The Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD) was officially registered as community-based none profit organization on 18th of September 2008, and became a fully registered NGO in September 2018. SACD holds a co-management responsibility of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in partnership with the Forest Department since 2012. Over the 10 years since its establishment, it has focused on not just the management of the CBWS, but also in strengthening ecosystem-based conservation of the river to reef Northern Belize Coastal Complex seascape, stretching from the New River to the reef at Bacalar Chico Marine Reserves, recognizing that protected areas cannot be managed in isolation. SACD is governed by an Executive Board composed of representatives from various local sectors and expertise such as education, and tourism/business sectors, conservation, finance and a representative from the Corozal Bay Advisory Committee. The SACD is an active promoter of conservation in the communities surrounding the Corozal bay, through a number of specific program areas, including but not limited to environmental education, community engagement, surveillance and enforcement, research and monitoring and community development. As part of this efforts SACD is considered as one of the leading entities regarding water quality in Belize, with a well-established programme since 2015. SACD also has a great deal of experience managing projects that range from small and medium and has worked with the GEF_SGP since 2012. The SACD will be collaborating with a group from Orange Walk Town called Friends of New River. The FNR is a Community-Based Organization comprised of community members of Orange Walk Town. The FNR was formed in 2017 as a response to the eutrophication event of the New River. The group has been actively working with the Government of Belize to ensure that the New River issue be addressed. Thus far the New River Task Force was established in 2019 to work towards the restoration of the River. FNR and SACD are core members of this task force. The FNR members are working professionals from various sectors that are advocating for the restoration of the river. This group is committed in finding a long-term solution to the problem of pollution of the New River.

This is a planning grant.