The Chiquibul Forest (Chiquibul National Park, Chiquibul Forest Reserve and Caracol Archaeological Reserve) comprises more than 30 percent of the terrestrial conservation zone of the country, and approximately 7.7 percent of Belize’s land mass. It is also home to the largest protected area of Belize, the Chiquibul National Park. Although considered one of the most prized areas of the protected area system and the country, this region continues to be under a diverse set of threats, primarily arising from a trans-boundary nature. The Forest Department and the Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) have been working together to manage this area and since 2005, PACT has been investing in these management efforts.
 
Illegal logging (up to 11 km inside Belize), milpa farming and poaching (this year 89 percent of Scarlet Macaw nests were poached) are the main stressors today and monitoring and enforcement is required on a long-term sustained basis to address these issues. FCD has established a biodiversity research program that will provide data for adaptive management of this area. Understanding the importance of research, the PACT is investing $100,000 to support data collection efforts, and to strengthen capacity for research and park surveillance. This brings PACT’s investment in the Chiquibul Forest to over $130,000 for this fiscal year (2011-2012).  

PACT was formally established in January 1996 with the passing of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust Act, No. 15 of 1995, creating the institution as a Statutory Board. The functions of PACT are to encourage and promote, for the benefit and enjoyment of the present and future generations of the people of Belize, the provision, protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural resources of Belize. The PACT is managed by a Board of Directors that is comprised of Government agencies, non-government organizations and individual experts.