Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS
Numerous nongovernmental
organizations
(NGOs) are active in conservation in Belize, many
being members of the
Belize Association of Conservation NGOs
(BACONGO).
Co-management agreements between government departments, national NGOs and local
organizations play an important role in involving local communities in managing protected
areas. The
Belize Audubon Society
(see below) already manages several reserves, and other
reserves at the Sapodilla Cayes, Port Honduras, Gales Point and Laughing Bird Caye have
co-management agreements in place.
NGOs also undertake scrutiny of government proposals, such as discussions leading to the
Lamanai Room Declaration
(Aug 1997). Signed by thirty NGOs, it sent a strong message to
the government that it could not ignore their concerns over proposed developments,
including damage to the reef by cruise ships and the sale of logging concessions on Maya
lands in Toledo. A proposal by a Mexican company to build a “dolphin park attraction” near San
Pedro caused most alarm, dolphins being a protected species in Belize, and in the end the
government did not issue the necessary licence.
ORGANIZATIONS WELCOMING VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS
Volunteers
are often used to help carry out work, from constructing trails and camping
facilities to undertaking wildlife surveys. Many other organizations offer study opportunities,
particularly in marine biology and conservation.
The Belize Audubon Society (BAS)
, founded in 1969, is the country's pre-eminent
conservation organization and extremely well-respected both in Belize and internationally.
While the name might suggest birdwatching as its main focus of activity, BAS is active in all
aspects of nature conservation and manages nine of the country's protected areas. It also
publishes a range of topics, guides and fact sheets. Call in at the o
ce to find out how to get
to the various nature reserves. For details write to BAS, 12 Fort St, Belize City, call
T
223 5004 or
visit
W
belizeaudubon.org.
The Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (Bfree)
was formed in
1995 by professional biologists to assist the government of Belize in the management and
conservation of the rainforests as well as to coordinate and facilitate scientific research in the
Bladen Nature Reserve and other protected areas in the south. Bfree welcomes interested
volunteers. Contact
W
bfreebz.org.
Green Reef
is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable use and conservation of Belize's
marine and coastal resources. It's actively involved in implementing management plans for
bird sanctuaries on the leeward side of Ambergris Caye. The organization also provides
educational programmes for schools in Belize, and accepts volunteers to help with many
aspects of its work. Contact
W
ambergriscaye.com/greenreef.
still covered with mangroves, which play an important role in the economy, not merely
as nurseries for commercial fish species but also for their stabilization of the shoreline
and their ability to absorb the force of hurricanes. Red mangrove dominates, although
in due course it consolidates the seabed until it becomes more suitable for less
salt-tolerant black and white mangroves. The cutting down of mangroves, particularly
on the cayes, exposes the land to the full force of the sea and can mean the end of a
small and unstable island.
Just inland from mangrove usually lies salt-tolerant
littoral forest
, many plants
characterized by tough, waxy leaves which help conserve water. Species include red and
white gumbo limbo, black poisonwood, zericote, sea grape, palmetto
and of course the
coconut palm, though it's not actually native and is now threatened by lethal yellowing
disease. The littoral forest supports a high density of migrating birds, due to the
succession of fruits and seeds, yet it also faces the highest development pressure in
Belize due to its slightly higher coastal elevation;
caye littoral forest
is the most
endangered habitat in the country.
The basis of the shoreline food chain is nutrient-rich mud, held in place by mangrove,
while the roots themselves are home to oysters and sponges. Young stingrays cruise
