PACT invests an additional $2.7 million into National Protected Areas

By BBN Staff: The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) earlier this week, held an award ceremony in Belmopan where 6 local environmental non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) were awarded a total of $2.7 million dollars.

The funds are designated to be invested in 8 protected areas within the next three years. 

The $2.7 million investment is in addition to a $6.7 million dollars awarded in December 2018 to support improved management of 13 protected areas across the Belize National Protected Areas System.   

“ In total, this $9.4 Million committed into the National Protected Area System during PACT’s 2018/2019 fiscal year will have concrete impacts on biodiversity protection, enhancement of the financial sustainability of the system through improvements in the tourism value and revenue generation potential of these protected areas and most importantly in supporting local communities and economies through the ecosystem services that protected areas provide,” a statement from PACT notes.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Omar Figueroa noted that the collective investment accounts for the largest singular commitment to the protected areas system made thus far by PACT or any donor organization operating in Belize.

 The six new investments awarded by PACT, are the following:

 Targeted Investment Portfolio:    1.  Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD), for a total investment of $800,000.00 for the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary through the investment program entitled “Increase the Management Effectiveness of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.”  This investment will see improvements in enforcement, more efficient monitoring of the conservation targets within the Management Plan, and the establishment of a business arm for SACD thus supporting diversification of revenue sources.

2. Mayflower Bocawina Environment and Development Group (MBEDG), for a total investment of $436,553.61 for the Mayflower Bocawina National Park through the investment program entitled “Strategic Development of the Mayflower Bocawina National Park.”  This investment will see major improvements in protected area development, enforcement coverage, and increase in overall management effectiveness.
3. Steadfast Tourism and Conservation Association (STACA), for a total investment of $391,303.00 for the Billy Barquedier National Park through the investment program entitled “Investment in the BBNP to enhance management through improved biodiversity protection, achieve financial sustainability and increased socio-economic benefits”. 

 Secondary Investments Portfolio:

1. Ya’axché Conservation Trust (Ya’axché), for a total investment of $99,966.00 for the Golden Stream Corridor Preserve through the investment program entitled “Enhancement of Biodiversity Monitoring and Financial Sustainability for the management of the Golden Stream Corridor Preserve”. This 1-year investment will support biodiversity conservation, revenue generation and community awareness.
2. Sarstoon-Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM), for a total of $179,025.00 for the Sarstoon Temash National Park through the investment program entitled “Supporting Sarstoon-Temash National Park Management”.  This 1-year investment will support improvements in the management of the National Park including boundary demarcation, enforcement and several other critical protection services.
3. Association of Protected Areas Management Organization (APAMO), for a total investment of $886,021.82 for a 3-year partnership in the implementation of a program entitled “Framework to support effective governance of natural resources”.  This partnership will see critical support provided for the APAMO membership and institutional strengthening of the APAMO Secretariat serving as a key delivery partner for PACT’s Conservation Investment Strategy.

PACT’s Executive Director, Nayari Diaz-Perez welcomed the six new investment partners and thanked all stakeholders.

 More than just a funding mechanism, PACT prioritizes a long-term approach to respond to the needs of the National Protected Areas System and supports participatory approaches to conservation and sustainable development.

  In its 22 years of operation, PACT has invested BZ$34 Million via 482 projects and other programs within the 103 protected areas in the system. 

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