Recognizing the importance of the conservation of the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) to the sustainable development and prosperity of the region, The Nature Conservancy created in 2003 an ecoregion-based conservation program.

The MAR Program is the result of team effort that gathers TNC’s 14-year work in the MAR region. Moreover, it provides working capacities to TNC and its partners with a regional strategic vision to marine conservation, facilitating synergies among agencies, projects and donors, supporting the development and implementation of activities, as well as technical assistance at site level.


Since 2003, the Program implement projects in the four countries of the region (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala Honduras) contributing with the identification, establishment and management of protected areas in this unique ecological system. In order to achieve success in the region, collaboration with governmental and international agencies, local ONGS, scientific institutions and communities is essential.

Based on a solid scientific presence, the Program is working along with its partners to identify and preserve protected areas in the whole MAR region, promoting sustainable management practices, strengthening alliances and regional capacities as well as supporting policy development.