FCD Newsletter Issue #40
A joint historic visit with security units was conducted on the Vaca Forest Reserve during the month of August. This was a unique experience given that it never had been realized before. This activity had been desirable, due to the fact that the reserve is the gateway of various illicit activities, from both internal and […]
FCD Newsletter Issue #39
The long awaited Chiquibul Symposium II finally took place on March 21st under the title, “Restoring Our National Patrimony”. The Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable John Briceno gave the keynote address while the Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Risk Management, Honorable Orlando Habet gave the opening remarks. On his address, the Prime Minister […]
FCD Newsletter Issue #38
Like most events in 2020, FCD’s Annual General Meeting was held virtual. It was a unique experience, but one that was successfully attended by over 80 FCD members and friends. The 21st AGM was conducted by Mr. Aurelio Sho and virtually hosted by Millennium Studios. Mrs. Susana Vanzie gave the welcome address followed by FCD’s […]
FCD Annual Report 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT For the first time FCD’s Annual General Meeting is being held virtual. It is unfortunate but we feel it is imperative to bring you the most updated news about FCD and its conservation efforts in the Chiquibul-Western Maya Mountain Landscape. Great strides have been taken in the eradication of the […]
FCD Newsletter Issue #37
Wildlife camera trapping was began in Chiquibul after more than 7 years of an absence of this type of research. But with the activation of a Forest Department project, subsidized under the Key Biodiversity Area, cameras were reincorporated once more. Later this year through a partnership with Panthera, the work has been sustained in the […]
An Assessment of Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Communities in Streams of the Chiquibul ForestStudy No. 3
ABSTRACT Freshwater macroinvertebrates are used as biological indicators of water quality. The changes are reflected in community composition and abundance. In this study 38 sampling sites were distributed across the Chiquibul Forest. Overall mean abundance and richness was significantly greater during 2017 compared to both 2014 and 2020 surveys. There was significant difference on mean […]
FCD Newsletter Issue #36
Over 10,000 seedlings have successfully been raised and cared for by the Arenal Women’s Conservation Group and are now ready for planting. This has kept the Environmental Educator and Extension Technician active in distributing the plants along the villages that are found along the banks of the Mopan and Macal Rivers. The communities that have […]
FCD Newsletter Issue #35
Fires in The Chiquibul Forest The fires in the Chiquibul Forest were also dramatic and a cause of high concern for FCD as co-managers of the park. The high temperatures and accumulation of fuel from fallen trees from the last hurricane created the right environment for the explosion of wild fires across the tropical forest. […]
A Remote Sensing Damage Analysis of the Chiquibul Forest Impacted by the 2020 Forest Fires
Abstract The 2020 dry season forest fires caused extreme damage to the Caracol Archaeological Reserve and the Chiquibul National Park ecosystem, both of which form part of the Maya Forest, known as the largest remaining contiguous block of neo-tropical forest north of the Amazon. These forest fires burnt vast regions of standing tropical forests as […]
FCD Newsletter Issue #34
30 Years of Service Celebrated In 1989, there were less inhabitants in Belize, more forests, cleaner rivers and much to discover. It was under this condition that the Youth Environmental Action Group (YEAG) was formed in San Jose Succotz. Youth from San Jose Succotz, Benque Viejo, San Ignacio and as far as Belmopan were the […]