belize forest department

On Monday, September 15th, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) hosted the 2025 Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge meeting at the Sun Breeze Hotel in San Pedro. The event brought together conservation leaders, policymakers, developers, and community stakeholders to highlight the importance of mangroves and encourage innovative, sustainable development across Belize.

On July 16, 2025, the Belize Forest Department launched a new 24-hour hotline (+501-610-1524) to report environmental crimes and forest-related concerns. The initiative offers the public a direct and immediate way to report activities threatening Belize’s forest resources, including illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and other environmental violations. Developed in collaboration with Belize Bird Rescue, the hotline aims to strengthen community involvement in forest protection and conservation efforts.

As part of the efforts toward enhancing mangrove conservation, carbon stock assessment, and environmental monitoring, the Belize Forest Department has been equipped with a Toyota Hilux vehicle valued at BZ$91,823. This investment will strengthen the department’s Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Unit, facilitating field activities essential for updating Belize’s mangrove map, conducting carbon stock assessments, and mobilizing critical data collection efforts.

An official ceremony occurred on Friday, June 21st, to inaugurate the Department of the Environment (DOE) office in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The office space will also accommodate the Belize Forest Department and will not only serve Ambergris Caye but Caye Caulker and Caye Chapel. The event was held at the Boca del Rio Beach Park and consisted of a brief ceremony attended by officials and guests. Area Representative and Minister of the Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management, the Honourable Andre Perez, Minister of Sustainable Development, the Honourable Orlando Habet, Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai, and Councilor Jose Castellanos were present to officiate this significant milestone for the island.

The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is embarking on a significant new project in collaboration with a mission team from the World Bank under the Blue Cities and Beyond Project. This project is not just about nature-based solutions for marine and freshwater management but also about spurring economic growth, attracting investments, and ensuring the well-being of water resources. It's a crucial initiative to concentrate on coastal areas vulnerable to climate events such as storms, assessing the impact on these "blue spaces."

Access to proper water and wastewater services is crucial to the residents of Ambergris Caye. The administration in charge, led by Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez, is committed to expanding and improving these services in the northern part of the island in collaboration with various partners, including Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), the Ministry of Economic Development (DOE), the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, the Belize Department of Environment, the Belize Forest Department, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the National Hydrological Service, and the Ministry of Economic Development, Belize.

As per the Area Representative of Belize Rural South (Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye), the Honourable Andre Perez, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, will soon see the opening of local branches for the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Belize Forest Department. This is a request islanders, particularly those in conservation, have advocated for years as they believe many construction developments in San Pedro are not environmentally friendly and do not adhere to proper regulations.

Over the last few years, ACES Wildlife Rescue has evolved from solely working with problematic and injured crocodiles to aiding all forms of wildlife in need. They have seen their share of creatures here on Ambergris Caye, from iguanas and bats to turtles, land and sea birds, and even opossums and ant eaters! One common call is when a boa constrictor harmlessly surfaces where he’s not welcome. ACES volunteers Ben and Rae Sept were in for a surprise when they answered a call to help relocate the largest boa the organization has ever seen.