoradelBajoLempaandtheCoordinadoraof
PuertoParada,aswellastheleadersandresidentsofthecommunitieswhereweconductedinterviewsand
surveys:LasMesitas,LosCalix,LaCanoita,BrisasdelMar,IslaMontecristo,laChacastera,Puerto
Parada,elBotoncillo,andSanHilario.

Additionally,theworkofTeamElSalvadorwouldnotbepossiblewithoutthefacultyguidancefromour
professorsattheMiddleburyInstitute.Firstandforemost,AdeleNegro,asfacultydirectorforTeamEl
Salvadorforthepast10years,possessesawealth,notonlyofinformation,butofpassionfortheongoing
workinthisregion.HercontinuedcommitmenttointroducingstudentstoElSalvadoriswhatprovided
theopportunityforthisproject.Additionally,wewouldliketoextendourthankstoProfessorsJeff
DaytonJohnson,FernandoDePaolis,RobertMcCleeryandPhilMurphy,whoconsultedwithusatevery
stepoftheproject,fromitsinceptionandinitialdesigntotheanalysisofthedataandthecompilationof
thefinalreportuponourreturn.Withtheirclearguidance,wewereablebothtosynthesizeandclearly
presenttheresultsofourwork.

WealsoextendourappreciationtothepeopleofCiudadRomerowhoshowedourteamthesincerest
hospitalitythroughopeningtheirheartsandhomestous.WeareindebtedtothefamiliesofDoaIsabel
ChabelaFuentes,DoaGloriaRosibelMaribelPerez,andDoaMarcelinaAlvarengafortheir
ongoinghospitalityashostsforourstudents.Itisimportantfurthertoconveyourdeepestthanksand
appreciationtoourdrivers,VctorManuelMaldonado,JosDoloresLoloRojas,JessElasNavarrete
forprovidinglogisticalassistancetoourteam.

Finally,wewouldliketoextendourthankstopreviousteamsfromtheMiddleburyInstitute,whose
historyofvaluableworkintheregionpavedthewayforthecompletionofourstudy.Weareproudtobe
partofsuchalineage.

TableofContents

1. ExecutiveSummary.....3
2. Background......4
3. ProposedStudy....7
4. Methodology....7
5. ObservationsandAnalysis.......8
6. PolicyRelevance.....10
7. Recommendations.......11
8. Appendix1.CommunityStatistics.....17

ExecutiveSummary

In January of 2015, a groupofgraduatestudentsinTeamElSalvador,oftheMiddlebury

Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS), traveled to El Salvador with the task of
researching the impact of the
PlanLocaldeAprovechamientoSostenible(PLAS),or,LocalPlan
for Sustainable Use. PLAS was implemented in 2010 in the Bajo Lempa region following the
passing of Decreto 14 (Ministerial Decree #14), and its adoption by the Ministry of the
EnvironmentandNaturalResources(MARN).
In this context, the MIIS research teams study aimed at assessing the broader social
characteristics of this region. Duringtheresearchdesignphase,fourvariableswereidentifiedas
potentially important to theimplementationoflocalenvironmentalresourceconservationpolicy:
effective communication structures, community ownership of the policy, relative economic
stability in the region, and access to alternative markets and resources. In an effort to address
these variables, the team designed a survey and prepared a set of questions for semistructured
interviews in the field. During threeweeksintheBajoLempa,theteamconducted76household
surveys and over 10 hours of semistructured interviews withlocalcommunityleadersandlocal
forestrangers(
guardarecursos
),whoareresponsibleforenforcingPLASpolicies.
Throughout the study, community leaders and citizens alike stressed the importance of
sustainable regulation of their ecosystem. They value the mangrove ecosystem and know
intimately that without proper conservation efforts, they cannot continue to survive as
communities. Unfortunately, the study found that over 80% of community members in
communities where the PLAS has been implemented are unaware of the regulations dictatedby
the Plan. Additionally, 92% reported that there were no locations where they could acquire
alternative materials to sustain their livelihoods. Further, it was widely reported that
enforcement, as well as monitoring and evaluation,wasinsufficient.Communityleaders andthe
forest rangers expressed a need for increased resources,suchastechnicalassistanceandfunding
formorerangersandsupplies.
As a result of the study, key problems were identified that need improvement where
PLAS has already been implemented if these issues are not addressed, they will limit
3

conservation efforts in new communities. The survey confirmed a very low level of income in
the Bajo Lempa, with 62% of households surveyed stating they did not have dependable work
and 34% reporting a monthly income of $0. Due to the poverty levels examined in the Bajo
Lempa region, community members were unable to eliminate their dependence on mangrove
resources as their sole provision of sustenance and survival. This was a large barrier to the
adherencetoPLASregulations.
There isroomforimprovementintheimplementationandmonitoringofthepolicy.First,
the completion of regular and comprehensivemonitoringandevaluationsystemswhichuseaset
of standardized measurements that incorporate both social and environmental indicators is
recommended. Additionally, it is important to bolster community understanding through a
technologybased forum, pictographic instruments of communication, and the engagement of
future generations. The need to develop outreachprogramsthatimprovecommunitycohesionin
an effort to increase youthinvolvementingovernanceandbuildacoalitionbetweenthemultiple
stakeholders that influence environmental conservation efforts is also evident. Finally, the
continuing support of local cooperatives, job training for youth, and increased microlending in
communitieswithPLASwillimprovefinancialopportunitiesintheBajoLemparegion.

I.

Background

TheBayofJiquiliscoandthesurroundingmangroveecosystemintheBajoLemparegion
of El Salvador constitute a UNESCOdesignated biosphere reserve and a Ramsar1 Wetland of
International Importance that is valued both for its carbon sequestering ecosystem and its rich
ecological variety. The nearby communities rely directly on resources from this ecosystem for
their livelihood. However, degradation of this ecosystem is threatening both the livelihood of
residents and the sustainability of the environment. Between 1980 and 2005, El Salvador lost
more than 40% of its mangrove forests. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations reported that, In Central American countries such as ElSalvador,mangroveswerelost

ARamsarsiteisaprotectedwetlandsareadesignatedbyinternationalstandards.Accessedthrough
http://www.ramsar.org

mainly through uncontrolled urbanization, agricultural encroachment and conversion to shrimp

and salt ponds.2 In 2012, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARN)
reported that therewere46,950unintervenedacresofmangroveforestintheBayofJiquilisco.
There were 3,086 acres which were developed into aquaculture and salt ponds. More mangrove
forest was converted illegally than legally: 1,482 acres were approved by MARN for projects
such asshrimpfarming,while1,604acresweredevelopedillegally.MARNalsoidentified 2,333
acres at risk of sedimentation, deforestation and flooding, with additional threats from
encroachment by agriculture, pesticide and solid waste contamination, as well as tourism
development3.
The Plan Local de Aprovechamiento Sostenible(PLAS)wasimplementedfiveyearsago
in the Bajo Lempa region of El Salvador following the passing of the Decreto 14 by the
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARN). Decreto 14 granted authority
over conservation of environmental resources to local districts, and, in response, the PLAS
project was designed to regulate the usage of the mangrove ecosystem in eight communities. It
was developed with a five year timeline, after which it would be up for review and renewal, if
successful. Preliminary biological studies published by MARN indicate success and, as the five
years expired in 2015, Asociacin Mangle4 is interested in renewing and expanding the policy5.
For thisreason,PLAShasrecentlytransitionedinto thepolicyevaluationstagesothattheeffects
on mangrove depletion and the surrounding socioeconomicrepercussionsonthecommunitiesof
theBajoLemparegion6canbeaccuratelyassessedandanalyzed.
Prior to research design, the team investigated the existing literature relevant to policy
implementation for resource management and environmental conservation. Throughout the
investigation several recurring themes associated withpositivepolicyresultsemerged,including
an emphasis on community ownership, stable infrastructure, and local capacity. Resounding

FAO:FoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUN.Pg.33.Accessedthrough
ftp://
ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/010/a1427e/a1427e07.pdf
3
(2012).FomilenioII.EvaluacinAmbientalEstratgicaInformeNo.2.ExploracindeAlternativas:Pesca,Agroforesteray
Turismo.Accessedthrough
http://www.marn.sv/documentos/sistemaevaluacionambiental/EAEFMCSegundoAvanceEAE.pdf
4
AsociacionMangleisanongovernmentalorganizationthatpromotesdevelopmentalandenvironmentalprogramsintheBajo
LempaRegion.
5
lvarez,AnaGloria.(2014).
EvaluacindelPlanLocaldeAprovechamientoSostenibledelsectoroccidentaldelaBahade
Jiquilisco
.AsociacinMangleyMARN.

Wuetal.(2010).ThePublicPolicyPrimer.
ManagingthePolicyProcess.
RoutledgetextbookinPolicy
studies.
6

professional opinion spoke against highly centralized systems of policy development and
implementation and in favor of increased local control. Given a variety of factors, including
insufficient use of local knowledge, lack of technical expertise and economic support, and
ineffective monitoring, centralized and topdown implementation tends to fail. However, when
policy implementation derives from the environment in which it will be enacted and is
coordinated with strong institutionalbacking,theachievementoflongtermresultsismuchmore
likely.
Stable infrastructure is another factor that increased the likelihood of positive results.
Within the literature, a vast and disparate list of factors have been identified as ingredients that
can aid implementation of resource management policies. It was often illustrated that in places
where stable infrastructure andeconomicincentiveswerelacking,thesetargetswerevaluedover
environmental and resource management goals. Understanding economic influence on a
communitysbehaviorwasessentialtosuccessfulpolicyimplementation.
There was a noticeable gap, however, when it came to addressing questions of
replicability of policy implementation across regions. One common reason discussed in the
literature was the lack of outcome evaluations in community resource management programs.
Without appropriate evaluation, it is difficult to ascertain the success of a policy, let alone the
possibility for replication. This was due to theoverspecificityofregionalfactorsthatcouldnot
be abstracted into larger, overarching key variables. Thereisa waytoresolvetheseconcernsfor
replicability and address the gaps in research by looking at the Bajo Lempa both in its very
individualizedcontextandalsokeepinginmindthetheoreticalandanalyticalneeds.

II.ProposedStudy

Assuch,thestudyaskedthefollowingquestion:InthecommunitiesthathavePLAS,
whatcommunitycharacteristicsaremostrelevanttoeffectiveimplementationofPLAS?
Additionally,whichcharacteristicsareimportanttoevaluatewithrespecttoexpansionofPLAS
toadditionalcommunities?

Areviewofpreviousresearchregardinglocalcontrolofresearchextractionledtoan
identificationofthefollowingfourfactorsasessentialtothesuccessofanenvironmental
conservationpolicy:asenseofcommunityownership,effectivestructuresofcommunication,
stablelocalinfrastructureandaviableeconomyintheregion.Communityownershipreferstoa
sharedsenseofresponsibilityandinvolvementinboththesystemofdecisionmakingandthe
ongoingmaintenanceandenforcementoftheenvironmentalpolicy.Intermsofcommunication
structures,theeffectivenessofroutesofinformationflow,bothformalandinformal,thatallow
fortheoverallincreaseofknowledgeinthecommunitywasassessed.Thevalueofstablelocal
infrastructureisreflectedbothintherelativestabilityandsecurityofthecommunityandinthe
administrativecapabilitiesoflocalgoverningbodies.Finally,thecommunitiesaccessto
commercialmarkets(sellingandpurchasing)andtheabilitytosecurealternativemethodsof
livelihoodbothcriticalforaviablelocaleconomywereanalyzed.

III.Methodology

A mixed methods approach was used to collect data, employing both qualitative and
quantitative methods. The research was conducted over a three week period intheBajoLempa
region of El Salvador, in six communities that currently had PLAS (Los Calix, Canoita, Las
Mesitas, Isla Montecristo, Chacastera and Brisas del Mar), and in two communities where
expansion has been proposed by Mangle (San Hilario and Botoncillo). To collect quantitative
data, 76 surveys were administered to residents both of communities that had implemented
PLASandcommunitieswheretheimplementingorganizationhadintentionstoexpandPLAS.
The survey addressed aspects of the four qualities mentioned previously. In an effortto
investigate communication, questions were developed that inquired as to where people receive
their information (intra or intercommunity), how muchtheyknowaboutPLAS,andwhomthey
trust outside of the family (hoping to understand how communication flows within a
community). Infrastructure was addressed by asking the interviewees about their use of
mangrove resources for home building and looked for alternative sources of construction
materials within each community. To gauge community buyin, a set of questionswasdesigned

to examine the perception of people regarding environmental preservation. Finally, access to

markets was addressed by looking at the supply chains for mangrove resources within each
communityandbasicincomedemographicquestions.
In addition to the survey, the team conducted focus groups with the leaders of each
community and the
guardarecursos
(similartoforest rangers),whoareresponsibleforenforcing
the rules and regulations ofPLAS. Thisallowedforamorecomprehensiveunderstandingofthe
community level functioning of PLAS. With this data in mind, recommendations have been
developedbothfortheimprovementandexpansionofPLAS.

IV.ObservationsandAnalysis

1) MonitoringandEvaluation
In previous investigations, the team was given past evaluations of PLAS with respect to
biological sustainability. The team also read what is known as the
Plan Manejo de Bahia
Jiquilisco
, a measurement of specific indicators set for monitoring protected areas, such as the
mangrove ecosystem. Unfortunately, because of large inconsistencies in these reports, much of
the datawasfoundtobeincompleteandunreliable.Todate,there isnocomprehensivesystemin
place for the monitoring and evaluation of PLAS performance and the gradual depletion of the
mangrove ecosystem. Therefore, it is impossible to evaluate the effectiveness of PLAS at this
time. A consistent monitoring system is essential for Mangle if they are to determinetherateof
depletion of mangrove resources and the economic consequences of restricting access to those
resourcesintheBajoLemparegion.
In order to ensure that these needs are adequately addressed, it is imperative that
community leaders be allocated more resources, both technical and financial, to achieve their
goals and initiate positive change. Community leaders reliance on organizations such as
Mangle, the Ministry of the Environment, and other NGOs for financial, technical and
administrative assistance reflect a lack of operating capacity, which was echoedincommunities
andnearbyorganizationsalike.

2) EducationCommunication
Through focus group conversations and surveys, the team found that within the six
communities that have PLAS, more than 80% oftheindividualsinterviewedcouldnotarticulate
the rules and processes it contains. Although it was observed that measures of communication
were attempted, there was widespread confusion about the exact rules of PLAS, even amongst
authority figures. This is detrimental to effective resource conservation in these areas, as even
with large public support for environmental conservation, citizens cannot follow rules of which
theyareunaware.

3) CommunityBuyIn
A recurring theme observed in interviews with community leaders was a strong respect
for organizations that benefit themangroveecosystemandthelocalpeople.However,duringthe
surveys and focus groups, community leaders and citizens expressed a lack of trustandsecurity
in their communities. This can be traced to the presenceofgangactivity,tensionsleftoverfrom
the civil war, and disputes overcommunal resources.Forexample,representativesfromsomeof
the communities directly bordering the ecosystem mentioned that people from other
communities fartherfromthemangroveecosystemoftentookadvantageofnatural resourcesthat
didn't belong to them, while those from outlying areas felt they were unduly discriminated
againstwithrespecttoresourceextraction.
Furthermore, whenaskedthegeneralquestion,"Overall,inwhomdoyouplaceyourtrust
outside of your family members?" 40% of respondents indicated they placed their trust in the
church, 24% in their neighbors, 12% in the authorities, 8% in the school, 8% in community
organizations, and 8% did not place their trust in anyone7. Also, a direct concern regarding the
enforcement of PLAS was the increasing levels of gang activity and insecurity in the region.
Both community members and
guardarecurso
s expressed reluctance to approach and cite
offendersbecauseofthefearofapproachingagangmember.

Thesepercentageswerecalculatedfrom100responsescollectedintotal(thequestionallowedformorethanoneselectedresponse).

These circumstances damagethelevelofcooperationandconfidencewithinandamongst

communities. Additionally, they diminish communal responsibility andtheincentivetopreserve
localresources. Giventhedata,ourrecommendationscomprisestrategiestostrengthenboth inter
andintracommunityconfidence,aswellastopromoteasenseofsecurityintheregion.

4) LivelihoodsandAccesstoAlternativeMarkets

The resources from the mangrove ecosystem are the only viable options and sources of
livelihood for the majority of the population. The teams study found that more than 60% of
peopleinthesampledidnothaveasecureanddependableoccupation,and34%statedamonthly
salary of $0. Additionally, over 90% of the individuals interviewed indicated that there was no
business in their community where they could purchase materials forconstruction,forcing them
to rely entirely on resources from the mangrove. This underscores the necessity to increase
employment opportunitiesinruralcommunitiesoftheBajoLemparegion.Increasingpurchasing
power is an effective way to diversify the products used for the construction of houses and for
fuel,ratherthanrelyingsolelyonresourcesfromthemangrove.

V.
PolicyRelevance

The study directly addressed four variables in its research design. It was hypothesised
that the adoption of PLASinindividualcommunitieswasdependanton:(1)CommunityBuyIn,
(2)CommunicationofPolicies,(3)AccesstoMarketsand(4)Infrastructure.
Aside from education and income, variables were chosen that would serve to determine
the relevance of identified factors. For example, community buyin was measured by
participation in meetings and interest in environmental programs. Additionally, measuring the
use of mangrove wood as building materials and thereportednumberoffishermanoverthepast
five years servestobegintoaddressdependencyonthemangroveandthereforethelikelihoodof
accepting and abiding by restrictions in their extraction and use. Finally, variables such as
perceived efficacy of community representation and number of yearsspentinacommunitymay

10

give an overview of socialcapitalandcommunication,highlevelsofwhichwouldbevitalinthe

implementationofagivenpolicy.
Two statistical models werecreatedtoanalyzethesurveydata. Thefirstmodelindicated
that the reported change in number of fisherman inagivencommunity,alongwiththesourceof
a respondents information either from within, or outside the community (e.g.,radio,TV,etc.)
was insignificant and, assuch,was removed fromthemodel.However,thereportednumber of
meetingsattendedbyarespondentinthepastyearwasretainedinthemodeldespiteitsstatistical
insignificancedueto

notedperceivedinteractions.
A logistic regression was used to test whetherthecommunitiesthathavebeennominally
introduced to PLAS exhibit desirable factors which should be evaluated and replicated in
additional communities. The coefficients whose sign was negative were focused on as well as
what that indicates regarding practical interpretation of this model. The variables
years,
education
and
income
allhavenegativecoefficients,suggesting that PLAShasbeenintroduced,
perhaps unknowingly, into communities with lower levels of education, income, and less social
capital. It is difficult to determine whether this is simply a functionoftheuniquecharacteristics
ofthesecommunity'sneeds,orwhetherthiswouldholdtruethroughouttheregion.

VI.Recommendations

The teams research identified community characteristics that make possible the
implementation of PLAS.
Thedatashowthatcommunitiesarelackinginthefactorsidentifiedas
important: education, community ownership, communication, economic alternatives and access
to markets.
For example, PLAS has been implemented in communities where there is little
knowledge of the policy or where individuals have few financial resources. In other words, the
fact that acommunityisunawareofPLASorhaslittlefinancialcapacity isnotanobstacletothe
expansion of PLAS. However, survey statistics, responses from the semistructured focus
groups, and observations by our research team while in the Bajo Lempa, reveal aspects of the
PLAS which can be strengthened to benefit communities where it is already implemented and
waystoestablishasupportivebaseinnew communitieswhereitcanbeexpanded.Thefollowing

11

recommendations aim to enhancethePLASandstemfromourobservations,orinteractionswith

communityfocusgroups,inthefield.

1.RegularandComprehensiveMonitoringandEvaluation.

The design and implementation of a comprehensivemonitoringandevaluationplanisan

essential next step for improving thefuture performanceofPLASandenhancingfutureTeamEl
Salvador research. This conclusion is based on the fact that no previous data exist which can
provide a consistent, evaluative measure of the socioeconomic and biological impacts of the
PLAS since its inception.Currentlyitisdifficult,ifnotimpossible,toevaluatethesuccessofthe
policy. Therefore, the creation of a systematic monitoring and evaluation mechanism will
promote the protection of the mangrove ecosystem and the conservation of important species.
Thefollowingarestepstowardsamonitoringandevaluationplan:

Set standardized indicators. Studies conducted by MARN and ICMARES (with

assistance from Mangle, EcoViva and Team El Salvador) in 2008, 2013 and 2014
provide data that can potentially serve as a baseline for determining key indicators.
Relevant stakeholders, including representatives of Mangle and members of the Local
Environmental Committee, should begin a dialogue about the creation of appropriate
indicators for success, both with respect to

levels of resource extraction and

implementation structures within communities. In the short term, indicators of success

should focus on raising community awareness and engagement with PLAS. In the long
term, biological indicators should be both specific and geared toward monitoring the
incremental progress of mangrove flora and fauna in order to focus prioritiesandcollect
timeseriesdata.
Incorporate partnersthataddscientificknowledge.Strengthenpartnershipswithlocal
academic institutions such as ICMARES of the University of El Salvador, to ensure
practices are scientifically based and do not unintentionally harm the mangrove
ecosystem.

12

 Designate an intracommunity representative who is directly responsible for

monitoring PLAS regulations and organizinggroupmeetings,andessentiallyserves
as a knowledge broker. Local champions of the policy can serve asthemainadvocates
to encourage the community to adhere to a policy that is trusted and understood. This
position should be filled by environmentally conscious individuals, preferably members
oftheenvironmentalcommittee8.

2.IncreaseCommunityEducation

Unfortunately, the quantitativedatagatheredillustratedasurprisinglackofknowledgeof

PLAS rules and regulations: over 80% of individuals surveyed could not articulate the policy's
rules. By increasing and improving community education and outreachinitiatives,residentswill
not only be better able to adhere to PLAS regulations, but deficiencies in enforcement due to
lack of resources may also be mitigated. A high level of environmental concern and
consciousness was observed in these communities, despite the lack of direct knowledge
regardingspecificrulesandregulations.Tothiseffect,werecommendthefollowing:

Create a technologybased forum

. Our observations ofnumerouscommunitiespointto
the prevalence of cell phone usage. Nearly all the families encountered seemedtoowna
cellular device. Thus, it would be beneficial to utilize this means of communication to
bolster information dissemination of regulations set forth in the PLAS. This in turn has
the potential to bridge communication across communities where insecurity and distrust
may exist, while enabling those whoarenotabletophysicallyattendmeetingstoreceive
the information they need. A text messagebased system which distributes information
about the PLAS rules and regulations, and provides updatesonPLASpolicy,wouldbea
potentialavenueofinformationexchangeandcommunalrelationshipbuilding.
Create picture signs or cartoonsthatdepictPLASrules.Creatingsignsorpictograms
of policy regulations helps to narrow the misinformation gap for that portion of the

Theenvironmentalcommitteecomprisesonerepresentativefromeachcommunity,whoservesasaconduitofinformation
regardingenvironmentalissues.Asweunderstandit,theroleofeachrepresentativeistoserveasalocalknowledgebroker.
8

13

population which is illiterate, while it enhances a sense of inclusion among community

memberswantingtoconserve themangroves.Evenforthosewhoareliterate,particularly
in educational conservation, pictures and signs are digestible in a way that policy
documentsandlonglistsofrulesarenot.
Engage youth in PLAS
. School performances are a creative outlet to include youth in
environmental causes on behalf of their community. Children would learn about
sustainability of the mangroves and the reasons why PLAS is important for their
community. Theatrical performances are a way of disseminating information to
audiences, raising awareness among generations, and building community buyin. They
alsohelpbuildasenseofplaceandprideinonescommunityatayoungage.

3.
DevelopOutreachProgramstoImproveCommunityCohesion

Our group conversations with community leaders and spontaneous interviews with
community members revealed a clear lack of inter and intra community trust, coupledwithan
imminent fear of gangs. To address levels of mistrust and insecurity in the region, certain
recommendations are provided here with the aim of developing and improving community
outreachprogramsandstrengtheningcommunitycohesion.

Encourage youth involvement in governance. Observations from multiple interviews

validated that the Bajo Lempa is home to a dynamic group of young people with the
interest and innovative spirit to bring to local governance. The inclusion of such
individuals is essential to improving the governing capacity of local community
organizations. Leaders withmorestrengthanddynamismtranslateintocommunitieswith
greater vitality. This is important not only in relation to environmental conservation but
also for citizen security. Encouraging youth involvement in community governance can
beadirectdisincentivetogangmembership.
Create smallerscale projects that have discreet, tangible goals, in order to build
pride and community ownership. On the basisofthequantitativedata,itwasclearthat

14

individuals had astrong,collective interestinpreservingtheirenvironment.9Bringingthe

community together through organized events could help resolve trust issues. Volunteer
days could be conducted two or more times a month to incentivize individuals to work
together toward a common goal, like improving community infrastructure.Publicspaces
such as schools and community gathering places could be painted, or cleaned up with a
trashpickupevent.
Buildacoalitionofgovernmententities,educationalinstitutions,civicorganizations,
and international NGOs.
Certain aspects, such as the funding of the
guardarecursos
,
are beyond the scope of Mangles responsibilities. In order to address these wider
challenges, it is recommended that Mangle continue to bolster cooperation,
communication and cohesion between organizational entities such as MARN and the
ADESCOs. The strengthening of ties between these organizations will foster more
effective logistical and financial strategies to fund projects, which, in turn, will enhance
the effectiveness of local management plans. The augmentation oflogisticalsupportwill
improve transparency, clarification, and shared expected outcomes. Furthermore, top
fundingprioritiesshouldfocusonenforcement,monitoringandevaluationofthePLAS.

4.PromoteImprovedFinancialLivelihoodsintheBajoLempa

As stated above, the lack of financial resourceshasasignificantimpactonthemangrove

ecosystem because residents of the Bajo Lempa rely on wood, fish, shrimp, and crabs from the
mangroves when they cannot purchase materials and food from other sources. It is recognized
that developing economies and their resources present challenges that have no easy or clear
solution. There are initiatives already underway, however, such as the creation of fishing,
shrimping and dairy cooperatives that form part of the economic development which is a key
priorityforMangle.

SeeAppendix1underCommunityEngagementforcommunitystatistics

15

 Continue to develop and support local cooperatives.

Mangle can coordinate
organizational development, technical assistance, and financial support for local
cooperatives. Streamline their systems including a focus on supply chains. Assist with
market research, communication between cooperatives, and transportation. Promote
environmentally sustainable practices that conserve resources, prevent pollution, and
minimize impact on the mangrove ecosystem. Promote the dissemination of best
practicesandmarketinformationbetweencooperatives.

Other potential initiatives to consider with the aim of improving livelihoods in the Bajo Lempa
are:

Start jobtraining programs for youth. A program idea inspired by the USAID
initiative to establish community centers referred to as Outreach Centers for My
Neighborhood. This in turn was sparked by a movement that has been effective in
countering gang violence in other parts of Central America called
Movimiento Jvenes
Contra La Violencia10
. This intervention calls for thedevelopmentofcommunitycenters
where atrisk youth and exgang members can receive job training and assistance
securing alternative livelihoods. These trainings offer assistance in identifying positive
transferableskillssuchasleadership,organizationandmanagement.
Develop a micro loan project in these communities. This can promoteselfsustaining,
small businesses and the creation of new markets for alternative resources. EcoViva
would be a great partner for this initiative. This would increase access to income and
promote livelihood opportunities, which in turn increases purchasing power to obtaining
alternative resources. Based on conversations with Salvadoran citizens, a micro loan
project needs to be implemented in conjunction with increasing safety and security
measurestoprotectindividualsandcompaniesfromextortionbygangs.

10

JvenesContralaViolencia.AccessedonMay5,2015through
http://jovenescontralaviolencia.org/

16

Appendix1:CommunityStatistics

1)PuertoParada(Botoncillo)/withoutPLAS
16peoplesurveyed:9women,7men

CommunityEmpowerment:

25%ofpeople interviewed mentioned that theauthoritiesdon'ttakeintoaccounttheiropinions,

12.5% said that the authorities sometimes take into account their opinions, and 62.5% said that the
authoritiesdotakeintoaccounttheiropinions.

Only one person said that theconservationof themangroveisn't important, 12.5%saidthat itis

importantbutnotapriority,and81%saidthatitisimportantandapriority.

Infrastructure:

75%ofthesampleindicatedusingmangrovewoodinordertocook

62.5%ofthesampleusesmangrovewoodtoconstructtheirhomes

100%ofthesample statesthatthere isn't abusiness inthetheir communitywheretheycanbuy

materialsforconstruction

Communication:

31%ofthesample saidthey werefamiliar with theformalprocessofextractingmangrovewood

underPLAS

18.5%saidthattheyknowtheregulationsofPLAS

ViableEconomy:

Thedistributionofincomeisbetween$0$400permonth,withanaverageof$109.

18.8%indicatedhavingnoincome.

Ofthe9women,77.7%indicatedhousewifeastheirprofession

Ofthe7men,57%indicatedthattheywerefishermen

56.3%ofthesampleindicatedthatthefishintheirhomeiscapturedbyamemberofthefamily
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2)LosCalix/withPLAS
10peoplesurveyed:8women,2men

CommunityEmpowerment:

10% ofpeople interviewed mentioned that theauthoritiesdon'ttakeintoaccount their opinions,

20%said that theauthoritiessometimestakeintoaccounttheir opinions,and70%saidthattheauthorities

dotakeintoaccounttheiropinions.

Only one person said that the conservation of the mangrove isn't important, 30% said that it's

importantbutnotapriority,and60%saidthatitisimportantandapriority.

Infrastructure:

30%ofthesampleindicatedusingmangrovewoodinordertocook

40%ofthesampleusesmangrovewoodtoconstructtheirhomes

80% of thesample statesthatthere isn't abusiness inthetheir community wherethey canbuy

materialsforconstruction

Communication:

10%ofthesample saidthey werefamiliar with theformalprocessofextractingmangrovewood

underPLAS

10%saidthattheyknowtheregulationsofPLAS

ViableEconomy:

Thedistributionofincomeisbetween$0$220permonth,withanaverageof$42.40

18.8%indicatedhavingnoincome.

Ofthe8women,75%indicatedhousewifeastheirprofession

Ofthe2men,0%indicatedthattheywerefishermen

10%ofthesampleindicatedthatthefishintheirhomeiscapturedbyamemberofthefamily

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3)Canoita/withPLAS
7peoplesurveyed:4women,3men

CommunityEmpowerment:

28.6%ofpeople interviewedmentionedthattheauthoritiesdon'ttakeintoaccounttheiropinions,

0% said that the authorities sometimes take into account their opinions, and 71.4% said that the
authoritiesdotakeintoaccounttheiropinions.

0% said that theconservationofthemangroveisnotimportant,14.3%saiditisimportantbutnot

apriority,and85.7%saiditisimportantandapriority.

Infrastructure:

42.9%ofthesampleindicatedusingmangrovewoodinordertocook

57.1%ofthesampleusesmangrovewoodtoconstructtheirhomes

100% of the samplestates that thereisn't abusinessinthetheircommunitywhere theycanbuy

materialsforconstruction

Communication:

0% of thesample saidtheywere familiarwiththeformalprocessofextractingmangrove wood

underPLAS

0%saidthattheyknowtheregulationsofPLAS

ViableEconomy:

Thedistributionofincomeisbetween$0$5permonth,withanaverageof$0.71

85.7%indicatedhavingnoincome.

Ofthe4women,75%indicatedhousewifeastheirprofession

Ofthe3men,33.3%indicatedthattheywerefishermen

28.6%ofthesampleindicatedthatthefishintheirhomeiscapturedbyamemberofthefamily

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4)Chacastera/withPLAS
3peoplesurveyed:1woman,2men

CommunityEmpowerment:

33.3%ofpeople interviewedmentionedthattheauthoritiesdon'ttakeintoaccounttheiropinions,

0% said that the authorities sometimes take into account their opinions, and 66.6% said that the
authoritiesdotakeintoaccounttheiropinions.

100%saidtheconservationofthemangroveisimportantandapriority.

Infrastructure:

33.3%ofthesampleindicatedusingmangrovewoodinordertocook

66.6%ofthesampleusesmangrovewoodtoconstructtheirhomes

100% of the samplestates that thereisn't abusinessinthetheircommunitywhere theycanbuy

materialsforconstruction

Communication:

0% of thesample saidtheywere familiarwiththeformalprocessofextractingmangrove wood

underPLAS

0%saidthattheyknowtheregulationsofPLAS.

ViableEconomy:

Thedistributionofincomeisbetween$30$100permonth,withanaverageof63.33$

0%indicatedhavingnoincome

100%ofthesamplesizeindicatedtheywerefishermen

33.3%ofthesampleindicatedthatthefishintheirhomeiscapturedbyamemberofthefamily

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5)LasMesitas/withPLAS
12peoplesurveyed:7women,5men

CommunityEmpowerment:

16.7%ofpeople interviewedmentionedthattheauthoritiesdon'ttakeintoaccounttheiropinions,

25% said that the authorities sometimes take into account their opinions, and 58.3% said that the
authoritiesdotakeintoaccounttheiropinions.

0% saidthattheconservationofthemangroveisnotimportant,8.3%saiditisimportantbut nota

priority,and91.7%saiditisimportantandapriority.

Infrastructure:

50%ofthesampleindicatedusingmangrovewoodinordertocook

16.7%ofthesampleusesmangrovewoodtoconstructtheirhomes

83.3%ofthesample statesthatthere isn't abusiness inthetheir community wheretheycanbuy

materialsforconstruction

Communication:

14.3% of the sample said they were familiar with the formal process of extracting mangrove

woodunderPLAS

14.3%saidthattheyknowtheregulationsofPLAS

ViableEconomy:

Thedistributionofincomeisbetween$0$200permonth,withanaverageof$24

50%indicatedhavingnoincome

Ofthe7women,85.7%indicatedhousewifeastheirprofession

Ofthe5men,0%indicatedthattheywerefishermen

41.7%ofthesampleindicatedthatthefishintheirhomeiscapturedbyamemberofthefamily

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6)BrisasdelMar(Babilonia)/withPLAS
9peoplesurveyed:6women,3men

CommunityEmpowerment:

11% ofpeople interviewed mentioned that theauthoritiesdon'ttakeintoaccount their opinions,

22%said that theauthoritiessometimestakeintoaccounttheir opinions,and66%saidthattheauthorities

dotakeintoaccounttheiropinions.

100%saidthattheconservationofthemangroveisimportantandapriority.

Infrastructure:

22.2%ofthesampleindicatedusingmangrovewoodinordertocook

66.6%ofthesampleusesmangrovewoodtoconstructtheirhomes

100% of the samplestates that thereisn't abusinessinthetheircommunitywhere theycanbuy

materialsforconstruction

Communication:

0% of thesample saidtheywere familiarwiththeformalprocessofextractingmangrove wood

underPLAS

33.3%saidthattheyknowtheregulationsofPLAS

ViableEconomy:

Thedistributionofincomeisbetween$0$250permonth,withanaverageof$60

55.5%indicatedhavingnoincome

Ofthe6women,100%indicatedhousewifeastheirprofession

Ofthe3men,0%indicatedthattheyarefishermen

55.5%ofthesampleindicatedthatthefishintheirhomeiscapturedbyamemberofthefamily

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7)IslaMonteCristo/withPLAS
11peoplesurveyed:8women,3men

CommunityEmpowerment:

9% of people interviewed mentioned that the authorities don't takeinto accounttheiropinions,

9% said that theauthoritiessometimestakeintoaccount their opinions,and 82%saidthattheauthorities

dotakeintoaccounttheiropinions.

100%saidthattheconservationofthemangroveisimportantandapriority

Infrastructure:

72.7%ofthesampleindicatedusingmangrovewoodinordertocook

90.9%ofthesampleusesmangrovewoodtoconstructtheirhomes

100% of the samplestates that thereisn't abusinessinthetheircommunitywhere theycanbuy

materialsforconstruction

Communication:

27.2% of the sample said they were familiar with the formal process of extracting mangrove

woodunderPLAS

27.2%saidthattheyknowtheregulationsofPLAS

ViableEconomy:

Thedistributionofincomeisbetween$30$360permonth,withanaverageof$130.63.

0%indicatedhavingnoincome

Ofthe8women,100%indicatedhousewifeastheirprofession

Ofthe3men,0%indicatedthattheywerefishermen

90.9%ofthesampleindicatedthatthefishintheirhomeiscapturedbyamemberofthefamily

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8)SanHilario/withoutPLAS
7peoplesurveyed:6women,1man

CommunityEmpowerment:

43% ofpeople interviewed mentioned that theauthoritiesdon'ttakeintoaccount their opinions,

28.5% said that the authorities sometimes take into account their opinions, and 28.5% said that the
authoritiesdotakeintoaccounttheiropinion.

100%saidthattheconservationofthemangroveisimportantandapriority

Infrastructure:

14.3%ofthesampleindicatedusingmangrovewoodinordertocook

14.3%ofthesampleusesmangrovewoodtoconstructtheirhomes

100% of the samplestates that thereisn't abusinessinthetheircommunitywhere theycanbuy

materialsforconstruction

Communication:

14.3% of the sample said they were familiar with the formal process of extracting mangrove

woodunderPLAS

0%saidthattheyknowtheregulationsofPLAS.

ViableEconomy:

Thedistributionofincomeisbetween$0$300permonth,withanaverageof$127

14%indicatedhavingnoincome

Ofthe6women,50%indicatedhousewifeastheirprofession

Ofthe1man,0%indicatedthattheywereafisherman

14.3%ofthesampleindicatedthatthefishintheirhomeiscapturedbyamemberofthefamily

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