The Belize Audubon Society aims at creating a balance between people and the environment, educating, advocating and managing protected areas for sustainable development in Belize. We call for development that is socially responsible, economically feasible with the least negative impacts to the environment. We urge that proper planning is done by all, private and public sector alike, as it relates to the use of our natural resources.  BAS believes that the budding oil industry in Belize cannot contribute to the sustainable economic development of the nation without proper adherence to environmental and socio-economic policies and plans. BAS also recognizes that these national policies and plans will be flawed without full, transparent stakeholder consultation, participation and consensus.

In adhering to our mission, the Belize Audubon Society wishes to categorically state that we do not support developments that are not aligned with the country’s national development ethos, and are not sustainable or incur negative impacts that far outweigh their positive outputs.

Development of mega projects, such as South Beach Belize, requires close examination and analysis. The Belize Audubon Society does not support mega projects for various reasons, most notable being:

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) produced by the South Beach Belize developer proposed a five phase project. While Phase I seems to have the least environmental impact, the plan in its entirety can not be supported by the Belize Audubon Society. The EIA process focuses on the environmental merits and the proposed development’s environmental ramifications such as mangrove clearance, dredging and filling, etc. In addressing EIAs, such as in the case of South Beach Belize, the social component is not assessed with due merit. The National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC), which reviews EIAs for large scale projects primarily, focuses on the environmental factors that affect biological diversity, with few voices representing the social sector. As a membership organization, the Belize Audubon Society takes its responsibility to its members seriously, and has been and continues to advocate for more active and responsible social participation so that the voices of all concerned can be heard. In addition BAS recommends that NEAC have equal social representation to address the social impacts. We encourage all citizens to express their views and exert the pressures necessary for social concerns to be adequately addressed on NEAC.

Whilst the EIA for South Beach has received clearance, some concerns remain unaddressed. One such concern is that the boundary between Hol Chan and the development site has not been clearly defined nor has a buffer between the two been attributed. Additionally, the dredging site for the rest of the development has not been identified. Both outstanding issues must be addressed prior to proceeding to Phase II of the project.

The Department of Environment has produced the Environmental Compliance Plan (ECP) that stipulates a large security bond and a significant monitoring fee to ensure that the developer adheres to environmental regulations and the conditions of the ECP. Additionally the South Beach project has a requirement that it must return for approval by NEAC of each subsequent phase (prior to commencement of construction), at which point, based on merit of the achieved development, the developer may or may not proceed. It is important to note that each approval is subject to the current laws and regulations at the time of review.

This project is expansive with great potential to cause negative impacts to society and the environment, and therefore BAS cannot support this initiative. In holding steadfast to our mission, we cannot support this type of project, as in our view it does not “create a balance between people and environment”.

The Belize Audubon Society is a non-governmental environmental organization working in partnership with government, non-government and community-based organizations, as well as regional and international agencies for the better management of Belize’s protected areas.

As  pressures on our natural resources increase, the urgent need to institute changes in our natural resources management framework is at its greatest. The Belize Audubon Society calls on the political parties to provide their commitment to consider the environmental policy recommendations within the Environmental Agenda. Further to that, BAS will implement initiatives to create awareness and educate the Belizean people and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations (CBOs) on the issues within the Environmental Agenda document. Initiatives will also be undertaken to mobilize key groups to advocate for environmental policy changes.

As pressures on our natural resources increase, the urgent need to institute changes in our natural resources management framework is at its greatest.

There is significant history and advocacy milestones in the Environmental Agenda document as it has been a key advocacy tool for the Belize Audubon Society, with two Agendas having been produced. In 1998, the Belize Audubon Society charted the way for the mainstreaming of environmental issues in the political campaign platform through the production of the “Environmental Charter” - a environmental agenda for Belize – and advocating for the adoption of the agenda with political parties contesting the general elections. When the manifestos were published in 1999, for the first time, the environment was one of the elaborated platforms as one of the parties adopted several of the recommendations presented within the “Environmental Charter” and presented their proposed national environmental agenda.

Prior to the 2003 general elections, in 2002, BAS once again promulgated key environmental issues recommendations in an environmental agenda under the title of “An Environmental Agenda for the 21st Century and Beyond.” Both parties adopted and adapted recommendations from within the Environmental Agenda proposed by BAS in their manifestos.

The Belize Audubon Society acknowledges the contributions and support of many partners in the development of the Environmental Agenda document including the local technical experts who developed the various sections, the Board and staff of BAS and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Download the full report here:
An Environmental Agenda for Belize 2008 – 2013(PDF 1.33MB)

All projects should adhere to the laws of Belize, particularly when the development is planned for a sensitive protected area.

BAS is supportive of the goal of any sound infrastructural development project in improving the economic conditions of our communities’, particularly for Crooked Tree Village where BAS has invested and implemented several community development initiatives. However, this infrastructural development has proceeded without going through the proper legal process contrary to the National Parks System Act Chapter 215 of the Laws of Belize which governs protected areas and the Environmental Protection Act Chapter 328 of the Laws of Belize which governs development.

Belize Audubon Society’s position is that all projects should adhere to the laws of Belize, particularly when the development is planned for a sensitive protected area. Adherence to the laws would enable proper planning, reducing potential negative environmental, social/cultural and economic impacts.

The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a nationally and internationally recognized protected wetland area. International recognition comes from its designation as a Ramsar site which gives it the status of a wetland of international importance. While these recognitions are commendable, it is the valuable functions of the lagoons and creeks within the CTWS which makes it an important area.

Members of the BAS board and staff view the causeway development at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is the primary water supply source for the Crooked Tree Community and also provides food for the community through subsistence fishing. In addition, the lagoons and creeks play a critical role for flood control for the Belize River Valley and for Belize City as they act “as a huge water storage area for the Belize River” during the rainy season.

As the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary Draft Management Plan states: “When extensive rainfall causes high-stage floods, water is forced backwards up Black Creek and into the Crooked Tree wetland complex of Northern, Western and Revenge Lagoons, filling the inundation area, then flooding the adjacent pine savanna, and backing up Spanish Creek. Once the river flow is back to normal, the stored water then drains back into the river through Black Creek.” This function was clearly evident in the aftermath of Hurricanes Mitch and Iris, and heavy rains in 2006.

People are not the only ones dependent on the water within the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary as the Sanctuary “provides for critical habitat for wildlife” (CTWS Management Plan) with thousands of migratory and local water birds, including the Jabiru (CTWS has the highest population) and Wood storks, flocking to the CTWS to feed on fish found in the lagoons. It is this role that has attracted visitors to this protected area.

These functions must be safeguarded and taken into consideration in planning development in close proximity to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and even more so for a development in the wildlife sanctuary.

The Belize Audubon Society will continue to support community development initiatives as well as to advocate for sustainable, planned development as we continue to be an active and responsible partner in the development of Belize.