As an innovative project, there are several lessons to be learnt and to be systematized. This project will be a motor for conducting a landscape approach in three protected areas with the aim of improving biodiversity and watershed protection. FCD intends to share knowledge and outputs through the following mechanisms:
1. Quarterly meetings with National Biodiversity Unit and Forest Department
2. Monthly briefings with BDF
3. Bi-monthly inter-agency meetings
4. Monthly FCD Senior Staff meetings
5. Quarterly meetings with CWCA and CORE
6. GEF quarterly briefings
FCD will also produce newsletter stories, press releases, and highlight features of the Watershed and its biodiversity, and at least two TV shows will be aired during the project implementation period.
FCD has no reservations with the involvement of women in the work we do including the area of enforcement; however, until now we have not had success in getting women applicants to the jobs. The training is strenuous and the distance to operate is remote. In areas where new staff are to be identified, FCD, will make specific emphasis on the interest to open the posts to women as well. In the Vaca area, on the other hand, we have found women participation increasing and FCD will seek to invite women farmers to participate on the meetings and sessions. We do know of women participating at CWCA and CORE actively in river conservation and will be included in planning and training sessions. In the MPR, we know of the Mennonite Community, however, we do not know at this stage how decision making is conducted. Consultations and one to one meeting will be encouraged to occur at the family level unless this is not a practical option.
Capacity - Building Component
FCD is a non-profit organization created in 1999 in San Jose Succotz, Cayo District. Legally it became incorporated as a Company and a non-governmental organization in 2005. Since then, it has made significant achievements and progress in environmental enforcement, public awareness, community outreach, monitoring, research, policy advocacy and bi-national cooperation.
FCD?s mission is to improve the ecological and cultural integrity of the Western Chiquibul-Maya Mountains by pioneering adaptive management of the Chiquibul Forest. Together with regulatory agencies including the Forest Department, Institute of Archaeology, and security forces, it is actively involved in the protection of the Chiquibul National Park and the Chiquibul Cave System through co-management agreements. In the Vaca Forest Reserve, the efforts have centered on the development of an alternative method for sustainable development using integrated farming practices since 2011. In the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, FCD has been a member of the tourism development planning team and is working with the Ministry of Sustainable Development in the formalization of an MoU for the management and protection of the Bald Hills.
Replication of project activities
FCD?s Advocacy Strategy has the purpose to guide and inform FCD?s effective engagements targeted at influencing the public knowledge and opinion, and government?s policies and best
practices for the advancement of the protection of the western Chiquibul-Maya Mountains.
One of the key deliverables identified is the development and implementation of a binational
watershed management plan/landscape management strategy for the Greater Chiquibul-Maya Mountains with national and regional partners/strategic allies. Through the establishment of the Mountain Pine Ridge Working Group and the continuous coordination with community leaders along the Mopan and Macal Rivers, this objective is coming to fruition. Equipment
required for its continuity has been acquired through this project and the local counterpart (BCSL) has also committed funds for the remaining equipment that can see to it the
advancement of further research in the Bald Hills.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
In the Chiquibul National Park there are no communities located within its boundaries, however, on the buffer areas of the Vaca there are four communities that will require to be incorporated into the planning and implementation of project activities. Arenal, Succotz, Benque and Vaca farmers use the Vaca plateau for agricultural practices. These farmers have been involved in the Friends of the Vaca Forest Reserve and will participate on the development of a stronger governance system. They will also be recipients of seed funds to help them promote their agroecological practices. These funds will be derived from other donors.
For the watershed protection a strong community member participation from both the Cayo Watershed Conservation Alliance (CWCA) and Care for our Rivers and the Environment (CORE) will occur. Members from these two associations are from the Cayo District primary with representatives from more than 8 communities. These individuals will participate in planning sessions and training. Likewise, the working group from the Mountain Pine Ridge will include key stakeholders located inside the reserve. At least 7 establishments will be involved in the development of a Terms of Reference for the working group and in developing an action plan. These will include among others, Blancaneaux Lodge, Hidden Valley, Bull Run Farms, Pacific Heights and GAIA.
Policy Influence
The Mountain Pine Ridge Water Monitoring Program that was instituted through this project will contribute to the water monitoring program of the Chiquibul Maya Mountains
in that it complements the existing aquatic systems monitoring in the Chiquibul. The information generated through this data collection process will also contribute to the National Water Quality Monitoring Program for the country of Belize. Since FCD coordinated with the Department of Environment, this ensured that we adhered to the national standards and protocols. Information collected were also shared with the
Department of the Environment.
As it relates to the enforcement efforts to deter illegal activities in the western border of
the Chiquibul, FCD has been actively engaged with the governmental agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Border Security and Ministry of Sustainable
Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management. Recognizing that this issue requires joint effort, we are pleased that these agencies recur to FCD for information and recommendations.
Project sustainability
rea of landscapes under improved management to benefit biodiversity (hectares): The field effort of the Karst, Research, Enforcement, Bald Hills and Vaca Rangers collectively contributed to an improved management of the
protected areas in the Western Maya Mountains by improving the monitoring of
biodiversity and human footprint across these landscapes. The Chiquibul National Park which FCD co-manages has an area of 285,937 acres, while the Vaca Forest
Reserve is approximately 37,000 acres. Area of landscapes under sustainable land management in production systems:
The promotion of agroecological practices and restoration of Cacao Creek in the Vaca Forest Reserve has the purpose of reducing the degradation of the forest, land and water resources. Practices such as the efficient irrigation systems, inga alley cropping, cover structures, reforestation and pasture management all contributed to this purpose and met the role of FCD in partnership with the Forest Department and Ministry of Agriculture.
Project Results
Objective 1- Improved public participation in the Vaca Forest and Bald Hills for watershed
protection: This first objective was met. As part of Objective 1.1 Improved and efficient
monitoring system in the Vaca; the system to monitor human footprint and biodiversity in
the Vaca Forest Reserve has greatly improved with the training and use of SMART. From
April 2021 to December 2022, Forest Rangers attached to the Vaca program conducted
124 patrols. The Forest Department was kept duly informed and updated on the
developments documented during the monitoring visits. This information was also shared
with the Vaca Working Group which held quarterly meetings. The Extension Technician
provided farmers with support to implement agroecological practices while in return,
farmers assisted in the reforestation efforts. Over 9,000 seedlings were planted which
included 5,400 Inga (Inga edulis) seedlings, 1,500 Ramon (Brosimum alicastrum), 800
Santa Maria (Calophylum brasilense), 500 Cedar (Cedrela orodata), 900 MyLady
(Aspidosperma megalocarpon), 400 Rain tree (Samanea saman) and 100 Guanacaste
(Enterolobium cyclocarpum). These seedlings were used for reforestation in the Vaca
Forest Reserve and other areas in the Cayo District. Eight farmers in the Vaca Forest
Reserve have engaged in conservation agreements with FCD which formalizes the mutual
collaboration for the protection of the reserve. The agreement also confirms the farmer?s
commitment to promote and adopt agroecological practices and FCD?s commitment to
provide support.
Objective1.2 Strengthened organizational capacity for watershed protection, FCD?s
Environmental Educator led activities with the three targeted groups: Cayo Watershed
Conservation Alliance (CWCA), Caretakers of Rivers and Environment (CORE) and the
Mountain Pine Ridge Working Group (MPRWG). The CWCA and CORE developed a
two-year plan of work and CORE was provided funds to conduct their clean up campaign
during the 2021 Ruta Maya. CWCA, was provided funds used to implement community
conservation activities in five (5) member communities. The Mountain Pine Ridge Working
Group, on the other hand, endorsed for a baseline Macroinvertebrate Water Quality
Assessment to be conducted as their conservation project. As part of this, Dr. Ed Boles
provided training in field collection, sorting and identification of macro inverts and the final
baseline report was developed.
The Research and Karst Programs were provided with the
equipment, gear and mobilization to continue with their work in the Chiquibul Forest. This
support allowed for the Research Unit to systematically collect data on the four
conservation targets identified in the Biodiversity Research, Inventory and Monitoring
(BRIM) Framework for the Chiquibul. This included the medium-large mammals and birds
(through camera trap monitoring), aquatic systems (water quality monitoring) and scarlet
macaw (biomonitoring during nesting season). The Park Rangers were also able to target
and address the illicit cattle ranching activity occurring along the Western Border through
three targeted operations. Through these operations, FCD was able to contribute to the
fourth conservation target which is labelled as ?Tropical Broadleaf Forest?.
