Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Feelgood news of the day. PACT has given scholarships to 15 students so they can attend tertiary level educational institutions.  Thanks, PACT, for investing in the future of Belize!  Some will attend Sacred Heart Junior College, while others will attend Galen University, and others will go to the University of Belize.  Awesome!

PACT is celebrating 27 years this month. They put together a nice little video about their mission over the decades. Thanks, PACT, for all you've done for conservation around Cayo and Belize.

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust awarded over $5 million to conservation agencies around Belize, with most of it going to the Friends for Conservation and Development and the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, which are here in Cayo. Thanks, PACT!

'The Protected Areas Conservation Trust announces that it is investing $1,671,968.58 in several protected areas in Belize through a one-year Transition Plan, along with three extraordinary investments totalling $3,4564,197.96. The award ceremony, saw eleven (11) protected areas co-managing entities as recipients of these investments.'

Congratulations to the 34 Park Rangers that are now Special Constables.  Thanks, PACT! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNFo_GglR7Q 

"On Wednesday, March 24th, the National Biodiversity office held the graduation ceremony and swearing in for the first cohort of Rangers to receive Special Constable Training. After an intensive 2-week training program funded by PACT and designed by the Belize Police Department and the National Biodiversity Office, 34 rangers among the Belize Protected Areas System have been equipped with the legal authority to make arrests for infractions within Protected Areas and have demonstrated the required knowledge for gathering evidence and preparing case files necessary for effective prosecution following arrests.

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust is having a Photo Challenge for Earth Day.  Simply post and tag your photos.  Happy Earth Day!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_SpRSYlRc0/

"Today, April 22nd 2020, marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day - a day when Belize and the world celebrate our planet and are reminded to take action on environmental issues that affect us.  The theme for Earth Day 2020 is Climate Action.  Ironically, this year’s Earth Day is taking place during one of the most widespread and deadly pandemics the world has seen for generations. As a result, our celebrations are limited to the vicinities of our homes and to our immediate surroundings.

Video of the day.  The Protected Areas Conservation Trust released a video to celebrate their 22nd anniversary.  The video explains many of the projects they fund around Cayo and Belize.  Happy birthday, PACT!  

"In 2018, PACT marked 22 years of work in the protected areas of Belize. The organization has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1996 and has grown to be a locally, regionally and internationally recognized Trust Fund. We are proud of the effort that Belize has put in the sustainable management of protected areas, through a dedicated financial mechanism, as is PACT. This short video highlights some of the major successes so far and the work continues!"

Video of the day.  Daniel Velazquez made a short documentary about the No Plastic No Styrofoam Kids Summer Camp that was held in Bullet Tree.  Shot over the duration of the camp, it highlights some of the events and activities, along with the clean-up the kids did.   Worth a watch. 

"This video is a 3-minute summary of our “1st No-plastic, No-styrofoam Kids Summer Camp, 2018”, which we held in our village of Bullet Tree Falls in July of this year. It highlights the goals of the camp, main activities carried out, interactive educational methods used and lessons learned by the children. This video was shot and edited by Daniel Velazquez of the Belize Soul Project, produced by Dr. Anita F. Tzec and fully funded by the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT)."

Pictures from the event.

The Bullet Tree Falls Sustainable Summer Camp had a community clean-up campaign this weekend.  They also had a clean up yesterday at the Bullet Tree swim spot.  Betta No Litta!  They are imploring everyone to leave only footprints.  

"Today was an important day of our “1st No-Plastic, No-Styrofoam Kids Summer Camp, 2018”. We held the community cleanup activity, through which we seek to create awareness in our children and their families, that we are all responsible for keeping our village clean. That we should not expect anyone else to come clean it up for us; and most importantly, so that children can see that most of the garbage being generated in the village and thrown on the streets, in the culverts and drains are SINGLE-USE PLASTIC AND STYROFOAM.

I thank all the kids who participated, as well as all the parents who came out to support their children this morning. I also thank the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), for supporting our camp, but also for joining us today in our community cleanup, in the person of Mrs. Joyce Tun. We highly value and appreciate your continued support. In Bullet Tree Falls, we really need to start making a collective effort to solve the garbage problem that this village has! If we don’t make the positive changes today, we will be facing some very challenging health and environmental issues in the very near future."

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was launched yesterday at Falcon Field.  Many local organizations and schools were in attendance.  Part of the ceremony was the planting of trees around the park.  

"Minister of State, Hon. Omar Figueroa, officially launched Belize’s first-ever National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) at the San Ignacio Falcon Field today in celebration of 25 years of Biodiversity. With the launch of this strategy, Belize articulates its firm commitment to secure the future of Belize’s biodiversity, which is our abundant variety of plants and animals."

PACT got some great pictures.

"The NBSAP outlines the country’s 20 national biodiversity targets which we have all been working to achieve as we committed to. For its part, PACT has and will continue to prioritize biodiversity and ecosystem protection for financing through its investment program.

Today’s event also included a 'green space' partnership between the Forest Department and the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Council for a tree-planting initiative, an exhibition on biodiversity management and benefits, and an art competition for students."

The GoB has a statement and pictures.

There's a new conservation post in the Chiquibul.  The Caballo Conservation Post had its inauguration.  Thanks, PACT and FCD!  Protect the Chiquibul!

"Chiquibul National Park gets new Conservation Post valued at BZ $115K with funding from PACT and Environmental Management Fund! Established by: the Belize Forest Department, Belize Police Department, Belize Defence Force and Friends for Conservation and Development - FCD Belize on July 31, 2017."

Protect the Chiquibul!  This will be easier to do now that PACT has donated 6 Toyotas which will be used to patrol it.  Thanks, PACT!  

"Today, the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) hosted an official vehicle handover ceremony in Belmopan. Six new vehicles, valued at a total of $450,146.30 were handed over to the 4 beneficiaries of the Chiquibul Forest Investment Initiative (CFII). The CFII Consortium includes the Belize Defence Force (BDF), the Belize Forest Department, Ya'axché Conservation Trust and Friends for Conservation and Development - FCD Belize.  The main objective of the Initiative is to increase the management presence and strengthen enforcement within the Chiquibul and the surrounding forest areas along our Western border.  PACT thanks the members of the CFII Consortium for the commitment and invaluable service they provide through the management and protection of these protected areas!  https://goo.gl/r5Ca8h"

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust and the Belize Audubon Society inaugurated the new Nature Center at St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park.  The Belize Audubon Society got some great pictures too.

"Saint Herman's Blue Hole National Park just got an upgrade!  Congratulations Belize Audubon Society and thank you for being one of the country's greatest supporters of the environment!  For all the details on PACT's investment and the Belize Audubon Society's new Nature Centre, click here! https://goo.gl/BRtyLU"

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust is launching their Youth Academic Support Grant program, and they'll provide 20 scholarships for Belizean youths to attend Belizean tertiary institutions.  

'PACT’s Youth Academic Grant Support Program is currently seeking applicants from ages 15 – 29 for academic support grant awards of $5000 (for associate degree) and $10,000 (for bachelor’s degree). A total of twenty (20) support grants will be awarded for studies at a Belizean tertiary institution. Grants for the successful applicants will be available starting in the January 2024 semester. Only applicants who are in their first year (first or second semester) of studies are eligible to apply.'

PACT is celebrating their 27th anniversary this month. They'll have trivia on Tuesdays and Thursdays to celebrate the occasion, and you can win prizes if you guess correctly.  Happy anniversary, PACT!

'The protected Areas Conservation Trust will be celebrating its 27th Anniversary this month. We are proud of all we have achieved over the past 27 years, and we are excited to be celebrating another milestone. We want to extend our excitement to all our supporters. All month long we will be sharing fun facts, posting PACT Trivia and challenges, and contests where you can win amazing prizes. Keep an eye on our pages for your chance to win.'

Happy 25th anniversary to the Protected Areas Conservation Trust!   They have a lot planned for the year.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CP7HiLrlNXk/

"PACT Celebrates 25 Years of Supporting the Management of the Belize National Protected Areas System.

June 6th, 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT). PACT Invites the public, community-based organizations, and established investment partners to join us in celebrating such a significant milestone by looking out for our planned activities throughout our 25th year."

Bullet Tree Falls inaugurated their new water system this week.  The new system is powered mostly by solar energy, and was able to be installed thanks to the Protected Areas Conservation Trust.  Thanks, PACT!  https://www.instagram.com/p/CMmic2Nl2Yw/

"On Monday, March 15, 2021 the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government hosted the inauguration ceremony for the Bullet Tree Falls Water System.

For years now Bullet Tree villagers received water directly from the river, with no prior treatment and using electric pumps to do so. Now thanks to a $400,000 funding contribution from PACT, the expansion and reinforcement of the village’s water system will provide safe, potable water from the Mopan River, which is ultimately fed by the Chiquibul Forest. They are also utilizing enhanced Green Infrastructure Technology to do so. The new water system is mostly powered by solar energy supporting a low-wastage treatment process.

Happy 23rd anniversary, PACT!  The Protected Areas Conservation Trust is having activities this week to celebrate.  They are also having a video competition.  

Video of the day.  The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic has a great video out showing some of their wild patients over the years, and talking about the new Wildlife Ambassador Program.  

"WAP’s Mission is to improve wildlife conflict response and reduce poaching, trafficking and trade by providing law enforcement and community with relevant tools and information.

BWRC Highlights of 2018: The Wildlife Ambassador program launch. Most of BWRC's patients are victims of wildlife traffic and human wildlife conflict. So in order to save more wildlife we need the help of community members and BWRC hopes to reach out with education to solve or avoid conflict. Thanks to WWF Russel E Train and Protected Areas Conservation Trust PACT as well as San Ignacio Resort Hotel for the support for the 1st Ambassador Workshop in October. 

Contact us bzwildlifeclinic@gmail.com if you would like to become a wildlife ambassador in your community and learn more. 

If you see a wild animal in trouble, or a wildlife species is "giving you trouble" call or WhatsApp our BWRC assistants for free advice at 615 5159 (or 632 3257)."

The Cebada Conservation Post is finished.  Looking good.  Protect the Chiquibul!  

More pictures: from Omar Figueroa.

"Yesterday June 14th, 2018 PACT travelled deep into the Chiquibul Forest for the inauguration of the Cebada Conservation Post. The inauguration ceremony was organized by PACT, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration (MAFFESDI), Ministry of National Security, Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) and the Environmental Management Fund (EMF). The 20’ x 33’ conservation post was officially handed over by Hon. Dr. Omar Figueroa, Minister of State in the MAFFESDI and Hon. John Saldivar, Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Hugo Patt, Hon. Angel Campos and Hon. Frank Mena, several Government CEOs, Heads of Department, and personnel from the Forest Department, Belize Defence Force, Belize Police Department, FCD, PACT and the media. The CP will now be able to permanently accommodate a multi-agency enforcement team of twelve (12). Among its many features, it includes ample sleeping quarters, a water catchment system and an off-grid solar system to generate electricity for the CP.

The completion of this CP is another major milestone in the Conservation of Belize’s Natural Heritage accomplished through the Chiquibul Forest Investment Initiative (CFII). The CFII was launched in December 2016 and, at BZ$15.8 Million, represents the single largest investment designated for Biodiversity Conservation in Belize. A part of this Initiative is a BZ$2.28 million investment from PACT and the EMF. The CFII is being implemented by a consortium of partners, namely the Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), Ya’axche’ Conservation Trust (Ya’axche’), the Belize Forest Department (FD), and the Belize Defence Force (BDF).

Video of the day.  The Friends for Conservation and Development have a video out about the Chiquibul watershed, and how it affects every single one of us.  Thanks, PACT and FCD!  Protect the Chiquibul!

Video on Youtube.

"One of the biggest environmental goods derived from the Chiquibul Forest is water. This video developed by Nick Lormand, funded by PACT, captures this message."

Video of the day.  Happy 21 years to the Protected Areas Conservation Trust!  Here's to many more.

"Today marks the 21st anniversary since the launch of PACT as Belize’s national Conservation Trust! PACT was designed to aid the promotion and conservation of Belize’s natural and cultural heritage through grant funding. We officially opened our doors on June 6, 1996. To date, we've provided BZ $33.9 million in aid and funded over 500+ project, scholarship and capacity building grants. We thank all our friends and partners in conservation and look forward to many more years of service!"

Video of the day.  The History of PACT is a short documentary about the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, and covers them from inception to current day.  You can see how important their role is in conservation in Belize.  Thanks, PACT!

"Taking it back to 2004 with a short documentary film on the role and functions of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust."

Great way to protect the Chiquibul!!!  Thanks, PACT! 

"The Chiquibul Forest is one of the largest protected areas. The plant diversity of the Chiquibul is vast, hosting over 300 species of trees, 452 species of herbs, and 109 orchid species.  It represents 7.7% of our national territory.  Along with the areas surrounding it, it forms a critical habitat for several threatened and endangered species such as jaguars, scarlet macaws and the black howler monkey.  This investment represents the largest given to four agencies for a joint venture, in the history of PACT – a gesture of faith in the future of conservation and a gift that will continue to benefit Belizeans for many years to come."