Silvia Fuentes, Executive Director of the Zoological Foundation of El Salvador (Funzel), has highlighted significant strides in the country’s environmental education and conservation culture. In a recent interview on Radio 105.3, Fuentes praised the increasing commitment among Salvadorans, particularly younger generations, towards environmental causes and the protection of wildlife.
According to Fuentes, El Salvador has made notable progress in environmental awareness. “El Salvador is doing well,” she remarked. “There is a lot of environmental education and organizations that support it. People are changing the way they view and interact with the environment, particularly in their use of plastics. This shift will positively impact the future.”
One of the key developments in this area is Funzel´s collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) on the georeferencing of Maculis, located in La Unión. This initiative is set to designate Maculis as a new protected natural area, aimed at regulating fishing practices and promoting sustainable tourism.
In addition to this, Funzel supports MARN´s Ocean Mission program, which focuses on the protection of whales and sea turtles. Fuentes also emphasized the success of MARN´s feline and whale protection projects, which have contributed to significant conservation achievements.
“Funzel is dedicated to wildlife protection overall and has successfully released approximately five million sea turtles,” Fuentes noted. “These efforts not only support sustainable tourism but also align with our broader conservation goals.”
Fuentes’ comments reflect a growing national commitment to environmental stewardship and highlight ongoing efforts to ensure the sustainable future of El Salvador’s natural resources.