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Sustainable Development and Wild Nature Conservation in NICARAGUA

Support us in the rights of wild animals.

FUNDECI participates in the struggle for environmental justice at Big Cola.

Protecting the environment in a rapidly changing world is an especially difficult challenge in Nicaragua, a small country with great economic needs and very poor levels of infrastructure and human capital. The GAIA program supports sustainable economic development in Nicaragua through scientific research, conservation of wild natural resources, sustainable tourism, and environmental education. Apoyo Spanish School, a GAIA program training volunteers and professionals in the Spanish language and culture of Nicaragua, is the longest-running Nicaragua Spanish school. GAIA scientists have provided technical assistance to the recently published environmental and social impact assessment for the Nicaragua Canal.

The GAIA program at FUNDECI is active throughout Nicaragua. Our office is located at Estación Biológica in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, Nicaragua, where we operate the Biological Research Station and Hostel, conduct a number of research and conservation projects throughout Nicaragua, and provide Spanish language instruction to volunteers and professionals at Apoyo Spanish School. We also offer opportunities for volunteering in biology, natural resource management, education, and community organization areas. You are invited to visit us on the shore of Laguna de Apoyo. Contact us by email, or by telephone 011-505-8882-3992.

You can help us keep nature wild in Nicaragua, by volunteering your time with us or making a small donation to support our projects in wild nature conservation.

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Gaia worked with the local community and the government and people of Japan to build "Escuela Primaria Héroes y Mártires de Xiloá" a completely new school for a marginalized, rural community on the edge of Laguna de Xiloá. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

The chancho cichlid, Amphilophus chancho, is one of the fish species endemic to Laguna de Apoyo, discovered by scientists working in a GAIA project. This species is easily seen while SCUBA diving in Laguna de Apoyo. Join us in a study of this endemic fish species. Photo Ad Konings.

GAIA experts support wildlife studies important to the economy of Nicaragua, such as the impacts of windmills on wildlife. A major wind farm in Rivas is located along an important bird migration corridor. Photo Pablo Somarriba.

Spanish classes in Laguna de Apoyo are often held under the shade of huge trees with monkeys looking down. Apoyo Spanish School is the oldest of the intensive Nicaragua Spanish schools. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

A tour of students of Apoyo Spanish School to Catarina, with the lake and Granada in view. Photo Belén Camino.

San Juan de Oriente, on the edge of Apoyo crater, is the most important center of artisan ceramic pottery in Nicaragua. GAIA supports natural resource conservation in the region which is vital to the livelihoods throughout the area. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

Scientific SCUBA diving in Laguna de Apoyo. GAIA provides logistical and scientific support for studies of ecosystems in Nicaragua such as freshwater lakes and rivers, and tropical forests. We arrange, coordinate, and support internships and scientific partnerships throughout Nicaragua. Photo Topi Lehtonen.