Biodiversity Monitoring

This is a summary of the monitoring and protection program which aims to prevent any illegal activities and to preserve the biodiversity, environmental and cultural characteristics of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA) owned and managed by Programme for Belize (PfB).

Programme for Belize is a private, non-profit, Belizean conservation organization established in 1988 dedicated to conserve the biodiversity and promote the sustainable development of Belize’s natural resources through the proper management of the RBCMA and other lands entrusted to it. The RBCMA is the flagship project where PfB puts into practice its management principles based on the Man and Biosphere Reserve Principle. Approximately 60% of the reserve is managed as a strict preserve. Sustainable economic activities, such as tourism and sustainable timber harvesting, are being implemented in the remaining buffer area with the goal of demonstrating sustainable development and producing a sustainable stream of revenue that contributes to the management and protection of the entire reserve.

Resource Management and Protection
In 2017 the PfB rangers conducted 439 patrols and related assignments which included Protection and Outreach activities and other administrative duties. Most of their efforts were invested in conducting patrols aimed at deterring illegal activities. A total of 180 patrols were dedicated specifically for preventing illegal logging and 45 patrols were specific for Yellow-headed Parrot (YhP) monitoring and protection. In practice, all patrols are designed to monitor for any unauthorized activity including illegal fishing and poaching. Given the increase of nocturnal illegal logging, a total of 112 patrols were night patrols to monitor and prevent illegal logging and illegal hunting. The patrols were conducted using two Hilux Pickup trucks, two All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), two boat, aerial as well as foot patrols. The availability of two ATVs during the YhP breeding season (April to June) enabled a more efficient monitoring of parrot nests thus contributing to the successful fledging of the parrot chicks.