PACT Launches $16.5 Million Conservation Investment Strategy for Belize’s Protected Areas System

PACT Launches $16.5 Million Conservation Investment Strategy for Belize’s Protected Areas System

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PACT LAUNCHES NEW CONSERVATION INVESTMENT STRATEGY

July 6, 2023 — (Belmopan, BZE) The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) launched its Conservation Investment Strategy 2023-2026 at a ceremony held at the Guanacaste National Park in Belmopan. This Investment Strategy is the second such plan to be implemented by PACT and will guide the Trust’s investment of BZ$16.5 million into the National Protected Areas System throughout 2023-2026.

 

The core objective of the Strategy is to “Strengthen coordination and regulation of the BNPAS by instituting a collaborative structure that mobilizes resources efficiently to increase management presence and systematize data collection and analysis which informs decision making” over the next three years. The Strategy was developed through an evidence-based, participatory planning process that benefitted from the input of a multi-stakeholder working group while also incorporating lessons learned and best practices from the implementation of the preceding strategy.

This investment aims to expand PACT’s footprint by targeting 40 protected areas across Belize, which constitute approximately 60% of the National Protected Areas System. Through this investment, PACT aims to (i) strengthen collaboration among protected areas managers and co-managers in the use of resources, (ii) standardize methodologies for biodiversity monitoring and assessment, (iii) increase public awareness focusing on the benefits of protected areas, (iv) accelerate financial stability of co-managers, (v) enhance species protection and climate change strategies, and (vi) strengthen governance of public co-management entities.

This vision goes beyond the site-level to a landscape and seascape approach to protected areas management to secure the biodiversity and ecosystem integrity of Belize’s Protected Areas System.

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PACT is a statutory body that was formally established in January 1996 with the passing of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust Act, No. 15 of 1995.  The functions of PACT are to encourage and promote, for the benefit and enjoyment of the present and future generations of the people of Belize, the provision, protection, conservation, and enhancement of the natural and cultural resources of Belize.  The PACT is managed by a Board of Directors that is comprised of Government agencies, non-government organizations and individual experts.