This report is a preliminary exploration of the perspectives of actors working around the indigenous rights – environmental protection – religious leadership nexus in Honduras and Guatemala on key questions about the nature of their activism in the region. The activists interviewed for this report come from a diverse spectrum of indigenous, religious and environmental movements that range from the El Estor Association of Community Development, a service organization that provides technical assistance and accompaniment to local indigenous communities, to FUNDAECO, one of Guatemala’s largest conservation NGOs. Activists were interviewed in the field on a research trip conducted by WFDD affiliate Ruth Metzel from June 17- July 6, 2009 in Honduras and Guatemala.

Ruth Metzel graduated from Princeton University in 2010, with a B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Ruth performed extensive research for the WFDD on extractive industries and faith in Honduras and Guatemala, conducting multiple interviews, and produced this a draft report.