Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: A Comparative Analysis and Assessment of Co-management in Belize Team Members : Ginny Leikam Stephanie Otis Tristan Raymond Nicole Sielken Tom Sweeney Faculty Advisor: Elizabeth Brabec, J.D., M.L.A.

Belize Team

The Belize Audubon Society (BAS): Non-governmental organization formed in 1969 as a foreign chapter of the Florida Audubon Society In 1973, it became an independent organization and was the first environmental NGO in Belize and is one of only two such organizations that manage protected areas in Belize. BAS is dedicated to conserving Belize’s biodiversity through its three programs: Protected Areas Management, Environmental Education, and Advocacy.

Belize Audubon Society and Protected Areas BAS oversees 7 Protected Areas: –1 natural monument –2 wildlife sanctuaries –2 national parks –1 nature reserve as part of a management contract with the Government of Belize (GOB). –1 private nature reserve. The total extension of these seven areas is approximately 150,000 acres.

Co-Management Defined Traditional Management separated people from nature In Developing nations, it was necessary to factor people into the equation of protecting biological diversity. However, management was still generally top-down. Emergence of integrated conservation regimes According to a UNDP/GEF project evaluation report, there are four types of co-management in Belize: 1) between the government and an NGO 2) between the government and local communities 3) between private landowners and the government 4) between the government and an NGO where the NGO is charged with working with buffer zone communities

Co-Management with Belize Audubon Society Since 1982, BAS and the Government of Belize have been co-managing protected area sites. In 2000, BAS initiated co-management with buffer- zone communities at 2 sites. Co-management project underway with funding from the EU –Formation of Local and Regional Advisory Committees –Economic Demonstration Projects –Training and Education Programs –Monitoring and Enforcement Despite improvement in management practices, barriers still exist to effective community involvement.

Problem Statement Traditionally communities have not been empowered to be involved in the decision-making processes in the management of protected areas. Despite improvements in management practices at CBWS and CTWS barriers in community participation still exist. Therefore, an assessment of the co-management project is needed to identify successes and impediments to effective co-management and community perceptions of the project.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary: Established in 1984 for the protection of resident and migrant birds Consists of 6,637 hectares of freshwater lagoons, marsh forest, broadleaf forest, pine/oak savanna and homestead farms. Convention on Wetlands designated CTWS as Ramsar site no. 946 in 1998, it is the only designated Wetland of International Importance in Belize (Ramsar database). There are four villages along periphery: Biscayne, Gardenia, May Pen, and Lemonal. The village of Crooked Tree is located in the center of the wildlife sanctuary and is the most populated of the five communities.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: Located in southern Belize, below the Maya Mountains. Declared a Forest Preserve in 1984 and finally a Jaguar Preserve in 1986, and is still the only jaguar preserve in the world. The park area is rich in wildlife and Mayan culture.

Objectives Compare the co-management projects at both Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary with similar projects in Belize and worldwide. Examine how the co-management projects have been implemented. Evaluate the mechanisms used to implement the co-management project (i.e. leadership trainings, education and economic demonstration projects.) Assess the variables affecting community attitudes and behaviors towards co-management. Identify both the barriers to effective implementation of the co- management projects and successes of the projects at both sites.

Methodology Review pertinent co-management documents and policies governing protected areas in Belize. Interviews with key stakeholders: –Buffer-zone communities at both sites (10 communities in total) –Key Government officials –Other NGO’s working in both areas and/or on other co-management projects –Belize Audubon Society Staff Focus Groups with local communities

Outcomes Recommendations to the Belize Audubon Society to effectively integrate the communities in management of the protected areas. Presentation of findings to Government of Belize, Belize Audubon Society and Communities.

Timeline May: Literature Review June – August: Conduct Field Research in Belize September – December: Data Analysis and Draft Initial Chapters of Report January – April: Finalize Report April – May: Presentations to Communities, Government Officials, and BAS.

Sources of Funding Prentice Foundation: $2,000 SNRE General Funds: $575 SNRE Alumni Incentive: $2,500 Rackham Discretionary Funds: $7,500 Belize Audubon Society: $2,000 –Plus in-kind donations International Institute: Latin America & Caribbean Studies Research (TBD) John Ball Wildlife Conservation Fund: (TBD)

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