Birds, Other Wildlife and People All are Benefitting from Rain Forest Rescue in Belize
Work supported in part by Rain Forest Rescue donations continued in Belize, with efforts focused on the Bladen River Nature Reserve. This 97,000-acre wilderness contains the most pristine protected rainforest in the country and some of the most rugged, unspoiled habitat in the entire Maya Forest. Much of the land remains unexplored and is the home for at least 194 bird species and 300 other animal species such as the agouti, peccary, tapir, mountain lion and jaguar. It is a land of old-growth trees and swift-flowing streams and waterfalls. The Reserve has been protected by the government of Belize since 1990 and is currently open only to research scientists.
Despite the protected status of this marvelous wildlife habitat, the security of its wild inhabitants depends on management methods and law enforcement, but most importantly the understanding and cooperation of local people. Much of the effort of The Nature Conservancy and its local partner, Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE), has been directed toward the education of people living in areas adjoining the Bladen River Nature Reserve as well as the more direct management efforts. Here are some of them:
-
In Chiquibul National Park, not far from Bladen Reserve, protective patrols are conducted along the border with Guatemala. Salaries to support two rangers have provided a presence that has discouraged illegal activities such as the looting of archaeological artifacts. At the same time, community outreach is used in cooperation with a local partner, Friends for Conservation and Development. These efforts have promoted civic pride and respect for the area’s natural heritage.
-
To establish the fire management capacity of land managers in Belize’s network of protected areas, prescribed burn training for 25 practitioners was provided. Belizean instructors were used who have completed numerous training sessions with The Nature Conservancy. This successful training has resulted in the use of fire as a management tool on two protected area sites where it was needed.
-
Research on harpy eagles and migratory birds continued, with a focus on establishing an avian baseline for the Bladen Reserve. Toward this end a bird banding and monitoring site was set up on the property as part of the Institute for Bird Populations network. Results showed that 45% of the birds in the Reserve are migratory and 55% are resident. Data such as population density, age-specific abundance, over-wintering survival and distribution are being analyzed and will be used to develop management and conservation locally and throughout the Maya Forest.
-
An important project has been to engage community residents in the stewardship of the Bladen Nature Reserve. For example, in-the-field activities were provided for more than 200 students from five local villages buffering the reserve and the Maya Mountains. The focus of these educational activities was mist-netting, bird banding, and bird counting techniques. This provided the springboard to broader education about the importance of habitat conservation, not only for birds, but for wildlife, forests and people.
The success being experienced in Belize is due to a rising generation of local people who understand the value of the rain forest and are willing to add their support to its protection. One of these people is William Garcia. Read more about William’s inspiring story.
Next: A Ray of Hope in the Maya Mountains of Belize
Save 2,500 Square Feet of Rain Forest Today
