The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) is a non-governmental membership organization dedicated to the sustainable management of natural resources through leadership and strategic partnerships with stakeholders in order to create a balance between people and the environment.
Formed in 1969 as a foreign chapter of the Florida Audubon Society, BAS became an independent organization in 1973.
While the name "Audubon" suggests bird watchers, the Society is interested in all aspects of our natural heritage and is dedicated to the preservation of the wildlife and natural resources of Belize. It aims to promote appreciation of the beauty and diversity of nature, particularly in young people, by providing environmental education. Making people aware of the value of conservation is one of the Society's prime aims and objectives.
What Do We Do?
Currently BAS works in collaboration with the Forest Department (GoB) to manage nine of Belize's protected areas, covering an area over 162,000 acres. Under an agreement with the Forest Department (GoB), BAS manages the following protected areas:
* St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park
* Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
* Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
* Guanacaste National park
* Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument
* Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve
* Actun Tunichil Muknal Natural Monument
* Blue Hole Natural Monument
* Victoria Peak Natural Monument
Our Advocacy and Education programmes focus on protecting the integrity of these areas by analyzing and influencing policy, and educating the people who now, and in the future, will impact the parks. We work closely with the communities that surround the protected area - recognizing that their cooperation and input is essential to our work. |
