Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The 2021 Chiquibul Junior Ranger Summer Camp will be from July 17th through July 24th.  Now's the time to apply.  Junior Rangers will learn about conservation, bush crafts, first aid, and much more.  It'll all take place at Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQg51BKFgZI/

"FCD in partnership with Belize Roadway Construction Limited announces its 3rd Chiquibul Ranger Summer Camp 2021. Interested Boys and Girls between ages of 10 to 12 can apply through their Parents by writing us at fcd@btl.net or calling at 823-2657 for the application form and instructions. Priority will be given to the villages of San Antonio, Cristo Rey, Seven Miles and Georgeville. Hurry up!!!! Limited space available."

Friends of Conservation and Development, which helps preserve the Chiquibul National Forest, is having a telethon to raise funds to help with  their efforts at keeping it pristine.  It'll be on Saturday, May 17th.  Check out the dark video they put together for it.  They need more patrols and better equipment to protect it from the motley crew of poachers, xateros, loggers, miners, and oreros. 

Wondering about what the Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team?  Here's a great video documentary from Daniel Velazquez about the project. 

"A documentary about the Chiquibul national park in Belize, and the people protecting it from poachers , a look at conservation today with Scarlet Macaw protection, and a short look back on Challilo Dam issue, and environmental destruction, with Sharon Matola, Greg Cho and people in Cayo.  Film is produced by Roni Matinez, Charles Britt and Filmmaker Daniel Velazquez active wildlife conservationist in Belize, this is also a creative art media project, in wish we gave cameras to the protection crew, and they took part in documenting."

"This year was a REAL collaboration between many organizations and individuals to save our dwindling population of scarlet macaws in this little patch of our Jewel.  We now have solid partners and concrete determination.  Over 50 volunteers from Belize, US, Spain, Switzerland, Guatemala and other countries, joined us this year in our stand to protect a declining species in a remote corner of the massive Chiquibul.  Want to join the Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team in 2014 as we continue our struggle?  We promise you an adventure you will not soon forget.  Thanks a million to the Belize Forest Department, Friends for Conservation and Development - FCD Belize, Blancaneaux Lodge, WCS-Guatemala, Daniel Velazquez, Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic, LoraKim Joyner, Rainforest Restoration Foundation, Loro Parque Fundacion, Tony Rath Photography and Tony Rath plus the rest of the army of collaborators, volunteers and donors who lent us that helping hand this year."

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust, which is currently doing a promotion on FB where you can win trips around Belize, announced 5 grants to Belizean NGO's for helping with biodiversity conservation in protected areas.  Friends for Conservation and Development, located in Succotz, was awarded $40,000 to help with monitoring poaching in the Chiquibul National Park.  Thanks, PACT!

"The Foundation continues to serve as a key partner in financing biodiversity conservation with clear and tangible benefits to the natural heritage, economy and people of Belize.  The PACT Foundation takes this opportunity to thank its partners, especially its grantees, for their commitment and continued efforts for the sustainable management of our protected areas."

Check out the contest on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pactbelize

Another great documentary is on the way from Daniel Velazquez.  In this documentary film, he follows the group that monitors the Scarlet Macaws in the Chiquibul National Park.  Great shots of nesting Macaws and some tapir too.  Can't wait to see this one.

What an amazing shot!  Tony Rath's photo captures Scarlet Macaws flying over the Mountain Pine Ridge area.  the birds have many nests in MPR and the Chiquibul National Park.  MPR is a magical place, and the birds know it.

There's a new conservation post in the Chiquibul.  The Caballo Conservation Post had its inauguration.  Thanks, PACT and FCD!  Protect the Chiquibul!

"Chiquibul National Park gets new Conservation Post valued at BZ $115K with funding from PACT and Environmental Management Fund! Established by: the Belize Forest Department, Belize Police Department, Belize Defence Force and Friends for Conservation and Development - FCD Belize on July 31, 2017."

Video of the day.  You can learn a lot about the Harpy Eagle, and Bladen Nature Reserve, which borders the Chiquibul.

"'Wings of Hope,' is a film chronicling the re-discovery of a population of wild Harpy Eagles in the Maya Mountains of southern Belize.  It details the history of the Belize Foundation and Research and Environmental Education (BFREE) and UNCWilmington initiative born from this discovery – the Integrated Community-based Harpy Eagle and Avian Conservation Program.  Created by Emmy-award winning filmmakers, Richard and Carol Foster of Wildlife Film Productions, this 20-minute documentary is rich with breath-taking footage of adult and juvenile Harpy eagles and other wildlife and vistas found in the pristine tropical forests of the Bladen Nature Reserve.  Over the seven year duration of the project, the Fosters followed local people involved as they transition from trainees to conservationists and as their lives are changed through their efforts to save this rare bird and its diminishing habitat."

The Chiquibul Forest Reserve was originally designated in December of 1956.  In 1995, Las Cuevas Forest Research Station was created.  Yesterday, July 4th, the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development inaugurated the Ceibo Chico Conservation Post.  Thanks also go out to PACT for funding the project, and FCD, for partnering in the project.

The Chiquibul Cave System is the largest in Central America, and has 2 of the largest chambers in the world.  The CFR has rich biodiversity, and is mostly a subtropical broadleaf forest, with some riparian forest sections.