TIDEBelize

Celia Mahunhg

Belize is a country with significant diversity and beauty of natural resources and people. The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE)co-manages the Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Payne's Creek National Park. West Snake Caye is a small caye (or island) in the reserve with fringing reefs and one of the most beautiful places on earth - above and below the water.

Involve local, national and internationl community participation in resource management and sustainable use of ecosystems within the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor of southern Belize for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) is a nongovernmental organization with staff and volunteers who live the mission to “foster community participation in resource management and sustainable use of ecosystems within the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor of southern Belize for the benefit of present and future generations.” The protected areas in southern Belize co-managed by TIDE include the Port Honduras Marine Reserve (with the Fisheries Department), Payne’s Creek National Park (with the Forest Department) and the TIDE Private Protected Lands. TIDE provides an opportunity to offer natural and cultural amenities unparalleled in the region. A conceptually unique “ridge to reef” Conservation Action Strategy has been developed for the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor and guides the work of TIDE into the future. As strategies are implemented, data collection, analysis and reporting become important to allow management to adapt to current and quickly changing realities. A quick review of the TIDE 2010 work plan reveals the commitment to ensuring that Belize remains green…and blue. TIDE focuses on both terrestrial and marine projects. Terrestrial projects include water quality monitoring and analysis of important rivers, assessments of native fish and macro invertebrates, and forest restoration on rivers. TIDE worked collaboratively with the villages of San Miguel and San Pedro Colombia to build a nursery for indigenous vegetation and to conduct reforestation of the riparian zone. TIDE Terrestrial research includes the Caribbean Pine, the Yellow-headed Parrot, Fire Management effectiveness, migratory birds, and the white-lipped peccary. To study bio-diversity, TIDE maintains four transects on the TIDE Private Protected Lands and two transects within Payne’s Creek National Park. Marine projects focus on water quality, coral, reef fish, lobster, conch, and seagrass. Mapping the littoral forest, sea bird sites, fish nurseries, manatee and turtle habitats and mangroves is of great importance to build on the work currently undertaken by TIDE scientists and rangers in the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. Resource protection is conducted through surveillance, patrol and enforcement, education and outreach, research, and involving the community. Fifteen members of the community joined TIDE in 2009 as Community Stewards receiving additional, specialized training to ensure that conservation is a part of daily life in the communities that buffer the protected areas. To promote benefits of environmental consciousness and conservation of protected areas in southern Belize, TIDE maintains an active messaging strategy designed to raise awareness and involvement. TIDE works through the internet and social media to reach out to the world and through an active Environmental Education and Outreach Program designed to engage and involve the communities of the Toledo District.