Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

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.'

The first episode of Gems of Belize was all about the BWRC.  Worth a watch. 

Episode 2 will be all about the Green Iguana Conservation Project, and will be shown on Wednesday.

'The National Channel, in partnership with the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, presents Gems of Belize | Season Premiere:

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.

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 has new grant proposals for 2013 on their website.  They have a short video out about them.  They have a Research grant and an Environmental Fellowship grant.  Like normal, here are the categories for the grants:

Protected Areas Management and Conservation

Protected Areas Promotion and Development

Environmental Education and Awareness

Community Development around Protected Areas

"PACT has 3 Call for Proposals at http://www.pactbelize.org/News.aspx Deadlines in June 2013! Apply today!"

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.'

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)."

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!"

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."

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust is celebrating 20 years, and they have a wonderful video out explaining what they do around the Jewel.  Thanks, PACT, and here's to another 20 years of outstanding accomplishments!

"The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) is the national, non-profit partner in the funding, management and sustainable development of Belize's National Protected Areas System (NPAS).  Since 1996 the Trust has invested USD $15.5 million dollars in projects that support conservation and promote environmentally sound management.  PACT: Twenty Years of Investing in People and Protected Areas!"

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust is having another call for small and medium proposals, just in time for the September Celebrations.  Contact PACT at grantsinfo@pactbelize.org for more information. 

"PACT is hereby inviting eligible organizations to submit proposal applications for its upcoming grant cycle.  This call for proposals targets the following thematic areas: 

Protected Areas Management and Conservation  

Protected Areas Promotion and Development 

Environmental Education and Awareness 

Community Development around Protected Areas 

Funding is available for grants up to $200,000.  Project applications must fall within the thematic areas listed above.  All applications should be submitted to the relevant government agency (Forest Department or Fisheries Department) no later than October 28th, 2013 for the required letter of endorsement.  Thereafter, complete applications with all supporting documents should be submitted in hard copy to PACT no later than November 18th, 2013.  All project applications are subject to the established screening procedures."