A total of 27 rangers and technical staff participated in a specialized training on wildfire management and suppression, held in the Maya Forest Corridor of Belize. The five-day course focused on improving coordination, tool use, and safety during field operations.
The training was organized by the U.S. Forest Service, in collaboration with The Belize Zoo, the Maya Forest Corridor Working Group and supported by the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF). One of the instructors was Yahaira Urbina, fire management instructorwith the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Belize.
Two key modules were delivered during the training:
The initiative aimed to standardize wildfire suppression protocols in the region, promoting safer and more effective practices.
Representatives from the following institutions and organizations participated: Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, The Belize Zoo, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Belize Forest Department, Toledo Institute of Development and Environment, Friends for Conservation and Development, Belize Audubon Society, Belize Maya Forest Trust, and the Jamaican Fire Brigade.
Through this effort, institutions are strengthening their capacity to respond to the wildfires that affect the Maya Forest Corridor, a vital area for biodiversity and ecological connectivity in Mesoamerica.