1. Belize Case Study
Introduction

2. 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

3. 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)

4. Forest cover: Belize and Guatemala

5. Rapid change…

6. Development-Conservation conflicts

7. 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.

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

9. 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