Ya’axché Conservation Trust is a community-oriented NGO in southern Belize whose mission is to conserve biodiversity and advance sustainable development. We recognise that long-term conservation requires community support and that long-term development requires healthy and functional ecosystems. Thus, we place an equal emphasis on the two goals. We manage two protected areas, Blad... Read more...

On September 23rd, 2011, APAMO will be holding its first Protected Areas Symposium under the theme:"Communities and Resource Managers:Bridging the Gap – Engaging Communities in Integrated Resource Management"  The Symposium will be held at the Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.  All are invited to attend and participate, and to learn how communities, whose livelihoods depend on the sustainability of natural resources, can become ... Read more...

In September 2011 APAMO will be hosting its 1st Protected Areas Management Symposium The theme of the Symposium is:      Communities and Resource Managers: Bridging the Gap – Engaging Communities in Integrated       Resource Management  To view the Call for papers please click the link below http://issuu.com/apamo/docs/apamo_1_pa_mngmt_sy... Read more...

The Belize Coalition To Save Our Natural Heritage is asking for you to take action to ban oil exploration both offshore and in Belize's protected areas.  Please view our documents and sign the petition or become a member of the coalition. Visit http://www.apamo.net/index.php/take-action to download petition forms. Send filled petitions to our APAMO office in Belize City. ... Read more...

The Community Baboon Sanctuary Women’s Conservation Group hosted a summer camp for children from seven local villages. The summer camp is a community educational outreach program that focuses on environmental awareness, conservation issues and academics. Children viewed an APAMO presentation highlighting Belize’s protected Areas and the risks of oil exploration ... Read more...

APAMO’s featured member this week is the Steadfast Tourism and Conservation Association, STACA, and their protected area Billy Barquedier National Park. To learn more about the Steadfast Village and their activities and... Read more...

Ten Things you can DO!!!   1. Fill out the online opinion survey:  www.surveymonkey.com/s/MC2W... Read more...

The Coalition To Save Our Natural Heritage is asking for you to take action to ban oil exploration both offshore and in Belize's protected areas.  Please view the following documents and sign our petition or become a member of the coalition. http://apamo.net/index.php/take-action... Read more...

In October 2003, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, in collaboration with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Minister of Tourism, established a Task Force to oversee the formulation of a national protected areas policy and system plan for Belize.  You can now view this document in its entirety by clinking the link below; http://issuu.com/APAMO/docs/npapsp_2005... Read more...

Yesterday, June 28, 2010 was a Supreme Court victory for the 38 Maya communities and APAMO member Sarstoon-Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) located in the Toledo District of Belize.  The court case was regarding Maya indigenous land rights and their right to manage the land’s natural resources, including some of Belize’s P... Read more...

What are the Environmental Impacts of Offshore Oil drilling and exploration in Belize?  Belize’s Coral reefs and mangroves sustain the fishing industry and protect the shorelines.  Belize’s reefs and beaches are the basis of Belize’s sustainable tourism product just to name a few.  Is offshore drilling worth it?  Find the answers to these questions and many more by viewing this presentation by Melanie McField, PhD Director,  Healthy Reefs Initiative.  ... Read more...

Belize’s Legal system does not offer sufficient protections and Belize’s Petroleum Act is too week.  Belize  Does not have class action – where private individuals with common injuries band together and litigate against the defendant as a group without government’s (AG) input.  These and many more concerns are raised in this presentation by Audrey Matura-Shepherd, VP Oceana.   Click the link to see the full presentation  ... Read more...

What are the economic risks for Belize with regards to offshore drilling and exploration?  What is the value of Belize’s Marine and Costal Resources?  Find the answers to these questions and many more by viewing this presentation written by Mr. Edilberto Romero, Executive Director for Program for Belize.  Click the link to view the presentation http://issuu.com/apamo/docs/economics_impacts_to_offshore... Read more...

Go to the following website and type in Belize City, Belize and see how the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico would look if it was off Belize's shores.  http://www.ifitwasmyhome.com/ It is really scary to think that this could happen here if Oil exploration is allowed to continue.  How do you feel about off shore oil exploriation or exploration in protected areas?... Read more...

Please leave a comment and take our survey below! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MC2W9ND... Read more...

Position Statement Urgent action needed to protect our Barrier Reef Reserve System and our Protected Areas from oil exploration and drilling June 8, 2010 Considering that there has been complete parceling out of the entire country of Belize, except for the Maya Mountain, for oil exploration and drilling, it has become necessary for members of civil society to join forces and unite under one Coalition to be able to approach the Go... Read more...

At APAMO’s AGM Tuesday May 11... Read more...

In July of this year, The Ya’axche’ Conservation Trust alerted the public to the illegal campsites and bulldozing activity being conducted by the Hydro Maya facility on the Bladen Nature Reserve.   Considered the crown jewel of Belizean protected areas, Bladen Nature Reserve (BNR) co-managed by YCT,  is a 100,000 acre, pristine natural forest ... Read more...

Do you have any suggestions to help address the issues affecting protected areas in Belize?... Read more...