Enhancing the Long-Term Sustainability for Biodiversity Conservation Across Three Renowned Conservation Areas in Belize

Beneficiary:         Belize Audubon Society

Funds Awarded: $399,939.75

Project Location: Community Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park and Guanacaste Park

Summary:           This project will be carried out in three protected areas co-managed by the Belize Audubon Society, the: Community Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park and Guanacaste National Park.  The following areas have been earmarked as areas that will be improved over the course of the project: increasing management effectiveness in these protected areas by ensuring that management plans are up-to-date and relevant for 2016; the need to engage buffering communities through education and increased economic opportunities; and the need to improve financial sustainability to continue on-site operations.  By the end of the project, management effectiveness of Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary will be strengthened and financial sustainability of the three protected areas (CBWS, SHBHNP and GNP) would have improved.