(July 31, 2024) Text by the WCS Mesoamerica and the Caribbean team (Guatemala, Belize and Honduras-Nicaragua) Park ranger, forest ranger, ranger…these are some of the names given to those who watch over protected natural areas. Both in terrestrial and aquatic, as well as marine ecosystems, rangers often face complex situations and extreme weather conditions; cold, heat, rains, hurricanes, and floods, to name just a few.  They play a crucial role in preventing the expansion of illegal cattle ranch...

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(June 21, 2024) by Kristen Ku (Amandala Newspaper) BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 20, 2024 - After eight years of dedicated efforts, Belize has officially established a National Women in Fisheries Association on Tuesday, June 18. This achievement comes as seven women have been elected to serve on the executive body, including a president. “The whole idea started in that women wanted this space for them to be able to share their concerns and their issues regarding a sector that they’re not f...

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(June 20, 2024) by (7 News Belize)  Thurs. June 20, 2024 - A Women in Fisheries Forum in Hopkins village earlier this week brought together up to 60 different women from various fishing communities across the country. And they have now formed an association with the help of the Wildlife Conservation Society. The two day forum that took place on the 17th and 18th of June focused on their concerns as fisherwomen and value added producers. We spoke to the coordinator today: Ralna Lamb Lew...

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(April 27, 2024) There are four species of tapir in the world and Central America is home to the Tapirus bairdii species, considered a symbol of the jungle and fertility, present in myths and legends of various indigenous communities. This April 27th, we celebrate their presence in the Great Forests of Mesoamerica, as they play a crucial role in seed dispersal, thus contributing to the regeneration of tropical forests where they inhabit. Their distribution spans southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, C...

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(March 18, 2024) Design effective nature-based solutions for adaptation informed by climate risk assessment. Identify effective nature-based solutions and how they support adaptation to climate change. Monitor and evaluate the benefits of nature-based solutions for adaptation. Belize City (March 12, 2024)    Several representatives from government and non-government organizations will participate in a training titled ‘Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Adaptation: Working with Natu...

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(February 26, 2024) Review of new tools and initiatives to effectively improve shark conservation. Develop linked programs of marine conservation work and learn how to better integrate them with WCS’s conservation priorities to advance shark conservation. See and learn from the work to conserve the reefs and sharks at Glover’s Reef Research Station The need to act fast- with sharks now one of the most threatened groups of animals on the planet Placencia Village, Stann Creek District (February...

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(February 11, 2024) On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we highlight the work of Anna, Francis, Sofía, and Yamira from the Mesoamerica and Caribbean program of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Their sensitivity and passion exemplify a commitment to nature, communities, and wildlife. At WCS, we take pride in having a strong team of women in the field of science. Get to know them! Yamira Fuentes / WCS Belize “I am a Natural Resources Manager and researcher, I am cur...

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(November 10, 2022) Study across 31 openly accessible online platforms in seven languages detected 230 posts with possible jaguar parts for sale 71 posts were accompanied by images that were positively identified as jaguar 15 different types of jaguar parts were identified, including teeth, skins and claws 98.6 percent of all posts accompanied by verified jaguar parts were in Spanish, Chinese, and Portuguese 64 posts were assessed to be linked to a location, and of at least nine countries, the most prolific c...

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(May 04, 2021) Findings support global “30 by 30” goal of protecting 30 percent of the ocean by 2030 Study published in the journal Marine Policy shows a no-take marine protected area (MPA) in Kenya was able to compensate for overfishing by increasing and maintaining the growth rate of fish populations by 42% over 24 years  Study compared two common fisheries management approaches - protected area closures and fishing gear restrictions Gear restrictions provided short-term bene...

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(July 21, 2020) A Nassau grouper. CREDIT: A. Tewfik/WCS. BELIZE CITY , BELIZE |  JULY 31, 2020 - The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) congratulates the Government of Belize for legislating the expansion of its southernmost marine protected area. The newly expanded Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve now totals an area covering 321,623.5 acres (more than 500 square miles, or 1,301.6 square kilometers). In addition to the existing zones, the expansion includes a strictly protected area (co...

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