Conservation
Carbon Project to Safeguard Belize Maya Forest Achieves Major Milestone: Validation Unlocks Climate, Biodiversity, and Community Benefits
The Government of Belize (GOB) and the Belize Maya Forest Trust (BMFT) announced that the country’s largest carbon conservation project has successfully completed validation under VERRA’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS), the globally recognized program for voluntary carbon markets. This milestone confirms that the project meets rigorous environmental and social criteria, reinforcing the Belize Maya Forest’s critical role in climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development.
Conservation
Belize’s Reefs Suffer as Climate Change Intensifies
The issue of climate change continues to affect ecosystems worldwide, and in Belize, it has been threatening the Belize Barrier Reef. Rising water temperatures have caused severe bleaching across the reef system near San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and at sites in southern Belize, including Laughing Bird Caye, resulting in significant coral loss. Due to the severity of coral bleaching, environmental groups such as Fragments of Hope (FOH) are intensifying efforts to monitor coral resilience alongside their ongoing out-planting programs.
Conservation
UNESCO World Heritage Site Unveiled at Bacalar Chico in Historic Ceremony
On July 7th, conservationists, government officials, and community members gathered under the Caribbean sun, amidst the hum of mosquitoes, to witness a historic moment: the unveiling of the UNESCO World Heritage Site signage at Bacalar Chico, a jewel in Belize’s Barrier Reef Reserve System.
Community and Society
The Operating Costs of Sargassum Harvesters: Hol Chan to Seek Private Sector Partnership
The ongoing challenge of keeping San Pedro’s downtown beaches free of sargassum seaweed has added a financial burden to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Through a loan, Hol Chan acquired two harvester machines designed to collect the seaweed at sea before it reaches the shoreline. However, operating the equipment has resulted in additional expenses totalling thousands of dollars. To sustain the initiative, the organization is now seeking greater collaboration from the private sector.
Conservation
The Belize Fund Supporting Conservation Efforts in Southern Belize
The Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (Belize Fund), created in March 2022 following the Blue Bond initiative, organized a media tour on June 26–27, 2025, to highlight its efforts in managing Belize’s marine protected areas (MPAs). The two-day tour took a group of journalists and environmental experts to the southern waters of Belize, visiting locations such as Gladden Spit, Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, and Laughing Bird Caye National Park. The visit concluded with a trip to Punta Gorda Town and the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve.
Conservation
Government Forms Task Force to Strengthen Environmental Enforcement
Belize officially established a National Environmental Enforcement Task Force as of June 24th, signaling a significant shift in the country's attitude toward environmental preservation following years of inconsistent enforcement. The new task force, overseen by the Department of the Environment (DOE), aims to tighten the enforcement of environmental standards nationwide, reacting to rising complaints from environmentalists and communities about uncontrolled development and pollution.
Conservation
We Demands Action, Transparency, and Accountability in the Protection of Ambergris Caye’s Marine Reserves
Ambergris Caye Fishing Guide Association, Belize Flats Fishery Association, San Pedro BTIA, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Belize, North Ambergris Alliance, San Pedro Tour Operators Association, San Pedro Tourist Guide Association, Green Reef Environmental Educational and Coastal Research Institute, Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD) and Mayor Gualberto “Wally” Nuñez express serious concern and frustration over the ongoing mismanagement of Belize’s natural resources — particularly within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Community and Society
San Pedro Town Council to Kickstart Recycling Operations on the Island
The San Pedro Town Council is set to launch a series of municipal-level recycling operations to address the island’s growing waste management challenges. After months of research and consultations, the Council is moving forward with plans to introduce dedicated recycling initiatives for plastics, metals, and green waste, marking a significant step toward sustainable waste management for the community.
