Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The Belize Audubon Society is accepting nominations for the 38th Annual James A. Waight Award. If you know anybody that is outstanding in regards to conservation and protection of the environment, now's the time to nominate them.  The deadline is 5pm, Friday, December 15.

'The efforts of the nominee must demonstrate a strong social dimension and display innovation or non-traditional approaches.

The Belize Audubon Society will be giving away mahogany seedlings to celebrate Earth Day starting on Tuesday, April 20th.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNxsRLalyAY/

"With Earth Day approaching on 22nd April, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting another Mahogany tree giveaway as part of our 'Greening Across Belize' initiative!

We will have 500 Mahogany trees available from Tuesday 20th April, which can be collected from either Guanacaste National Park, or the BAS head office in Belize City.

Anyone is welcome to collect a tree; they will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't miss out on the chance to help create a #GreenBelize by planting our national tree in your own back yard!"

Congratulations, Ella Baron!  She won the 2020 James A. Waight award from the Belize Audubon Society.  She won the award for her work at the Caves Branch Botanical Gardens.  

"The James A. Waight Award is the Belize Audubon Society's annual conservation award, presented to a deserving individual or organization in recognition of positive work in the protection and enhancement of Belize ‘s environment. Held annually on February 16, the birthday of the Society's first President and a founding member James A. Waight, the 34th James A. Waight Award was presented to Mrs. Ella Baron for her outstanding contribution to Belize’s flora and fauna through environmental education, capacity building, conservation research, wildlife rehabilitation, and much more.

After the 2008 establishment of the on-site Botanical Gardens of Caves Branch Jungle Lodge alongside her husband, Ian Anderson, Ella has built a strong team to preserve Belize’s flora through collaborative research efforts, community engagement, and public awareness on its ecological value. Today, the Caves Branch Botanical Gardens hosts the country’s largest collection of orchids and bromeliads.

Also located at Caves Branch Jungle Lodge is the National Tamandua Rescue and Rehabilitation Center a refuge for the local anteater in the country. As the only Tamandua rehabilitator in the country, Ella has nursed 17 tamanduas to rehabilitation to date! Today, Ella continues her work alongside her team as a trainer, teacher, advocate of sustainable tourism & development, researcher, rehabilitator, and much more. Congratulations once again to our 2020 James A. Waight Award recipient, Mrs. Ella Baron!"

Video of the day.  The Belize Audubon Society made a video for the 50th anniversary.   HQ Youtube video here.

"Celebrating 50 Years of Belize Audubon Society! 

Fifty years after our inception, Belize Audubon Society continues to be a nationally recognized conservation leader and development partner that works through strategic partnerships in our programs of Protected Areas Management, Environmental Education, Biodiversity Research & Monitoring, Community Outreach & Development, and Membership. Today, we strive towards creating a balance between people and the environment – a vision shared by our founding members since 1969.


As the proud co-manager of seven (7) Protected Areas in Belize, we invite you to explore the work we do and get involved! Join us as we celebrate #BASat50 throughout 2019. Learn how at www.belizeaudubon.org"

The Institute of Archaeology made a short video about the BAS, which is from June 28th through the 30th, at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.  

The Belize Audubon Society had their Music and Art in Nature Camp at the Blue Hole and Guanacaste parks, and the kid's loved it.  Thanks, BAS,  PACT, and Giselle!

"Children from the Buffer Communities of St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park and Guanacaste National Park connect with Nature through Music and Art. They participate in Scavenger Hunts, nature walks, hikes, painting, and singing.  We thank Music Instructor Ms. Giselle E. O'Brien for her fun session!!  This activity was made possible through the support of Protected Areas Conservation Trust!"

Know any outstanding conservation champions?  Now's the time to nominate them for the Belize Audubon Society's James A. Waight Award.  Nominations are open until December 17th.

"We are excited to announce that we are opening public nominations today, for the 2022 James A. Waight Award.

This award is presented annually in the memory of one of the Society’s founding members, Mr. James A. Waight, to individuals or organizations in recognition of significant contribution, nationally or locally, to the conservation and enhancement of Belize’s environment."

There's 2 days left to nominate someone for the Belize Audobon Society's James A. Waight Award. Know any conservation champions?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKpaWAFlGIE/

"Don't forget, you've got just two days left to submit your nominations for the 2021 James A. Waight Award!

If you know a conservation hero in Belize who works tirelessly for the benefit of the environment, now's your chance to celebrate them!

Just email members@belizeaudubon.org before midnight on Sunday 31st with your reasons of why they should win, with photo and video supporting evidence if possible.

Full criteria for the award here - https://tinyurl.com/y2j7nt8c"

Video of the day.  Johannes Johnson won the Explore, Enjoy, and Conserve video competition with his great video about Guanacaste National Park.  The Belize Audubon Society is celebrating 50 years, and had the competition to get everyone involved.  It worked.  

"Congratulations to Johannes Johnson on winning 1st Place in our 'Explore, Enjoy, Conserve' Video Competition!

Guanacaste National Park seemed to be the most popular site, and Johannes did an excellent job showing the site's activities, accessibility, and value. For the creative and skillful video that also encouraged stewardship, Johannes will recieve a 1st prize pacakge valued at $1,000.00, including $750.00 cash! We launched our video competition by inviting the public to submit a short video showing how you explore, enjoy, and conserve a BAS co-managed Protected Area. We recieved 10 excellent videos, making this decision a very tough one. For that reason, all entrants into our competition will also recieve a prize for participation!

Thank you to everyone that entered, and congratulations once again to Johannes Johnson! Check out how he explores, enjoys, and conserves Guanacaste National Park."

Thanks, Belize Audubon Society, for another year of fun Summer camps for the kids.

"This year's Summer Camps were a huge Success. Throughout the months of July and August over 250 children joined us as we learnt together about Nature. Merging Music and Art with Nature proved to be quite an amazing experience as the children sang, painted and became inspired by our natural environment and wildlife. We extend our sincere appreciation to the many Belizeans that joined us this year for a fun-filled Summer."

The Belize Audubon Society is getting ready for their Summer Camp series.  Lots of great sites around Cayo, and Belize, will be visited. 

"Summer is almost here and we have prepared fun-filled camps! Join us as we learn from nature and engage in exciting adventures. Our BAS Summer Camps......'Where learning about nature is fun!' For more information about our camps call us at 223-5004"