Chico Mendes Reforestation Group is a community-based reforestation project located in Cantel, a municipality 20 minutes outside of Xela, Guatemala. Founded in 1999 a group of Pachaj natives who recognized the need to repopulate the local forest reserve, Chico Mendes is working to,

1) stop erosion, 2) increase the local water supply, and 3) contribute to the health of our global environment by providing oxygen through planting trees, and 4) provide necessary resources for the local people, such as firewood, lumber, fabric dye, herbal medicines, and recreation.