Forest Protection Project

The aim of this project is to safeguard 4’650 hectares of tropical pine forests, grasslands, and mature humid broadleaf forest in Belize's Cayo District, located 23,5 kilometers east-southeast of San Ignacio. This area is home to 15 endangered species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and is primarily composed of a tropical pine savannah with a small section of tropical mixed broadleaf forest. Various bird conservation and protection studies have been conducted on the property since the project's inception, including a study on the threatened Orange-breasted falcons. The Cayo District, located in western Belize and adjacent to the Guatemalan border, is a diverse region with a variety of habitats and landscapes. This district encompasses over 5’000 square kilometers of lush river valleys, rugged mountains, rolling hills, sweeping broadleaf jungles, and cultural sites like the pre-Columbian Maya ruins of Xunantunich, the national capital of Belmopan, and the tourist town of San Ignacio. The project's goal is to protect the property as a carbon sink, preserve its biodiversity, and promote sustainable livelihoods for the local community. The climate objective is to prevent deforestation-related emissions during the project's duration.

This project has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 12’000 tons annually and create employment opportunities for maintenance, monitoring, and patrols, resulting in positive socioeconomic impacts.

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