Belize City | As part of the Mangrove Friendly Landscape Development Challenge 2024 edition, an award ceremony was conducted to announce and celebrate the efforts of different businesses, organizations and entities that conserve mangroves in Belize.
The Mangrove Friendly Landscape Development Challenge is a national competition to promote and recognize innovative development designs that enhance and preserve mangroves on private properties.
The 2024 edition was organized by WWF in partnership with the Belize Forest Department, Belize Ministry of Blue Economy, Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), the National Climate Change Office, Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit, the Belize Mangrove Alliance, The Pew Charitable Trusts, the USF Strong Coast Project funded by the US National Science Foundation, the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
This year, the friendly competition was carried similar to past challenges considering two main categories that take into account the following criteria:
We are thrilled to announce this latest edition’s winners:
Category “Aesthetics and Creativity”
Category "Conservation and sustainability value”
During the ceremony, we also highlighted the commitment of our «mangrove champions», those persons who are being instrumental for the protection and conservation of mangroves in Belize:
WWF and partners will continue implementing some other actions and efforts aiming to build capacity and network toward enhancing protection and restoration for mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs in Belize.
The Mangrove Friendly Landscape Development Challenge is a national competition to promote and recognize innovative development designs that enhance and preserve mangroves on private properties.
The 2024 edition was organized by WWF in partnership with the Belize Forest Department, Belize Ministry of Blue Economy, Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), the National Climate Change Office, Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit, the Belize Mangrove Alliance, The Pew Charitable Trusts, the USF Strong Coast Project funded by the US National Science Foundation, the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
This year, the friendly competition was carried similar to past challenges considering two main categories that take into account the following criteria:
- Conservation and sustainability value: Shoreline protection, habitat quality, biodiversity conservation and water quality enhancement
- Aesthetics and creativity: Integration of mangroves within the architectural concept of a property and the beauty of the landscape provided by the inclusion of mangroves
We are thrilled to announce this latest edition’s winners:
Category “Aesthetics and Creativity”
- First place: El Ben Cabañas
- Second place: Hideaway Caye
- Third place: Caribbean Shrimp Company
Category "Conservation and sustainability value”
- First place: Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association
- Second place: Crocodile Research Coalition
- Third place: Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative
During the ceremony, we also highlighted the commitment of our «mangrove champions», those persons who are being instrumental for the protection and conservation of mangroves in Belize:
- Vanessa Ramclam and Eric Foreman, owners of Sandy Cove Belize Tours
- Beverly Wade, CEO Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation
- Minerva Gonzalez, Restoration Desk Forest Officer, Forest Department
- Jamal Galves, Country Coordinator Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute
- Kevin Novelo, Research Manager for the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association
- Gustavo Valentine Rosado, consultant
WWF and partners will continue implementing some other actions and efforts aiming to build capacity and network toward enhancing protection and restoration for mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs in Belize.
