Protected and conserved area(s) concerned

Bladen Nature Reserve;

Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve;

Golden Stream Corridor Preserve

The BIOPAMA AC Objectives addressed

Enhance the management and governance of priority protected areas by addressing existing limitations.

Project activities

• Maintain existing boundary lines and open newly demarcated lines (signage at regular intervals, ATV to access boundaries, GPS Survey Kit)

• Increase patrol coverage, including hotspot areas, across the three PAs of MGL (equipment, uniform, boots, hammocks)

• Sign formal agreement with Belize Defence Force, delineating clear areas for collaboration.

• Conduct targeted capacity building trainings for protected areas staff (intelligence gathering training, specialised wilderness training, drone use training, GIS training and mapping for conservation, access to GIS Pro (subscription), and Green Laws training)

• Develop and implement a gender sensitive MGL protected areas campaign for stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, on the importance of protected areas, ecosystem services provided, regulations of PA and processes to access resources in protected areas (outreach to 5 communities, 5 primary school and 2 high schools, promotional/informational materials (caps, tote bags, stickers, brochure, folder, mugs).

The change the project implementation will bring for the protected area(s)

Realising that protected areas management is people centred, this project aims to change the perception that protected areas are unnecessary and mere land areas locked away from the public. While working toward changing this perception, the project will change the current levels of awareness of rules and regulations related to protected areas by providing education and outreach campaigns on the subject and improving management presence in key hotspots where illegal activities occur within the protected areas. The goal here is for an eventual transition from enforcement to compliance of rules and regulations. Ensuring clear delineation of boundary lines by physically opening the lines and installing signs will assist greatly in creating the awareness necessary for an eventual status of compliance with rules and regulations. To achieve compliance the project will improve and build the capacity of the enforcement & compliance teams, providing enhanced protection for select protected areas in the Maya Golden Landscape.

Download the project infofiche.

Implementing organisations:

Ya’axché Conservation Trust

Photo credits: © Ya’axché Conservation Trust

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