Belize Conservation Projects

Chiquibul Partnership

Trekforce have entered a partnership for the Chiquibul National Park with Friends for Conservation and Development. This is a long term commitment to conservation in the Chiquibul-Maya Mountains area, and will see Trekforce continue to complete worthwhile projects in Belize.

For 2008 we have already had two projects spawned from this partnership:

• Clearing the northern boundary of the national park
  
• Constructing an observation post in the south of the park

These were completed as part of our 2 month expedition to Belize in Feb 2008 (08B1). You can be sure that the efforts will have a valuable presence in the Chiquibul National Park for years to come. 

Continue a legacy of vital conservation...

Trekforce have been operating in Belize since 1996, and have since completed many vital projects in all regions of this fascinating Caribbean country.

The need for conservation in Belize cannot be understated. It has an astonishing amount of biodiversity of plant, animal, bird and marine species from the deepest parts of the jungle to the most tranquil of cayes. Central America as a whole has seen a large amount of deforestation, and Belize is relatively untouched, so it is important to preserve what is left as it constitutes an important part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, which ensures the ability of species to migrate around the continent through their native habitats.

The range of protected areas in Belize is vast and they account for 44% of all land, but they are all fighting for the same government grants and can be unable to fulfil their aims because of lack of funding or man power.

Trekforce can provide this manpower and determination to see projects through to completion in a single expedition. Our projects are grassroots based, working directly with project partners to compelte projects that are essential in the wider scheme of conservation, be it scientific surveys, ranger station construction, trail clearance or exploratory transects.

How does conservation in Belize work? 

The potential project activities on a Trekforce expedition are specific to our project partner's management plans and all are intricate to the wider conservation effort for that area. For example:

• Scientific surveys - Get a clearer ecological picture of what is happening to flora and fauna in an area
  
• Ranger station construction - Strategic outposts for rangers of protected areas to base patrols and reduce logging and other illegal activites
• Trail clearance/Camp construction - Make the area accessible for eco-tourists, enabling the protected area to create a sustainable income
• Exploratory transects - Find out what is in an area and to see if it needs protecting (waterfalls, Mayan ruins, natural features, etc.)
  

Read about recent our work in Elijio Panti.

We produce a project report of our conservation work at the end of each year. If you would like a copy of this then call us on 0845 241 3085 or download it from our website.