Belize
In 2006, WaterWays Caribbean was called by Belize Community Conservation to help with sanitation issues. Together we built Kids 4 Clean Water camps in Belize and are working to improve hygiene and sanitation in the poor villages near San Pedro. Local partners such as San Pedro Red Cross and Caribbean Youth Environment Network have also joined us as partners and many local businesses support us through in-kind donations.
Programs & Projects
Kids 4 Clean Water Camp
(2006-2016) WaterWays Caribbean has built a foundation in Belize through participation and facilitation of Kids 4 Clean Water camps in the San Mateo area for children since 2009. We have worked closely with local organizations such as San Pedro Red Cross and Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), ACES, Mar Alliance (aka the Shark Project) and other local organizations such as the Health Department and schools to bring the children of Belize an understanding and appreciation for environmental conservation, including health and wellness awareness.Some of the things we provided in our educational program were unique opportunities for the children to learn and grow their knowledge of environmental conservation. Implementing mangrove reforestation and conservation, learning about health and hygiene and disease, visiting the reef and experiencing the magic of the underwater world. We also performed water testing in the community and provided resources and information on clean water. The children were sea sponges, soaking up all we provided with enthusiasm.
2024 – We recently returned post pandemic to San Pedro and San Mateo to get started in re-introducing our Programs and to look at new approaches and ways of implementation. While we were in the community, we met up with many of our past participants and were tickled pink to hear the stories of how much impact and how much of a difference we made in some of these young lives. It was great to see aspects of our program had stuck and that “our kids” carried some environmental awareness and caring with them into their young adulthood. They were eager to share with us environmental initiatives and updates about their communities.
Project Mangrove: Teacher and Student Workshops
(2023 – present) WaterWays was awarded funding for a mangrove restoration project in 2023.
Most of the economy of Belize is centered on tourism from its coastal areas and cayes, to the beautiful rainforests and jungle areas, all teaming with amazing wildlife. which are all being seriously impacted by climate change. Mangroves and Coral Reefs provide protection from incoming storms and sea level rise, they filter toxins and provide refuge for wildlife. Our plan is to work with higher education institutions, such as the University of Belize and include our long time partners, and some new ones too, to educate youth and the community on how we can work together to protect mangroves as well as restore mangrove areas, and why it is so important. Through the work of university students and community members we hope to add to the Conservation efforts in this beautiful country. Belize is leading the Caribbean in its Debt for Nature Swap with the Nature Conservancy which includes restoring 20000 hectares of mangrove. We aim to ensure through community behavior change that there is no net loss of mangroves.
Project Mangrove is an initiative focused on enhancing climate change resiliency in Belize through nature-based solutions and community empowerment. This project is the result of a collaboration between WaterWays, Galen University, the University of Belize and Calabash Field Station, and the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA). In August 2024, one teacher workshop will be offered to Belizian teachers and one to students from across the country. This project and workshop is funded by the CEK Foundation’s Earth Focus Initiative.
Session Overview:
This workshop aims to provide Belizean high school educators with hands-on lesson plans and activities to increase awareness about the impacts of mangrove deforestation and climate change. The first day of the Workshop (August 6th) is on the mainland at Galen University’s campus and the remaining three days (two nights) will be spent at the University of Belize’s field station on Calabash Caye .
Day 1: Water sampling on the Macal River and an introduction to Ridge to Reef watershed management, water monitoring, and riparian forestry management at Galen University. Transportation will be provided from Belmopan to Galen and the field experiences and then back to Belmopan bus station if needed.
Day 2-4: Visit to the University of Belize’s (UB) chemistry lab for a continued discussion on water quality and monitoring. Bus transportation provided to Belize City to board the UB boat, explore the coastal mangroves and head to Calabash Caye Field Station. The remainder of the workshop will consist of education sessions, snorkeling & other nature-based exploration experiences, and mangrove curriculum development. Participants will learn hands on techniques in mangrove restoration in the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve and return home with material to implement restoration projects at home. Transportation to and from Belmopan will be provided from central locations.
Spaces are limited.
PROJECT MANGROVE 2024
Our inaugural Project Mangrove Workshops proved to be a great success. Educators and students from various parts of the country gathered at the University of Belize’s remote Calabash Caye field station to delve into the Ridge to Reef concept, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the pivotal role of mangroves in enhancing climate change resilience. Situated within the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve, approximately 33 nautical miles from Belize City, the field station provided a unique setting. Participants had the opportunity to explore the Marine Reserve’s snorkel trail, a segment of Belize’s extensive barrier reef system, the second largest in the world. Besides snorkeling, the workshop included informative sessions, nature-based activities, and the development of a mangrove curriculum. We are eager to see how the inaugural group of teachers and students will apply their newfound knowledge.
The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a newfound appreciation for the critical role mangroves play in their local environments. Educators reported that the hands-on experiences and the chance to observe these ecosystems firsthand had provided them with valuable insights and teaching strategies they could bring back to their classrooms.
Students, too, were inspired by the immersive experience. They eagerly participated in discussions and collaborated on projects aimed at promoting mangrove conservation. One student remarked, “I never realized how vital mangroves are to our coastlines and marine life. This workshop has opened my eyes to the importance of protecting these incredible ecosystems.”
Students, too, were inspired by the immersive experience. They eagerly participated in discussions and collaborated on projects aimed at promoting mangrove conservation. One student remarked, “I never realized how vital mangroves are to our coastlines and marine life. This workshop has opened my eyes to the importance of protecting these incredible ecosystems.”
Plans are already underway for future workshops, with the aim of expanding the program to include more participants and covering additional topics such as sustainable fishing practices, coral reef restoration, and coastal community engagement. By fostering a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship, Project Mangrove Workshops hope to create a ripple effect, inspiring action and awareness across the nation.
The success of these workshops highlights the significance of community involvement in conservation efforts. As we look to the future, we remain committed to empowering educators and students with the tools and knowledge they need to protect our natural world, ensuring that the beauty and biodiversity of places like the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve are preserved for generations to come.
Testimony from participant:
“Opportunities like these only come once in a while for Belizean teachers. The experience of learning from each other and the human interaction was incredibly valuable. What made the experience even more worthwhile was the chance to connect with nature and become one with our environment. Building on these experiences will help us enhance our science programs within our schools, and by extension, make a meaningful impact on Belizean youth that will resonate for years to come. Hopefully, this will chart the way for a better environment for future generations.”
Contact Us
Brooke Fleeman | Assistant Director, WaterWays Brooke@mywaterways.org
Denaie Swasey | Environmental Science Program Coordinator, Galen University dswasey@galen.edu.bz
Phone: 824-3226 or 602-2288
