Belize Audubon Society: Protecting Natural Treasures And Educating The Next Generation

The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) is a non-governmental, membership-based organisation dedicated to the sustainable management of natural resources. Founded in 1969, BAS is a nationally recognised conservation leader and development partner that works through stakeholders and strategic partnerships. BAS protects over 180,000 acres of land across Belize, encompassing seven co-managed protected areas: Blue Hole Natural Monument, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Guanacaste National Park, and Victoria Peak National Monument. These areas represent the richest land and marine environments in Belize, providing critical habitats for a plethora of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna. BAS also facilitates community education and engagement, conducting countless programs within schools, communities, and visitor centres to nurture growing minds and involve local communities in the management of protected areas.

The Belize Audubon Society is a non-governmental, membership-based organisation

The Belize Audubon Society is dedicated to the sustainable management of natural resources in the country. It aims to conserve and protect wildlife in Belize for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. The society manages seven protected areas in Belize, including the Blue Hole Natural Monument, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, and St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park. These protected areas encompass more than 180,000 acres of diverse ecosystems, including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural monuments.

The society also engages in environmental advocacy and education, promoting research and monitoring of critical species, and fostering an appreciation for the scientific, educational, and cultural values of Belize's protected areas. They conduct various programs within schools, communities, and visitor centres, such as nature schools, summer programs, teacher workshops, awareness campaigns, and environment camps.

In addition, the Belize Audubon Society actively participates in long-term research projects within the protected areas. For example, they monitor jaguars and pumas at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and study the behavioural ecology of the Ruby-throated hummingbird at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. They also collaborate with international organisations like the National Audubon Society to protect endangered bird species and develop bird tourism in Belize.

The society is funded through various means, including entrance fees, grant support, membership dues, contributions, and income generated from activities such as tourism. The Board of Directors, composed of 15 voluntary members, is responsible for policy setting, fiscal guidance, and governance of the society.

It was founded in 1969 by Dora Weyer and a group of conservationists

The Belize Audubon Society was founded in 1969 by Dora Weyer and a group of conservationists. The society was formed with a vision to inspire people to live in harmony with and benefit from the environment. The group of conservationists included James A. Waight, who served as the society's first president from 1969 until 1986.

The Belize Audubon Society was formed as a foreign chapter of the Florida Audubon Society, and it became an independent organisation in 1973. The society is named in honour of ornithologist and naturalist John James Audubon. The group aimed to conserve and protect wildlife in Belize for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.

In 1973, the society launched its first conservation project, the Jabiru Stork, which was added to Belize's list of protected species. Today, the Belize Audubon Society is the country's longest-standing and most respected conservation non-governmental organisation. They continue to advocate for the protection of Belize's natural resources and to educate the public about the value and sustainable use of these resources.

The society is dedicated to the sustainable management of natural resources and cares for national lands in areas designated as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural monuments. These protected areas encompass more than 184,000 acres and provide critical habitats for a wide range of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna. The Belize Audubon Society also fosters the appreciation and dissemination of the scientific, educational, and cultural values of Belize's protected areas, aiming to preserve this heritage for future generations.

The society co-manages seven protected areas in Belize

The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) is a non-governmental, membership-based organisation that co-manages seven protected areas in Belize. These areas, which see more than 52,000 visitors a year, include a rich variety of natural environments, from national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to natural monuments. The seven protected areas are:

• Blue Hole Natural Monument
• Half Moon Caye Natural Monument
• St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park
• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
• Guanacaste National Park
• Victoria Peak Natural Monument

These areas, encompassing more than 180,000 acres, represent some of the richest land and marine environments in Belize. They provide critical habitats for a wide range of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna, as well as sacred caves with limestone formations and ancient Maya remains.

BAS plays a vital role in fostering an appreciation for the scientific, educational, and cultural values of these protected areas. Through their work, they aim to preserve this natural heritage for future generations to enjoy. They also actively involve local communities in the management of these areas, providing training for residents living within buffer communities.

In addition to their co-management responsibilities, BAS conducts long-term research projects within the protected areas. For example, at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, they monitor jaguars, pumas, insect communities, and butterflies. At the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, they study the behavioural ecology of the Ruby-throated hummingbird and band migrant birds.

BAS is funded by entrance fees, grants, membership dues, and contributions

The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) is a non-governmental, membership-based organisation that is primarily funded by entrance fees, grants, membership dues, and contributions. The society was formed in 1969 by Dora Weyer and a group of conservationists with a vision to inspire people to live in harmony with and benefit from the environment. BAS is Belize's oldest and largest conservation NGO, protecting over 180,000 acres of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and natural monuments.

BAS co-manages seven protected areas in Belize, including Blue Hole Natural Monument, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, and St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park. These areas encompass the richest terrestrial and marine environments in Belize and provide critical habitats for numerous species of flora and fauna. The society's efforts in environmental advocacy and sustainable development are funded through a combination of entrance fees, grants, membership dues, and contributions.

Entrance fees are collected from visitors to the protected areas, with over 52,000 visitors recorded annually. These fees contribute significantly to the financial resources available for conservation and management of these areas. Grants and contributions from organisations such as the Protected Areas Conservation Trust and partnerships with companies like Island Expeditions also play a crucial role in funding BAS projects.

Membership dues are another important source of funding for BAS. As a membership-based organisation, BAS relies on the support of its members to carry out its conservation initiatives. Members not only provide financial support through their dues but also actively participate in the society's activities and programmes. BAS conducts various educational and community engagement programmes, such as nature schools, summer programmes, teacher workshops, and awareness campaigns, to involve the local communities in environmental protection and promote sustainable practices.

The funding obtained through entrance fees, grants, membership dues, and contributions enables BAS to continue its vital work in conserving Belize's natural resources and promoting sustainable development. The society's dedication to environmental protection and community engagement has established it as a respected leader in conservation and development in Belize. Through its diverse funding sources and commitment to education, BAS strives to foster a harmonious relationship between people and the environment.

The society is named after ornithologist and naturalist John James Audubon

The Belize Audubon Society is a national conservation group and development partner that inspires people to live in harmony with and benefit from the environment. It is a non-governmental, membership-based organisation dedicated to the sustainable management of natural resources. The society was formed in 1969 by Dora Weyer and a group of conservationists. It is named after the ornithologist and naturalist John James Audubon (1785-1851).

John James Audubon was a French-American self-trained artist, naturalist, and ornithologist with a passion for birds from a young age. He is known for his detailed illustrations of birds in their natural habitats and his seminal work, 'The Birds of America', a collection of 435 life-size prints of bird species, is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed. Audubon identified 25 new species and his scientific names are still used by the scientific community.

Audubon's interest in birds began during his childhood in France, where he roamed the woods, collected birds' eggs and nests, and made crude drawings. He immigrated to the United States in 1803, where he continued to pursue his interest in birds, studying and drawing them. He conducted the first-known bird-banding experiment in North America, tying strings to the legs of Eastern Phoebes to track their movement.

Audubon's major work, 'The Birds of America', was published between 1827 and 1839. It consists of 435 hand-coloured, life-size prints of 497 bird species, with each print organised for artistic effect and contrasting interest. Audubon's illustrations were revolutionary, as he positioned the birds in natural, dramatic poses and settings, using wire armatures to support the freshly killed subjects.

Audubon's legacy is complicated, as he is known to have enslaved Black people, written against emancipation, and stolen human remains. While he made significant contributions to ornithology, art, and culture, his actions reflected dominant white views of the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Despite this, the Belize Audubon Society honours his name and carries forward his passion for conservation and the natural world.

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