Seacology has worked with the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) for many years on projects in Belize. TIDE’s goal is to protect some of the most pristine habitat in the entire Mesoamerican Complex. Its activities include enforcement of fishing regulations, control of human-caused wildfires, fishery management, education and outreach, research and monitoring, and ecotourism initiatives.

This project will allow TIDE to expand its popular Ridge to Reef Expeditions program. Ridge to Reef volunteers pay to come to Belize to work on conservation projects. These volunteers give TIDE a reliable income stream as well as labor for conservation projects. The first dozen volunteers helped, among other things, to start a sea turtle nest protection program, plant more than 500 trees, build a boardwalk for tourists, and conduct surveys of lionfish, conch, and sea cucumber. The Seacology grant will fund the construction of more housing for the volunteers.