Biodiversity Conservation Project Launched in Belize’s Maya Golden Landscape

A project aimed at integrating biodiversity conservation, protected area management, and sustainable livelihoods was officially launched at the Kiki Witz Resort, Belmopan. The initiative, titled “Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Belize’s Maya Golden Landscape” is supported by funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and involves a collaboration between the Government of Belize, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Ya’axche Conservation Trust. The four year project is set in the Maya Golden Landscape of Toledo and will benefit farmers and organized groups from ten stakeholder communities. The initiative will be implemented across both protected areas and community zones within the MGL, underscoring a landscape-level approach to conservation and development. The project’s anticipated outcomes include enhanced management of priority protected areas, community empowerment in biodiversity conservation and the dissemination of best practices and lessons learned through multi-stakeholder forums. These efforts aim to support sustainable resource use not only within the MGL but also across other landscapes in Belize.