Belize Case Study Introduction

A small, young and still developing democracy ~ 300,000 inhabitants became independent from Britain in 1981 only English-speaking country in Central America also part of the Caribbean stable democracy; currency pegged to US$ (1 US$ = 2BZ$) very diverse in natural features and history

Belize is still fairly intact when compared to neighboring countries Approximately 36% of the country is under some form of protection 55-60% under natural vegetation cover Opportunities to create biological corridors between protected areas (but not for long)

Forest cover: Belize and Guatemala

Rapid change…

Development-Conservation conflicts

Deforestation is accelerating, mostly in lowland and/or coastal areas. Shipstern Deforestation is accelerating, mostly in lowland and/or coastal areas. Lowland seasonal and evergreen forests at great risk of disappearing.

The BELIZE PROJECT 1989 – 2014 From 88 km2 of protected areas to 235 km2: a conservation success – with many new challenges !

CSFI: challenges Corazal Sustainable Future Initiative Honey Camp and Freshwater Creek: under CSFI's protection, the budget has nearly doubled to US$230,000 / year National Park and Forest Reserve: Infrastructure investment estimated at min. US$ 200’000.- Corridors to connect the three protected areas, which will involve land acquisition (in progress) Attempt to save two key areas West and North of Shipstern Nature Reserve. Estimated investment: US$5’000’000.- Their objectives