Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Belize’s Maya Golden Landscape

Objectives

To mainstream biodiversity in the Maya Golden Landscape’s key biodiversity areas (KBAs).

Other

Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency.

Target Groups

1. The proposed project will contribute several environmental (including Global Environmental Benefits), social, and economic benefits from biodiversity-friendly sustainable agricultural practices and integrated land management in the MGL’s forest reserves and Community Zones, as well as environmental benefits throughout the MGL. This Project will benefit the Mayan communities within the MGL and with the Government of Belize, the Project’s primary beneficiaries. 60,106 ha of landscape will be under improved management in 3 priority PAs, of which 13,568 ha are KBA). A further 34,893 ha of community zone will be under improved land management, with diagnostic information supporting integrated land management and/or sustainable production practices with BD supported. Benefits will also include improved biodiversity conservation through habitat management, with enhanced biodiversity data collection and monitoring to inform management, particularly of threatened species, including species monitoring programmes for IUCN Red-listed threatened species such as en Geoffrey’s spider monkey Ateles geoffroyi and VU White-lipped Peccary Tayassu pecari. 2. Project direct beneficiaries include a total of 1176 residents living in the 10 communities in the Community Zones, all Mayan Indigenous People, of which 50% are women. In addition, 12 GoB personnel from the MSDCCDRM, MAFDE and MHDFIPA are beneficiaries of technical equipment and strengthened capacities, and 2 members of YCT, the co-managers of the Project’s priority intervention sites within the MGL that support biodiversity conservation and sustainable production within the MGL. Total direct beneficiaries incorporates 196 producers, sustainable agricultural value-added producers and agricultural co-op/ association participants from these communities.