2006 Conservation Projects

Jump forward to see our 2006 rainforest conservation projects in Belize and Borneo.

Belize 2006

Davis Falls

with Friends of the Valley

Boundary demarcation, trail clearing, infrastructure development/repair

At the time of the Trekforce group going out to Davis Falls, the second highest waterfall in Belize, it was in the process of gaining National Park status. Trekforce were asked to help protect the falls by demarcating boundary lines around them, and improve tourist facilities, clear trails and repair damaged steps, handrails and bridges. The facilities provide the means for increased tourism and a base for rangers to monitor and run the area. Funding was provided by the British High Commission for this project. to assist in the implementation of infrastructure development.

Rio Blanco

with the Rio Blanco Mayan Association

Boundary demarcation and camp infrastructure development

Rio Blaco National Park was established in 1994 by members of nearby communities to preserve the local ecosystem. Many species of flora found in this area are still used in traditional medicine, and many endangered species of fauna are also found here. The aim was to create a biological corridor to protect the diversity of species found in the area. The group defined a new, expanded northern boundary in conjunction with the project partner and the Forestry Department. They also created a camp within the park from which tourism could be improved and protecting the National Park from illegal logging and hunting, cut a trail leading to panoramic views of the Maya Mountains, and recorded any significant natural or man-made features for inclusion in the new park.

Aguacaliente

with the Aguacaliente Management Team

Visitor centre development

Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary (AWS) is a protected area of 5,492 acres established in 1998 and is the only major wetland system in southern Belize. In terms of biophysical value, the AWS was deemed the second most important are in belize by the National Protected Areas Policy and System Plan project.

The Trekforce team completed the existing but incomplete Visitor Centre by making a new latrine, providing a water source on site and general improvements to the Centre. They then constructed a boardwalk of approximately 2,250 ft to link the Visitor Centre to the first lagoon. This will increase visitor numbers coming to the AWS by providing improved infrastructure, and so provide a sustainable income for local communities and promote environmentally responsible tourism.

Upper Raspasculo

with the Royal Botanic Society (Edinburgh) & the Itznama Society

Scientific assistance and research, infrastructure development

The Chiquibul Forest Reserve is approx 1,744 km sq and is part of the largest naturally forested tropical area in Central American. The first part of the project saw the group working along the Upper Raspaculo River, an area largely untouched since Maya occupation about 1,000 years ago. Due to its remoteness, the Raspaculo River is one of the most biologically rich and diverse regions remaining in Central America, serving as a critical seasonal food source for many endangered species. Here volunteers recorded flora species alongside scientists, and assisted with transportation of collected specimens.

The second part of the project involved Trekforce’s return to Elijio Panti National Park, named after the Mayan spiritual healer, to carry out camp and trail development including rethatching existing pallapas and building a corral to contain the park’s horses, allowing the group to experience a very different type of work in another stunning location.

Borneo 2006

Danum Valley

with The Royal Society Innoprise Corporation & Yayasan Sabah, University of Zurich

Infrastructure development and scientific assistance

The Danum Valley Conservation Area is a classic example of primary lowland dipterocarp forest, making it is one of the foremost research locations in the world for the South East Asian Rainforest Regeneration Project (SEARRP). This area is also home to a great number of all mammal and bird species found in Borneo.

During the project the group constructed a research area for scientists working within this area, as well as assisting the scientists directly by marking planting lines that have been damaged by elephants and large mammals. They also marked the outer boundary so as to include a proposed buffer zone around the outer edges of the furthest plots.

Tabin

with the Sabah Wildlife Department(SWD) & Save the Orang-Utan Appeal (SOA)

Camp and infrastructure development

The Tabin Wildlife Reserve (TWR) is an 121,000 hectare reserve with a diverse range of forest types in varying levels of successional stages. Until the early 1970’s, Tabin was entirely covered by primary dipterocarp forest, but as a result of extensive logging until the mid 1980’s only a core area of 8,000 hectares remains. Since being declared a Wildlife Reserve in 1984, however, it has seen little to no logging activity and is recovering steadily.

Trekforce were asked to assist by building a camp and associated facilities for the SWD and SOA staff to monitor and observe orang-utan releases. This also assists in the 5 year plane of orang-utan relocation from Sepilok to TWR. This work included constructing a camp for the staff of the SWD & SOA, helicopter landing site, a solar powered electric fence to restrict elephant access, build a hanging bridge, and cut trails into the adjacent forest.

Maliau Basin

with Innoprise (part of the Sabah foundation)

Maliau Basin Bridge and trail construction/repair

The Maliau Basin was first discovered in 1946 when a pilot almost crashed into the cliffs around the rim of the Basin. This 59,000 hectare area of virgin primary rainforest remains mostly unexplored and has been put forward as a World Heritage Site. Many of the huge number of species found here are endangered, and the areas is still being studied with new species found regularly.

Trekforce was the first to enter the basin via the Maliau river valley in 2002, and this group’s return to the area was the tenth since then. Work done in this time has included mapping, exploration, trail and camp construction. Trekforce was asked back this time to assist in building a suspension bridge over the Ginseng river, and construction and repairing the trails along its north and south banks.