Additionally, large timber harvesting projects are arriving in Peten through programs such as the Plan Puebla Panama and the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. These programs affect the natural environment as well as the social organization of the local people. The costs and benefits as well as the local decision makers are often not taken into consideration when planning and implementing these projects.

Faced with this situation, The ProPeten Foundation was created to work for the local good, with the hope of creating sustainable and equitable development. Using innovative techniques, ProPeten facilitates the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of Peten through community participation, pertinent scientific research, strategic alliances and policy work.

To achieve the above goals, ProPeten concentrates its efforts into three areas: Economic Alternatives, Environmental and Health Education, and Population and the Environment. The organization suffered numerous ups and downs this past year along with becoming independent of the organization Conservation International. With the help of dedicated local staff and ProPeten's fixed assets, the organization has been working to strengthen itself since this separation.

ProPeten is now an independent Guatemalan organization with the desire to support the development of Peten while conserving the environment. To accomplish this, ProPeten recognizes the importance of understanding the needs of the local people and how they interact with the natural environment.

In 2003, in addition to funding problems, ProPeten suffered the loss of their Executive Director, Carlos Soza Manzanero on May 28th. He was an environmental leader that gave life to the organization. He led a strong organization with high principles and increased it's local capacity.

After this saddening loss, ProPeten has initiated a process of stabilization through internal restructuring and new strategic planning. It's six active projects are now managed interactively by the staff and no longer function in isolation. The projects focus on the conservation vision of the National Council of Protected Areas of Guatemala (CONAP), and comply with legislation, the Peace Accords, and the international agreements ratified by Guatemala.