bas38 2 oil final lores

Volume 38: Number 2 July 2006

Inside:Protected Areas

and Oil

Oil Boom in Belize

Laws of Belize

Protected Areas System Plan

BAS Position on Oil

SATIIM Statement

Earth Day 2006

Climate Change

Lighthawk Flights

New Staff

BAS AGM at GNP

Commercial Quantities of Oil Found at

Spanish Lookout

GOB Plans Oil Exploration in Sarstoon Temash National Park

NEWSLETTERVol. 38 No. 2July, 2006


NEWSLETTERNNNNEWSLETTEREWSLETTEREWSLETTEREWSLETTERVol. 38 No. 2

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Belize Audubon Society Newsletteris published quarterly by:

Belize Audubon SocietyEditor, Judy Lumb Honourary Editor, Lydia Waight

12 Fort Street, P.O. Box 1001, Belize CityBELIZE, Central America

Tel: 501-223-5004/4988/4987Fax: 501-223-4985website: www.belizeaudubon.orgemail: [email protected]

Vision The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) will be a strategic leader in building a nation in which people in Belize live in harmony with and benefit from the environment.

MissionThe Belize Audubon Society is a non-governmental membership organization dedicated to the sustainable management of our natural resources through leadership and strategic partnerships with stakeholders in order to create a balance between people and the environment.

Belize Audubon SocietyBelize Audubon Society

What do you think?

We invite our readers to sub-mit articles, photographs, or artwork for publication in the Belize Audubon Society News-letter. Letters and emails are also appreciated. We want to hear from you, our readers! What subjects would you like covered in future issues? What environmental issue is on your mind?



NEWSLETTERVol. 38 No. 2NNNNVol. 38 No. 2Vol. 38 No. 2Vol. 38 No. 2Vol. 38 No. 2

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Oil Boom Begins in Belize ...................................................................... 5What Can We Learn from Others’ Experiences ............................................. 7What Do the Laws of Belize Say? .............................................................. 8What Does the System Plan Say? .............................................................. 9BAS Position on Oil Exploration in Protected Areas ....................................... 10SATIIM Statement on Oil Exploration in STNP .............................................. 11A New Ecosystem for Belize .................................................................. 15

Earth Day 2006Solutions for Climate Change ................................................................ 16 BAS and PACT Celebrate Earth Day ......................................................... 18

BAS NewsBirds-Eye Perspective Aids in Protected Areas Management ............................ 20New Staff at BAS ............................................................................... 21

37th BAS AGM37th BAS AGM in Guanacaste National Park ............................................... 22Guanacaste Tree Cut .......................................................................... 25 The Light Side of Audubon’s First Outdoor AGM .......................................... 26

Belize Audubon SocietyBAS Vision, Mission and Contact Information ............................................... 2BAS History and BAS-Managed Protected Areas ............................................. 4BAS Thanks Donors ............................................................................. 27

Designed by Producciones de la Hamaca, Caye Caulker, BelizePrinted by BRC, Benque Viejo, Belize

NewsletterVolume 38, Number 2July 2006

Protected Areas and Oil

Board of DirectorsPresident

Earl Green

Honourary Secretary Lydia Waight

First Vice President Mike Heusner

Second Vice President Carlton Young

First Secretary Nicole Auil

Second SecretaryAnna Rossington

Treasurer Mark Hulse

Immediate Past PresidentDavid Craig

DirectorsCarlos FullerJude LizamaCarlos MatusArlenie PerezCarlos SantosLinda Searle

Lascelle Tillett

Board of TrusteesDavid CraigMark Hulse

Barry Bowen Dr. Mary Pearl

Michael Jenkins Anthony Flynn


Member, IUCNWorld Conservation Union

Accredited status with the UN Convention to Combat

Desertification

FRONT COVER Upper left: Petroleum operation at Spanish Lookout —courtesy Channel 7

News <7NewsBelize.com>Other Photos are from the Sarstoon Temash National Park (STNP) by Jan

Meerman <biological-diversity.info>Upper right: Blossom of shrub (Schizocardia belizensis) found in STNPCenter left: Sphagnum moss in unusual ecosystem in STNPLower: Comfra palm (Maniceria saccifera) in STNP

INSERTS: Membership Forms: Please update your membership information and pass the new member form to someone who might join BAS!




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StaffExecutive Director

Anna Dominguez Hoare

Finance/Offi ce Manager Neysi Pickwoad

Executive Secretary Carol Williams

Advocacy Programme ManagerTanya Williams-Thompson

Education Programme Manager

Olivia Carballo-Avilez

Protected Areas Manager (Co-Management)

Allen Genus

Protected Areas Manager (Cayo Parks)

Dominique Lizama

Protected Areas Manager (Marine)

Roberto Pott

Research Programme Manager

Ivis Chan

Community Liaison Offi cer Orlando Jimenez

Public Participation and Publicity Coordinator

Dirk Francisco

Offi ce AssistantMauricio Uk

HousekeepingDonna Bull

BAS-Managed Protected Areas

Actun Tunichil Muknal Natural Monument (ATMNM) 455 acres—established 2004 Uriah Rhaburn, Park DirectorBlue Hole Natural Monument (BHNM) 1,043 acres—established 1996 Kenneth Gale, Park Director Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) 128,000 acres—established 1985 Nicascio Coc, Park DirectorCrooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary (CTWS) 41,297 acres—established 1984, Declared Ramsar Site 1996 Donald Tillett, Park DirectorGuanacaste National Park (GNP) 50 acres—established 1973 Stephen Swasey, Park Director

Half Moon Caye Natural Monument (HMCNM) 9,771 acres—established 1928 as a Crown Reserve Kenneth Gale, Park Director

St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park (SHBHNP) 575 acres—established 1986

Rennie Jones, Park Director

Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve (TMNR) 6,741 acres—established 1975 as Society Hall Nature Reserve Larry Santos, Park DirectorVictoria Peak Natural Monument (VPNM) 4,487 acres—established 1998 Nicascio Coc, Park Director

BAS History

Since its formation in 1969 BAS has been Belize’s foremost environmental organization protecting Belize’s precious natural resources while

educating the public about their value and sustainable use. BAS has grown from an all-volunteer organization with 55 charter members to a Society of over 1,700 members with a staff of more than 40 dedicated professionals.

Throughout its history, BAS has been involved in the development of the legal framework and policy for environmental protection in Belize. From the initial Wildlife Protection and National Parks System Acts in 1981 to the recent National Parks System Plan, BAS has been instrumental in the financing, development and management of protected areas. At the request of the Government of Belize, BAS currently manages nine of Belize’s protected areas with a well-trained, knowledgeable staff, most of whom are from the surrounding buffer communities. Environmental education and advocacy activities revolve around these protected areas and their buffer communities.




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Seismic SurveysSeismic surveys (below) are done to identify the

rock formations deep underground that are likely to contain oil. A hole is dug and dynamite inserted. The exploding dynamite sends sound waves down deep into the earth. The refl ections of the sound waves off the various rock layers are received by “geophones” and the data analyzed and interpreted to determine if there is a likelihood that oil will found among these rock layers.1

A large number of seismic surveys have been done in Belize. Most have been offshore, especially in the area between the mainland, Turneff Islands and Glover’s Reef. Some seismic surveys have been done on land in the northern half of Belize and on the southern coastal plain. The Maya Mountains have been excluded from all oil exploration testing and licences for future exploration.2

Exploratory WellsSeismic surveys only identify the geologic struc-

tures likely to contain oil. In or-der to know if oil is present, ex-ploratory wells must be drilled. The pad that is constructed to accommodate the rig and sup-porting structures can be from 4,000 to 15,000 m2.

Fifty oil exploration wells were drilled in Belize from 1956 through 1997 by 15 companies. Forty of these wells were drilled in the north of the country and while only ten were in

Protected Areas and OilProtected Areas and Oil

Oil Boom Begins in Belize

With this announcement, the oil boom in Belize began in March of 2006. Soon there were

reports of planned oil exploration in the Sarstoon Temash National Park (SNTP). On the radio and on television Hon. Johnny Briceño, Minister of Natural Resources, assured the public that the planned seismic testing would be of low impact with minimal damage to the ecosystems of the STNP.

Taking their responsibility as Managers of the STNP seriously, the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) fi led a suit against the Government of Belize to stop the seismic testing in the STNP. On June 9th the court agreed to hear the case, saying that SATIIM had a case. As we go to press that case is underway.

BAS investigated the process of seismic testing, the status of oil exploration in Belize, the relevant Laws of Belize, and the experiences of other countries with oil exploration in protected areas. The following is our report.

I take this opportunity to inform the Belizean people and this House that on March 6th of 2006 Belize Natural Energy, Ltd. (BNEL) wrote my Ministry and declared, “BNEL indicates that the oil discovery in Spanish Lookout is of commercial quantity.” —Hon. Johnny Briceño, Minister of Natural Resources

1 Source: United Nations Environment Programme, Industry and Environment Offi ce (UNEP IE) 1997 Environmental Management in Oil and Gas Exploration and Produc-tion. An Overview of Issues and Management Approaches. p. 4-7

(cont’d next page)




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Oil Boom Begins in Belize (cont’d)the south and half of those were offshore. These are shown by the black dots on the map below. For the fi rst two decades, major oil companies (Gulf, Phillips, Shell, Chevron and Esso) drilled exploratory wells in Belize. In the 1970s a lesser known company, Anschutz drilled eleven exploratory wells. From 1981 through 1997 wells were drilled by Anschutz and nine lesser known companies (Placid, Petro-Bze., Mara-thon, Eagle, Spartan, Central Resources, Lucky Goldstar, Dover, and Bright Hawk).

No more oil exploration wells were drilled after 1997 until June of 2005 when Belize Natural Energy, Ltd. (BNEL) began drilling explor-atory wells in the Spanish Lookout area. In 2004 BNEL had repeated the Chevron seismic surveys of the 1970s, using 134 kilometers of seismic lines. It took a full year to analyze the results of the seismic surveys before they were ready to begin drilling exploration wells in June of 2005. Eight months later the big announcement was made that commercial quantities of oil had been found.

The entire country of Belize is divided up into blocks according to UTM coordinates that are, exclusive of the Maya Mountains, licenced to oil companies. The six independent oil companies now holding licences for oil exploration in Belize are seen on the map to the left.

US Capital Energy Belize, Ltd., which has had the licence covering the STNP since 2001, is a privately held Texas corporation with offi ces in Corpus Cristi, Texas, and Little-ton, Colorado.

Island Oil is preparing to drill two offshore wells. The other four companies are either studying past seismic surveys or preparing to do additional seismic surveys.

2 Information for this article comes from the presentation by Andre Cho. “Over-view of the Petroleum Sector of Belize” at the Oil Forum, George Price Center, May 11, 2006. <www.gpcbelize.com>

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Spanish Lookout Concerns

A Mennonite farmer watches a black plume of smoke spew from an oil well near his house in

western Belize, the only visible sign that this tiny Central American nation is the world’s newest oil producer. ...

“Everybody is worried about the smell and the pollution,” said Peter Dueck, a Mennonite man whose house overlooks one of the drill sites.

“We have rainwater collection systems for our drinking water. What if that smoke is poisonous?” he asked, watching natural gas burn off the well near a cow pasture.

But most of the community’s concerns are over-whelmed by the promise of royalties they will receive as land owners.

The Mennonites, who settled in Belize two generations ago and cut down the jungle to build a vast network of profi table farms and dairies, are promised 5 percent of the government’s 7.5 percent take of oil profi ts. —Reuters 2006

Argentine Supreme Court Rules in Favour of Protected Area

On March 14, 2005, the Argentine Supreme Court ordered the suspension of a project to drill for

oil in Llancanelo Lagoon, an internationally recog-nized wetland in Mendoza province. The complaint was lodged by the Mendoza environmental group Oikos Red Ambiental (Oikos).

Oikos argued that the US$200 million oil project by the Spanish-owned company Repsol-YPF would contravene the Argentine Constitution’s Article 41, which grants citizens the right to a healthy environ-ment, as well as a Mendoza law (6045) prohibiting oil and mining activity in the province’s protected areas. The company argued that its contract should be honored because it predates the Mendoza law making Llancanelo a protected area. The Supreme Court, however, held that environmental-protec-tion measures should take precedence over private rights.

—EcoAméricas (Fourth Street Press), April 2005

Seismic Testing in Ecuador Protected Areas

Seismic testing for oil exploration has affected Ecuador’s Sumaco National Park. Amoco had

signed an agreement for the exploration phase with the Quichua community Verde Sumaco, in which they promised to maintain the width of the seismic testing lines to within 1.5 meters, protect water sources, refi ll holes and reforest. Cayman, the company that took over from Amoco, did not abide by any of these conditions. The explosions of dynamite took place less than fi ve meters from the water sources of the communities; they left holes of up to 20 meters diameter in the ground; and nothing has been refi lled or reforested.

During the seismic testing of the explora-tion phase in Llanganates National Park, the oil company Tripetrol caused serious social confl icts which resulted in the division of organisations and communities. They used drastic measures to threaten individuals and communities who resisted the company. Twelve members of af-fected communities are under order of arrest for terrorism, something that carries a sentence of years in prison. Their “crime” was to oppose the oil company.

The affected communities belong to the As-sociation San Jacinto (24 communities), Associa-tion Santa Clara (16 communities), Association Jatun Pacha (4 communities) and the Association Canelos (10 communities). They all belong to the Organisation of Peoples of Pastaza (OPIP).

—<accionecologica.org> (Alerta Verde 55)

What Can We Learn from Others’ Experiences?





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What Do the Laws of Belize Say?

National Parks System Act (1981)(Chapter 215, Laws of Belize, 2000-2003) <http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/index2.html>

4. Essential FeaturesSave as hereinafter provided-

(a) no person shall be entitled to enter any national park except for the purpose of ob-serving the fauna and fl ora therein and for the purpose of education, recreation and scientifi c research;

(b) no person shall be entitled to enter any nature reserve or in any way disturb the fauna and fl ora therein;

(c) no animal shall be hunted, killed or taken and no plant shall be damaged, collected or de-stroyed in a national park or nature reserve;

(d) no person shall hunt, shoot, kill or take any wild animal, or take or destroy any egg of any bird or reptile or any nest of any bird, in any wildlife sanctuary;

(e) no person shall disturb the natural features of a natural monument, but may use the unit for interpretation, education, appreciation and research.

6. Prohibited ActsNo person shall, within any national park, nature reserve, wildlife sanctuary or natural monument, except as provided under section 7, or with the written authorisation of the Administrator-

(a) permanently or temporarily reside in or build any structure of whatever nature whether as a shelter or otherwise;

(b) damage, destroy or remove from its place therein any species of fl ora;

(c) hunt any species of wildlife;

(d) remove any antiquity, cave formation, coral or other object of cultural or natural value;

(e) quarry, dig or construct roads or trails;

(f) deface or destroy any natural or cultural features or any signs and facilities provided for public use and enjoyment;

(g) introduce organic or chemical pollutants into any water;

(h) clear land for cultivation;

(i) graze domestic livestock;

(j) carry firearms, spears, traps or other means for hunting or fi shing;

(k) introduce exotic species of flora or fauna;

(l) catch fi sh by any means whatsoever;

(m) do any other act which may be prohibited by any Order made by the Minister from time to time.

7. Exemptions

(1) The Minister may at his discretion is-sue permits to bona fi de organisations and scientists and other qualifi ed professionals or specialists for cave exploration, collection of specimens of particular species of fl ora or fauna, group education activities, archaeo-logical or palaeontological exploration, scien-tifi c research and related activities. All such permits shall require that copies of all data and fi ndings from any of these activities, or any papers based on them, shall be provided to the Minister.

(2) The Minister may at his discretion, and subject to such conditions as he may think desirable to attach thereto, issue permits for fi shing in any national park, wildlife sanctu-ary or natural monument where such activ-ity will not destroy or seriously detract from those values that were the principal reason for establishment of the unit.

The Laws of Belize do not specifi cally address the question of whether oil exploration and extraction can be carried out in a national park or other protected area, but here are some excerpts from the National Parks System Act and the National Protected Areas System Plan that may be relevant to the issue.





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Policy Statements:Protected Areas Management9. Management of protected areas shall respect, preserve and maintain the tra-ditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities provided that these do not confl ict with the ecological integrity of the protected area and the various conven-tions and multi-lateral environmental agreements signed by the Government of Belize.

11. The management of Belize’s protected areas shall be geared to maximize socio-economic benefi ts and protected area cost recovery and revenue generation schemes without undermining their cultural and ecological integrity.

Socio-economic considerations17. Participatory mechanisms which are vital to optimising socio-economic ben-efi ts, such as collaborative management agreements and landscape-level manage-ment plans, shall be encouraged to main-tain the cultural and ecological integrity of the protected areas.

18. Equal opportunity for access to the benefi ts derived from protected areas shall be encouraged for all stakeholders, partic-ularly local communities and indigenous peoples living near protected areas.

19. Environmental, economic and social sustainability of protected areas shall be considered paramount to the national development of Belize.

20. The protected areas of Belize shall support the sustainable economic de-velopment of the local communities that buffer these areas.

21. Funding of protected areas shall be encouraged through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

What Does the System Plan Say?

Policy Declaration:The policy declaration for the protected areas is summed up as follows:

Recognising that:Protected areas in Belize provide irre-placeable public benefi ts from ecosystem services such as clean water, clean air, carbon sinks, gene pools, baseline data for research and development, all of which contribute to the local, national and re-gional economies,

And that:

Protected areas are an important resource base for the development and strengthen-ing of economic activities and contribute to poverty elimination by supporting in-dustries such as agriculture, tourism, fi sh-eries, timber and non-timber products, research, bio-prospecting, mining, water and energy services among others:

The Government of Belize shall promote the sustainable use of Belize’s protected areas by educating and encouraging resource users and the general public to properly conserve the biological diver-sity contained in these areas in order to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all. This shall be achieved by facilitat-ing the participation of local communi-ties and other stakeholders in decision making and the equitable distribution of benefi ts derived from them, through ad-equate institutional and human capacity building and collaborative research and development.

General Principles:The Government of Belize shall:

4. Enhance the quality of renewable re-sources and strive for the optimum use of non-renewable resources.

Management of pro-tected areas shall re-spect, preserve and maintain the tradition-al knowledge, innova-tions and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities provided that these do not conflict with the ecological integ-rity of the protected area and the various conventions and multi-lateral environmental agreements signed by the Government of Belize.

National Protected Areas System Plan (2005)





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BAS Position on Oil Exploration, Extraction and Production in

Protected AreasAs the oldest environmental conservation organi-

zation in Belize established in 1969, the mission of the Belize Audubon Society (BAS) is “sustainable management of our natural resources through lead-ership and strategic partnerships in order to create a balance between people and the environment.”

BAS manages nine of Belize’s protected areas through a co-management agreement with the Gov-ernment of Belize (GOB). Within the suite of protected areas that BAS manages are included globally sig-nifi cant sites such as a RAMSAR site, world heritage sites, the fi rst jaguar reserve in the world and other key conservation sites. BAS is committed to contributing and maintaining the integrity of the national protected areas system which is vital for the sustainable develop-ment of the country.

BAS recognizes that the budding oil industry in Belize cannot contribute to the sustainable economic development of the nation without proper adherence to environmental and socio-economic policies and plans. BAS also recognizes that these national poli-cies and plans will be fl awed without full, transparent stakeholder consultation, participation and consensus. Learning from the mistakes of countries worldwide regarding the oil issues, priority should be given to policy development for oil exploration and production to ensure best environmental practices and equitable distribution of the benefi ts derived from oil produc-tion. This will guarantee that Belizean citizens con-tinue to maintain the basic, universal right of access to environmental services such clean water, air and healthy environment.

The National Parks System Act of 1981 states that… “no person shall be entitled to enter any national park except for the purpose of observing the fauna and fl ora therein and for the purpose of education, recreation and scientifi c research” (Laws of Be-lize, 2000, CAP 215, 4 Essential Feature). Scientifi c research is not synonymous to oil exploration. Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Act requires that an environmental impact assessment to be undertaken for this type of activity regardless of where it is proposed.

BAS is also cognizant that the extraction of oil could have devastating impacts upon the ecosys-tems and biodiversity of any protected area. Oil exploration signifi cantly changes the ecological character of the environment and may cause det-rimental and irreversible damage to the natural environment. Belize has joined the nations around the world that declare national lands as protected areas to ensure the ecological integrity and per-petuation of natural resources and biodiversity, while contributing to sustainable development.

Tourism—the second most signifi cant con-tributor to Belize’s social and economic develop-ment—is dependent on the integrity of its protect-ed areas. The National Protected Areas Policy and System Plan recently endorsed by Government, aims to safeguard the natural resources found within protected areas. However, the integrity of these natural resources can be degraded by carelessly implemented development projects or projects that do not address sound environmental management.

BAS also believes that oil exploration within the marine areas should have extremely stringent conditions applied due to the high vulnerability of the marine ecosystems. Oil exploration should be excluded from the protected marine areas as the Belize Barrier Reef and the three atolls are invalu-able to the tourism and fi sheries sectors, and for protection of coastal communities. Oil exploration could place the Belizean reefs and coastal areas at unacceptable risks.

As a protected areas manager, BAS does not support any activity that would compromise the ability of our natural systems to maintain a healthy environment that is critical to sustaining the Be-lizean population and economy. Belize Audubon Society, as embodied in our mission statement, has a responsibility to work with all stakeholders, at all levels and in all sectors, to try to achieve that balance between the needs of the people and the environment.





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Statement of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management to the General Public on the Issue of Oil Exploration in the Sarstoon Temash National Park


The Current Situation

Exploratory drilling was done in the area of the national park starting

in 1977, when the Esso Corporation opened wells near Crique Sarco which were capped shortly thereafter. In 1998 the Geology and Petroleum Department issued an oil exploration license to a U.S. corporation, A&B Energy Limited, for lands including the Sarstoon Temash National Nark (STNP), despite the fact of the designation of the area as a national park four years earlier.

On November 14th, 2005, SATIIM received a copy of an October 24th 2005 memorandum from the Geology and Petroleum Department directed to the Chief Forest Offi cer, Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources, Local Government and the Environment in-forming them that US Capital Energy was ready to commence seismic testing in part of its contract area, which includes the Sarstoon Temash National Park and requesting the Department’s assistance in securing the necessary permit. The com-pany, US Capital Energy Belize, Ltd., has a Production Sharing Agreement for oil exploration dated January 24th, 2004.

The Sarstoon Temash National Park (STNP) comprises 41,000 acres of rela-tively undisturbed wetland in southern Belize encompassing fourteen different ecosystem types1 and approximately ten miles of coast along Amatique Bay, part of the tri-national Gulf of Honduras. The documented fauna of the STNP include two hundred and twenty-six species of birds, twenty-four mammal species in-cluding jaguar, jaguarundi, ocelot and manatee, twenty-two reptile species

including an endangered crocodile, forty-two fi sh species (most of them marine) and forty-six species of Lepidoptera. The park contains the only comfra palm forest (Manicaria saccifera) in Belize, the only known lowland sphagnum moss bog in Central America, and is said to contain the best examples of undisturbed red mangrove forest regionally. Conservation of the STNP is important not only for the ecosystems and species present in the park, but as an important wildlife corri-dor from other Belizean protected areas through to Guatemala, as an important part of the watershed protecting the Be-lize Barrier Reef system, and for its eco-nomic, cultural and spiritual importance to the indigenous Maya and Garifuna communities living around it.

There are several threatened animal species in the STNP including Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra), Hic-catee (Dermatemys mawii), Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii), the Neotropical River Otter (Lutra longicaudis), and Great Currassow (Crax rubra); a vulner-able species, the West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus); a conservation dependant species, Morelet’s Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii); and the near threatened Jaguar (Panthera onca). The STNP was declared a RAMSAR wetlands of international signifi cance in 2005, cre-ating the second RAMSAR site in Belize.

The management of the STNP has been carried out since 2002 by the Sar-stoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM), a unique organi-zation representing the one Garifuna and four Q’eqchi’ Maya communities situated


The Sarstoon Temash National Park contains the only comfra palm forest (Manicaria sac-cifera) in Belize, the only known lowland sphagnum moss bog in Central America, and is said to contain the best examples of undis-turbed red mangrove forest regionally.

1 The primary ones are: Tropical evergreen broadleaf lowland swamp forest, permanently water-logged; Tropical evergreen broadleaf lowland swamp forest, seasonally waterlogged; Tropical evergreen broadleaf lowland swamp forest Manicaria variant; Tropical evergreen lowland peat shrub-land with sphagnum.

The primary ones are: Tropical evergreen broadleaf lowland swamp forest, permanently water-




12

in the buffer zone around the park. Since 1997 SATIIM’s work around the STNP has represented a new model for the direct participation of indigenous peoples in pro-tected areas management. Conservation of the STNP is being developed in ways con-sistent with indigenous cultural practices and with an eye towards the sustainable well being of the indigenous communities who live around it. As such, the SATIIM experience is on the cutting edge of com-munity-based natural resource manage-ment in Central America.

In September of 2004 SATIIM com-pleted the fi rst management plan2 for the STNP, based both on extensive scientifi c data3 and traditional ecological knowl-edge4 of the indigenous communities. All data were gathered by expert researchers working in conjunction with indigenous

people through an innovative project in community-based park management sponsored by the Global Environment Fa-cility through the World Bank. The STNP management plan breaks new ground for Belize and the region in reconciling the needs of indigenous communities with the need to protect the environment. Several aspects of the plan will lead to signifi cant changes in the national policy framework regarding protected areas and natural resource management, most notably the creation of an indigenous harvesting zone within a national park, recognizing both the historical rights of indigenous communities before the cre-ation of the park, and their reliance on its resources for their survival. The plan also sets forth a comprehensive set of conser-


Conservation of the Sarstoon Temash Na-tional Park is impor-tant not only for the ecosystems and spe-cies present in the park, but as an im-portant wildlife cor-ridor from other Be-lizean protected areas through to Guatema-la, as an important part of the watershed protecting the Belize Barrier Reef system, and for its economic, cultural and spiritual importance to the in-digenous Maya and Garifuna communities living around it.

SATIIM Statement (cont’d)

2 The STNP management plan was approved by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Re-sources on June 22, 2005

3 New scientifi c research carried out by SATIIM in 2003 and 2004 include a Rapid Ecological As-sessment of the STNP, a Hydrology study, a Geology and Soils Survey and a Rapid Ecological Assessment of the marine areas adjacent to the park.

4 Three studies documented the traditional knowledge and use of the STNP: a Socio-Economic Study, a Maya Traditional Knowledge Study and a Garifuna Traditional Knowledge Study.

2 The STNP management plan was approved by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Re-


Ruben Palacio shows Carlson Tuttle where the people of Bar-ranco grew bananas up the Temash River in the 1930s. Alvin Loredo is driving the boat.

Judy Lu

mb




13

vation strategies that have been broadly consulted with the communities and ratifi ed by their representatives, which includes the development of alternative livelihoods and the promotion of sustain-able community development.

SATIIM PositionWhile we are cognizant of the impor-

tance of petroleum deposits to Belize’s economic development, we feel that ex-ploitation of those resources needs to pro-ceed in concordance with environmental best practices, in respect for national law and international treaty obligations, and in congruence with the needs and wishes of indigenous peoples. Based on the considerable effort and investment by SATIIM and the communities over the past three years in transforming the STNP from a paper park to a living and functioning one, as well as the recogni-tion and substantial investment by the international community, particularly the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility, United Nations Development Programme and the RAMSAR secretariat, of the globally signifi cant biodiversity in the area, SATIIM remains opposed to any seismic testing or oil explora-tion in the STNP.

We believe that oil exploration could signifi cantly change the ecological character of the fragile wetlands in the national park; we fear that both seismic testing and subsequent oil drilling could have lasting negative effects on the biodiversity in the STNP, and could undermine the work we have been engaged in since 1997. We are particularly concerned about impacts on the unique sphagnum moss eco-system in the centre of the park—where many of the proposed seismic testing lines will pass. This ecosystem is the only one of its kind in Central America and has yet to be fully described, so it is

still not well understood. Our manage-ment plan approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources zones this area very strictly as a “unique values zone” with special regulations that include limiting access to research and education, as well as prohibiting habitat disturbance and trails. The rapid ecological assessment which discovered the ecosystem in 2004 noted several as yet un-unidentifi ed plant species, an unnamed variety of stick insect and indicated that the area was potentially quite fragile.

We believe that oil exploration could signifi cantly undermine the ecotourism potential of the region, which we have been working very hard to develop as a long-term sustainable eco-nomic alternative for the communities, and indeed threatens the tourism industry in Belize in general, as any impacts on the Sarstoon, Temash, and Moho watersheds could have a devastating effect on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System which they empty into.

We also think that the oil company may be underestimating the diffi culty of the terrain—the swamp forest of the STNP is not easily traversed in many plac-es, as our recent survey crews will attest to, and costs of even seismic testing could be signifi cantly higher than the company is currently planning for.

We further believe that it is the in-tent and spirit of the National Parks Act and the Geology and Petroleum Act, to prohibit oil exploration in a national park, as we have detailed in a letter to Geology and Petroleum. The Government of Belize has also signed a le-gally binding co-management agreement with SATIIM, which states that the prior informed consent of SATIIM must be obtained before any permits are granted for activities in the STNP.



We are particularly concerned about im-pacts on the unique sphagnum moss eco-system in the centre of the park—where many of the proposed seismic testing lines will pass.... Our man-agement plan ap-proved by the Ministry of Natural Resources zones this area very strictly as a “unique values zone” with spe-cial regulations that include limiting access to research and edu-cation, as well as pro-hibiting habitat distur-bance and trails.





14


We recognize that the extreme pov-erty of the indigenous communities is going to be exploited by promises of employment from the oil companies, convincing them to accept these short-term economic benefits while risking the long term ecological integrity of the natural resources in the area upon which our strategies for sustainable community development are based.

Lastly we have reminded the Depart-ment that the indigenous communities who live around the STNP are dependant on the fi sh and the forest, the plants and animals and other natural resources of the STNP for their survival, and we see oil exploration as a clear threat to those resources.

We therefore humbly request the fol-lowing actions be taken before making a decision on whether to allow oil explora-tion in a national park:

The Government of Belize clari-fies its policy and its international treaty obligations with regard to

•

oil exploration in protected areas and in Ramsar sites.

The Government of Belize clarifies its position with regard to the legal implications of the co-manage-ment agreement with SATIIM for the STNP, which stipulates that SATIIM must give its informed consent for any and all activities in the park.

An environmental assessment of seismic testing in the STNP be conducted to identify potential impacts and recommend mitiga-tion measures.

A representative from the US Capital Energy and the other international energy companies accompany an international tech-nical expert to personally assess the area and review the data di-rectly to see if there is indeed a good likelihood of oil deposits in the STNP.

•

•

•


We further believe

that it is the intent

and spirit of the Na-

tional Parks Act and

the Geology and Pe-

troleum Act, to pro-

hibit oil exploration

in a national park.

Sarstoon Temash National Park

(Landsat image)

Jan M

eerman




15

Sarstoon Temash National ParkSarstoon Temash National Park

On the Landsat satellite image on the previous page, a distinctive feature is visible more or less

in the center of the Sarstoon Temash National Park (STNP), midway between the Sarstoon and Temash Rivers. … This image suggests a very open habitat, not a forest at all. Unfortunately this habitat is very diffi cult to reach as it is surrounded by dense swamp forest that is inundated through much of the year. Consequently, no scientists that we know of ever visited the area.

During the 2003 Rapid Ecological Assessment of STNP, the Barranco trainees made an attempt to reach this enigmatic area while it was still at the peak of the dry season (May). We approached the habitat from the north, cutting our way for 2 km (1.3 ml) through the swamp forest. This forest, although not inundated at this stage was still wet and very diffi cult to walk through. What we found was a very unusual ecosystem—not very scenic and very hard to traverse. The landscape consisted of low, dense, but open canopied scrubland with a dense understory of sedges (probably Hypolytrum longifolium), all of this growing on a bog of Sphagnum moss (probably Sphagnum subsecundum). Sphagnum moss is rare in Belize and restricted to higher elevations such as Victoria Peak and the Mountain Pine Ridge. Finding it in Belize at sea-level in these quantities was nothing less than astounding!

Because of the diffi culty penetrating the area, we managed to reach only the outer perimeter of the whole ecosystem. If the ecosystem is as uniform as the satellite image suggests, the whole ecosystem is no less than 2,700 acres (1,100 ha) large!

Sphagnum is intolerant of nutrients, limestone, salt and drought. Consequently it is found in situa-tions where it is rain-fed. For the Sarstoon Temash situation this means that the area does not receive overfl ow from any of the rivers (which contain salts, nutrients and lime).

Typically a peat bog develops when a wetland fi lls in with organic matter forming a thick layer of fenn peat. This fenn peat can have different origins such as; reeds, sedges and tree leaves. Once the wet-land has been fi lled in, a swamp forest forms. If this swamp forest does not receive any outside nutrients, but is wet year round, Sphagnum moss can develop. Under the right conditions this Sphagnum moss

can outgrow the trees and completely envelop them, forming a raised Sphagnum bog.

The bog in the STNP appears to be in between the two last stages (see drawing). From here it could technically be expected to grow into a real raised bog, but many factors such as drought or fi re could inter-rupt this process.

Jan Meerman <[email protected]>

A New Ecosystem for BelizeJan

Meerm

an




16

Climate change is now considered to be the largest environmental challenge facing mankind. Since

the middle of the 19th century emissions of green-house gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, have raised the mean temperature of the earth. These emissions have been produced primarily through the burning of fossil fuels for energy and the clearing of forests for agriculture. These practices have occurred primarily in developed countries. However, as all nations strive to eliminate poverty and meet the basic needs of their people, emissions of greenhouse gases will increase around the world.

CO2 and TemperatureBefore the industrial era, the concentration of

carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere was 280

parts per million (ppm). It is now 368 ppm, and it is projected to rise to between 540 to 970 ppm by the end of this century. The average surface temperature has risen by one degree Celsius since 1850 and it is projected to rise by 1.4 to six degrees Celsius by 2100. The largest increase in temperature has been recorded in the higher latitudes and even greater rises are projected there.

Climate Change EffectsHowever, higher temperatures will occur at all

latitudes and will affect not only the atmosphere, but also the land and the sea. This will produce a more vigorous hydrological cycle and, as a result, we should see more evaporation, more intense rainfall events and more droughts. Higher temperatures will cause the water in the world’s oceans to expand. It will also cause some of the ice stored in the polar icepacks and glaciers around the world to melt.

Solutions for Climate Change

The cumulative effect is a projected global sea level rise of one to three feet by the end of this century. The temperature rise, modifi ed hydrological cycle and sea level rise will affect agriculture, biodiversity, ecological productivity, fi shing, forests, human health, marine life, and water resources. These in turn will affect other dependent sectors such as energy generation, infrastructure and tourism. Climate change is ex-pected to affect the poor island and low lying States most severely and in particular the poorest segments of their populations.

What Can We Do?Climate change can be addressed in two ways,

through adaptation and mitigation. There is very little Belize can do to prevent or reduce the impact of cli-mate change globally except by participating maturely in multilateral negotiations.

However, there is a lot that we can do to adapt or prepare for climate change. This is where responsible stewardship of our environment can play a huge role. All activities that conserve or promote sustainable use of our land-based and marine ecosystems such as forests and reefs will bolster their resistance to the adverse impacts of climate change. However, activities that damage or weaken them such as the injection of effl uents and raw sewage close to the reef and into rivers and aquifers, the introduction of alien species into the environment, unregulated mangrove clear-ing all adversely affect nearby ecosystems and those downstream. They also lower their adaptive capacity, which they will need as the changed climate adds stress to their systems.

Earth Day 2006Earth Day 2006




17


Climate change can be addressed in two ways, through adap-tation and mitiga-tion. There is very little Belize can do to prevent or reduce the impact of climate change globally ex-cept by participating maturely in multilat-eral negotiations. ... However, there is a lot that we can do to adapt or prepare for climate change.

Limit Use of PlasticsWhile Belize’s emissions are minis-

cule in comparison to our more industri-alized neighbors, we can learn from their mistakes and wanton wastage. If we limit our use of plastics, we not only address a refuse problem, but also reduce our car-bon footprint by not using a product that has a high-energy processing content.

Reduce Dependence on OilIf we reduce our dependence on im-

ported fuel and promote the use of renew-able sources of energy, such as biomass, hydro, solar and wind, we can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, become energy self suffi cient, reduce the fl ight of foreign exchange, encourage the trans-fer of appropriate technology into the country and promote the development of indigenous industries. Less reliance on foreign petroleum products reduces the risk to our environment through spillage during transportation. It improves environmental quality by reducing emissions of gases when the turbines are being run. This also reduces noise pollution. Finally, it reduces the problem of treating and disposing of lubricants.

Mainstream Climate Change

Because climate change can and will affect all sectors and be-cause wise management practices can reduce the effects of climate change and reduce emissions of gases that cause climate change, we must strive to mainstream climate change into all activities and processes. As we develop poli-cies on energy and the petroleum industry, we should factor climate change into the equation. The en-vironmental impact assessment (EIA) process and emergency management activities should in-

corporate climate change. The fi nancial sector, including the insurance industry and investment agencies, must assess risks that include the adverse effects of climate change.

OpportunitiesHowever, climate change should not

be viewed as a barrier to hinder develop-ment. A carbon market is now evolving that can provide Belize with new foreign capital and resources to develop those sectors that we wish to develop in the way we wish them to be developed. Belize can participate in this new market through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Therefore, the horizon is not bleak for Belize’s environment if we harness the opportunities that the climate change processes provide.

Carlos FullerChief Meteorologist

and BAS Director

Solutions for Climate Change (cont’d)

A mahogany tree is planted in the CBWS near the dormitory. —photo by Dirk Francisco




18


Over 1,500 Belizean children were reminded to protect the air, water and land as part of the

Belize Audubon’s Earth Day celebrations. The theme for Earth Day this year was “Solutions for Climate Change”, and events kicked off on Thursday, April 27th with a roadside clean up on the Hummingbird Highway. All the children in the Armenia Government School had fun whilst picking up litter along the Hum-mingbird Highway. Over 150 sacks of litter were enthusiastically collect-ed, and a valuable lesson learned about not littering our beautiful country.

On Friday, May 5th, over 150 children gath-ered at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary for the traditional Earth Day ceremonies and activities. The staff of the Belize Audubon Society enter-tained the children, as they were familiarizing themselves of the impor-tance of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary’s biodiversity as a solution

BAS and PACT Celebrate Earth Day

for climate change. With CBWS Park Director Nicascio Coc’s assistance, a mahogany tree was planted in the Sanctuary in honor of Earth Day and this year’s theme (photo on p. 17).

The afternoon was then given over to fun and educational activities, such as tours of the park to learn about the fl ora and fauna, educational games and tours of the Visitor Center.

On Friday, May 5th, over

150 children gathered

at Cockscomb Basin

Wildlife Sanctuary for

the traditional Earth

Day ceremonies and

activities.

—Photos by Dirk Francisco




19

the impacts of climate change.

The Belize Audubon Society would like to thank the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) and all who assisted and participated in our Earth Day events.

Dirk FranciscoBAS Publicity Coordinator


Crooked Tree Wild-life Sanctuary celebrated Earth Day on May 5th, hosting 198 children from the local Government School. After the offi cial opening, tree planting ceremony and presenta-tions, the school children were given a brief tour of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

For Earth Day, St. Herman’s Blue Hole Na-tional Park organized pre-sentations on solutions to climate change and a tree planting ceremony for the local children of Armenia, and St. Mar-garet’s Schools. On May 9th, 98 students from both schools were taken to St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park, for an all-day tour of the Park.

Guanacaste National Park Staff celebrated Earth Day by visiting the schools surrounding the Protected Area, to deliver presentations on the importance of saving Belize’s natural resources, since it minimizes

BAS and PACT Celebrate Earth Day (cont’d)

St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park organized presentations on solu-tions to climate change and a tree planting ceremony for the lo-cal children of Arme-nia, and St. Margaret’s Schools. —Photos by Dirk Francisco




20

Birds-Eye Perspective Aids in Protected Areas Management

Lighthawk partnered with Belize Audubon Society (BAS) in April 2006 to fl y over the nine nationally

protected areas that are managed by BAS.

Our pilot Chuck Schroll greeted us with a bright smile, saying, “who’s going fi rst?” As the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) staff (Allen Genus, Nicacio Coc, and Brijilio Bolon) took fl ight, the Cayo Parks staff anxiously waited for their turn. There were no sightings of unusual ecological changes, development and settlement within the CBWS. However, there were observations of large land clearings and devel-opment within the adjacent Bladen Nature Reserve by residents of Trio Village. In addition, due to tour-ism infl uences, there has been an increase in coastal development in the villages of Hopkins, Sittee River and Seine Bight.

Cayo Parks staff (Dominique Lizama, Larry San-tos, and Rennie Jones) noted that the dense canopy covering the trails and grounds of Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park made it diffi cult to see if illegal activities were occurring within these protected areas. In the vicin-ity of Guanacaste National Park the staff focused on the many illegal trails leading into the park from the highway and on the small settlement behind GNP. One highlight of the fl ight was to get an aerial view of the Roaring River adjacent to ATMNM where a dam was illegally constructed that blocked off a section of the river and resulted in environmental damage.

The Lighthawk fl ight over Half Moon Caye (HMC) and Blue Hole Natural Monuments included BAS staff Roberto Pott and Kenneth Gale, along with Belize Fishermen Cooperatives Association (BFCA) repre-sentative Nadine Nemhard. Although the photographs were not geo-referenced and other conditions were not controlled, it is still the most effective way to look for changes in the cayes’ vegetation and coral reef struc-ture occurring due to climate change and other global infl uences. The fl ight was used as an opportunity to orient new personnel within one of Belize Audubon Society’s partner organizations, BFCA.

Photographs were also taken to look for any visual effects of the shipwreck, M/V Transfer, particularly, metal leeching into nearby reef areas and benthic ar-eas. Of interest was the observation of the formation

of a small rubble caye east of HMC, referred to as Mitch Caye. It is slowly expanding and may eventually create some shallow tidal pools in that area. We will also monitor this area as it may reconnect with HMC and help to expand the caye naturally. The team was unable to identify suitable anchorage areas for mid-size to large vessels that visit the area. The dive site, Cathedral, was damaged in early 2006 by the Marine Vessel Tatoosh. BAS will be following up with Belize Port Authority to be sure that current anchorage areas are not impacting nearby coral beds. Another concern was an increase in sedimentation very close to reef patches; the staff suspected that it was caused by ves-sels navigating through shallow areas to approach the BHNM from the western end of the atoll. This access area will be monitored in the future.

The fi nal Lighthawk fl ight was over Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. The purpose of this fl ight was threefold. Education Programme Manger (EPM) Olivia Carballo-Avilez went as the videographer to collect footage to be used in the current BAS advo-cacy/public education campaign on wetlands. Park Director Donald Tillett went to observe the status of the Sanctuary and Village Chairman Rudy Crawford was invited to observe the Sanctuary and its proxim-ity to the village.

The EPM collected footage of various features of the area including open savannah land, the Crooked Tree Village’s proximity to the protected area, southern lagoon area, the northern lagoon area, the Crooked Tree lagoon area, several creeks and streams feeding into the lagoons from the Belize River. The Park Director focused on infractions within the protected area which consisted of an unauthorized trail (assumed to be made by developer Luke Espat), which extends from the developer’s property and runs into the protected area alongside Black Creek. He also noted that the lagoons were more fl ooded than usual in relation to the time of year (the dry season), so there were very few birds in the area. The Village Chairman observed the connectivity of the Crooked Tree Lagoon to the Belize River through the creeks and appreciated the importance of protecting this wetland area. —Dominique Lizama

Protected Areas Manager (Cayo Parks)

BAS NewsBAS News




21

Dominique LizamaDominique Therese Lizama was born in Belize City the

eldest of fi ve daughters of Jude and Delsie Lizama. From an early age, Dominique was exposed to nature ac-companying her father on trips to Rio Bravo, South Water Caye and various protected areas. Throughout her aca-demic career, she has studied the environment learning how to conserve and manage the natural resources. She has experience in both marine and terrestrial environ-ments doing fi eld work (monitoring, planning, assess-ments etc.) She is a trained socio-economic monitoring surveyor and a certifi ed SCUBA diver. She has partici-pated in research work in several communities in Belize for the Wildlife Conservation Society, Grinnell College (USA) and islands in the West Indies.

Dominique has recently completed a Master’s De-gree from the University of the West Indies in Natural Resources and Environmental Management with a focus

on Costal Zone Management. At Belize Audubon Society she works as the Protected Areas Manger for four protected areas in the Cayo District, namely Guanacaste National Park, St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park, Actun Tunichil Muknal Natural Monument and Tapir Mountain Nature reserve. Her knowledge, experiences, and love for nature makes her a valuable addition to Belize Audubon Society.

BAS NewsBAS NewsD

irk

Fran

cisc

o

Dirk Fran

cisco

Neysi PickwoadNeysi Eneida Pickwoad is an “excited” new

member of the BAS team. She was born and raised in Belize City and attended St. Joseph’s Pri-mary School and St. Catherine’s Academy (SCA). Having an affi nity from very young for the environ-ment and for the well being of people, she decided to study academic science at SCA. She also took lessons at the Pallotti School of Music, where she was a member of the Belize Chamber Group.

After graduating from St. John’s College Sixth Form, she studied pre-med for a year, and then worked as a manager, as an assistant accountant and later as an auditor at Pannell Kerr Forster for three and a half years. Neysi went on to obtain her baccalaureate degree (Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting) at the University of Belize.

She was employed at Provident Bank for two and a half years in the accounting department before fi nally fi nding a home at the Belize Audubon Society where she can now use her accounting skills to improve an organization that advocates for the sustainability of the environment.

New Staff at BAS




22

BAS Managers (from left: Dirk Francisco, Carol Williams, Uriah Rhaburn, Larry Santos, Rennie Jones, Neysi Pickwoad, Stephen Swasey, Olivia Carballo-Avilez, Kenneth Gale, Roberto Pott, Dominique Lizama, Donald Tillett, Allen Genus) stand behind BAS Executive Director Anna D. Hoare (center) at 37th Annual General Meeting. The Board is seated (Lascelle Tillett, Nicole Auil, Mike Heusner, David Craig, Jude Lizama, Linda Searle, Anna Rossington, Carlton Young, and Earl Green). —photo by Judy Lumb

37th BAS Annual General Meeting at Guanacaste National Park

The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) held its 37st Annual General Meeting on May 27th at Gua-

nacaste National Park, a 50-acre park located at the entrance of Belmopan City. The meeting was attended by approximately 150 members of the Society, invited guests, and their families.

President’s Remarks… On a personal note, it is with a heavy heart

that I announce that I have made the personal decision to no longer run for a position on the BAS Board. I will continue my work with BAS for the next term in the position of Immediate Past President (IPP). Words cannot explain the pride I feel in our present Board and the way that every single Board member has contributed to the unparalleled success of BAS in an environment where many NGO’s are striving to just keep their heads above water. There are several members of our Board who have the leadership qualities, dedication and experience to lead this Society into a future fraught with new challenges on the environmental front. …

Executive Director Report… Belizeans in general need to recognize the true

value of the environment or else we will continue to degrade it without concern for the ramifi cations of such actions. Despite our challenges, BAS views our stumbling blocks as stepping stones in forging ahead and so will continue to manage our natural resources through leadership and partnerships so that together we can strike the balance between people and the en-vironment. I wish to thank our donors who support our work, our steadfast Board of Directors, our loyal members, friends, committed staff, and their families for their unending dedication to environmental con-servation in Belize!

Financial ReportThe Financial Report was given by Anna Ross-

ington. The total BAS 2005 budget amounts to $1.9 million. BAS is still heavily dependent on grant fund-ing to meet the expenses required to carry out our programmes. BAS is very grateful to all our funders who make this work possible. (See p. 27 for a list of current funders.)

37th BAS AGM37th BAS AGM




23





24

37th BAS AGM at GNP (cont’d)


The audited fi nancials were not available in time to be in-cluded in the Annual Report, but are included here (p. 23).

Last year’s report indicated that BAS ended the fi scal year 2004 with an overdraft of more than $400,000, which was due to the delay of grant payments from the European Union. The BAS 2005 fi scal year ended with $340,000 in profi ts which were mostly consumed by payment of the overdraft fees. There was a 100% increase in entrance fee income, mostly due to the increase in fees for the Half Moon Caye and Blue Hole Natural Monuments. The marine parks are the most expensive to man-age. They constitute one-third of the expenses for protected areas management. At the same time, the Government of Belize cancelled the $200,000 annual payment, which was their con-tribution to the management of the nine protected areas.

During this fi scal year BAS encountered some fi nancial challenges that resulted in the dismissal of the Accountant. The Finance Committee and the Staff are working to improve controls and transparency at both the offi ce and the parks.

President and First Secretary HonouredOutgoing President David Craig and First Secretary Judy

Lumb were given plaques in recognition of their service to the Society.

BAS Board elected at the 37th AGM and continuing (from left) Lascelle Tillett, Nicole Auil, Jude Lizama, Carlos Matua, Arlenie Perez, Carlos Santos, Mike Heusner, Carlton Young, Linda Searle, Anna Rossington, David Craig, Earl Green —photo by Judy Lumb




25

Outgoing President David Craig atop a hollow branch cut from the dying Guanacaste tree —photo by Judy Lumb


Guanacaste Tree CutOn a sad note, the Guanacaste tree, the signature tree

for the Guanacaste National Park, had to be cut. One of the three large branches had fallen fi ve years ago and there was concern about the remaining two, so BAS consulted Forest Department experts to determine their status. When it became clear that both were quite rotten, the diffi cult decision was made to cut them before one fell and injured someone. The 20-foot high trunk is now all that is left of that once grandeous tree.

The AGM at GNP gave BAS members the opportunity to see the remains of the famous tree. The good news is that there is another huge Guanacaste tree on the River Path that will become the new signature tree in Guanacaste National Park.

President David Craig receives a plaque from Marine Pro-tected Areas Manager Roberto Pott. —photo by Judy Lumb

Election of Offi cersElected to serve for two-year terms on the Board

of Directors were Earl Green—President; Mike Heu-sner—First Vice President; Carlton Young—Second Vice President; Mark Hulse—Treasurer; Nicole Auil—First Secretary; Anna Rossington—Second Secretary; and Jude Lizama, Linda Searle, Arlenie Perez, Carlos Santos and Carlos Matus—Directors. Remaining in offi ce for one more year are Lascelle Tillett and Carlos Fuller—Directors, while David Craig will remain on the Board as Immediate Past President.

Nature ActivitiesThe agenda was culminated with planned nature

activities that included birding, kayaking, swimming and hiking. Prizes were provided by Angelus Press, A & R Enterprise Ltd., Brodies, BTL, Chaa Creek, Brothers Habet, Habet & Habet, Fultec, Grace Ken-nedy, Tropic Air, Maya Island Air, Publics, Scotia Bank, Smart Phones, and Radisson Fort George Hotel. Fifteen lucky winners took home a savings account, toaster, phone cards, cellular phone, cash, trips, pen set, gift certifi cates and gift baskets. The BAS staff cooked a scrumptious barbeque for its members. The fi rst time that the BAS AGM was held at a protected area was such a suc-cess that we expect a bigger turnout at another protected area for next year’s AGM.

37th BAS AGM at GNP (cont’d)




26

FeedbackFeedback

It promised to be a sunny Saturday as my husband, our two children, and I rushed out of the house

headed for Guanacaste National Park for the Belize Audubon AGM. While we were eager to do all the fun outdoor activities, as new members of Audubon, we wanted to know what the organization had been doing for the past year.

When we arrived, the staff was most courteous, providing us with a package that included the annual report and other information. We sat discreetly at the back of the tent but soon our children were recognizing familiar faces in the crowd and saying “Look, there is Tía Natalie or there is Ms. Anna”. We tried our best to get them to speak quietly as the Executive Director Anna Hoare reported on Audubon’s accomplishments for the year.

Research Programme Manager Ivis Chan had given each of us a barbeque ticket. It was hard to divert the senses away from the smells of the grilling as we listened to the presentations. Everyone seemed most pleased when we took a lunch break while votes to elect new board members were counted. After getting a plate full of barbequed chicken, fruit and coleslaw, everyone sat around tables set out in the open. We all ended with a belly full of delicious food. The food cooked by the staff, rather than a caterer, made new

members like us feel at home.

After the new Board was introduced, we all broke out into groups to do some of the various exciting out-door activities planned by the staff. We cornered an old friend of mine, Marine Protected Areas Manager Roberto Pott, to announce that our family was ready to go kayaking. After quickly changing into our swim clothes we rushed down the path to the platform where we were told the kayaks were waiting. We thought we’d be the fi rst to get into a kayak but alas, upon reaching the platform outgoing First Secretary Judy Lumb was already happily cruising the river in one.

My husband Alex decided he would take the two children in his kayak, so I offered the vacant space in my kayak to Ever, a University of Belize business student. We all headed upstream with the guidance of staff as we each adjusted to our partner’s paddling. The day was perfect, sunny and calm but not muggy.

We looked for birds in the trees as we went under the bike bridge that crosses the River from Roaring Creek Village.

I could hear my children happily enjoying their ride with my husband but soon they headed down-stream, or at least I thought so until it was too late. Ever and I found ourselves going around a down-stream bend and suddenly it was apparent that no one had come this far downstream. But the river appeared calm and we decided to kayak for another half an hour before heading back upstream. As we looked at the trees hanging over the river and followed a cheeky little kingfi sher downstream, we discovered we are both from villages up north.

I was surprised to learn that Ever was a business and not a biology or natural resource management student. He said he was interested in outdoor things and had been a member of Audubon for a few years but that this was his fi rst time attending an AGM and also his fi rst time kayaking. I told him we needed to engage more business-minded people to become part of conservation efforts if we are to make them sustainable.

After enjoying the peacefulness of the river and listening to the sounds of the trees rustling in the wind, I suggested we head back lest they send out a search party for us. The hardest part of our journey was still ahead as we needed to kayak upstream. Just as we spotted the last and hardest bend, and were preparing to summon all our physical strength, the search party arrived. We will never know whether we would have been able to paddle the last ten minutes. Roberto was most relieved to see us and when we got to the visitor center it was obvious that others were already seeing the headline for the news the next day: “UB professor and student lost downstream of Guanacaste during kayaking adventure”. Instead we carried on with another round of ice-cold drinks, a happy ending to a memorable day.

If you are a member of the Audubon Society I strongly recommend you get out next year for the AGM and if you are not, be sure to join to show your support for our national protected areas and many ad-

ventures. —Elma Kay, Ph.D.

Department of Science, University of Belize

The Light Side of Audubon’s First Outdoor AGM




27


Belize Audubon Society Thanks Our Donors ...BAS is grateful for

support from:

AVINA Foundation

Commission of the European Union

Darwin Initiative Programme (U.K.)

Debt for Nature Swap (Governments of Belize and the United States)

Ford Motor Company

HIVOS

National Fish and Wildlife (U.S.)

Oak Foundation

Protected Areas Conservation Trust

United Nations Development fund (COMPACT)

Wildlife Conservation Society

Protected Areas Managed by BAS

Belize Audubon Society12 Fort Street, P.O. Box 1001, Belize CityBELIZE, Central America

email: [email protected]: www.belizeaudubon.orgTel: 501-223-5004/4988/4987Fax: 501-223-4985

bas38 2 oil final lores

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