BELIZE, Abalone Caye Island, Port Honduras - July 2002
Reparation of ranger station at the marine reserve
(Belize 2000 project page)
Click photo to enlarge
In December 2000, Seacology supported the Belizean organization Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) in constructing a ranger station for the monitoring and patrol of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. In its short history, the ranger station has led to a dramatic decrease in the illegal poaching of manatees. On October 8, 2001, Hurricane Iris, a Category IV storm carrying winds in excess of 140 mph, struck the Toledo District in Southern Belize. Thousands of homes were lost and millions of dollars in property damaged occurred. The Port Honduras ranger station withstood the storm but suffered some damage. Seacology assisted TIDE in its efforts by providing materials necessary to repair the damage done to the ranger station, thus ensuring a functioning base of operations for ranger patrols of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve.*
UPDATE July 2004 - The ranger station continues to be invaluable in protecting the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. Their grassroots method of management has become a model for other ranger stations in the area. This year, in addition to the standard training in community involvement and patrolling techniques, several rangers were trained by scientists to help monitor the reserve’s environmental recovery. While this project is an overall success, there have been some challenges. Non-Belizean poachers have been responding to the rangers with threats and acts of violence. In March, TIDE considered having rangers carry guns for protection, but decided instead to equip the station with one gun and a cellular phone. This has not stopped poachers’ threats, however, so TIDE has contacted the Belize military to ask for assistance.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by the
Nu
Skin Enterprises Force for Good Foundation
