Wildtracks

Wildtracks is a well-established conservation organisation working towards a sustainable future for Belize's natural resources by conserving ecosystems and species, building engagement, and strengthening capacity for effective environmental stewardship at all levels. The organization was established in 1990, and registered as a Belize non-profit organization in 1996. In collaboration with its partners, Wildtracks has made critical contributions towards conservation in Belize, and has demonstrated high cost-effectiveness, effective project and strategy implementation, with built-in evaluation, and a demonstrable, consistent success record. Wildtracks is recognised at national level for ... read more Wildtracks is a well-established conservation organisation working towards a sustainable future for Belize's natural resources by conserving ecosystems and species, building engagement, and strengthening capacity for effective environmental stewardship at all levels. The organization was established in 1990, and registered as a Belize non-profit organization in 1996. In collaboration with its partners, Wildtracks has made critical contributions towards conservation in Belize, and has demonstrated high cost-effectiveness, effective project and strategy implementation, with built-in evaluation, and a demonstrable, consistent success record. Wildtracks is recognised at national level for its conservation successes, has a highly motivated team, and an international following of dedicated supporters. The organisation's programmes are designed to support national and global goals and address critical gaps, and fall into four areas: 1. Biodiversity Conservation (Landscapes / Seascapes; Protected Areas; Endangered Species (including manatee and primate rehabilitation), Sustainable Reefs ) 2. Capacity Building (Core conservation Skills, support to emerging conservation leaders 3. Outreach (In-situ and Ex-situ education, outreach and engagement at all levels) 4. Support (Volunteer Programme; Capacity Building; Conservation Consultancy Services; Financial Sustainability; Administration) Landscapes / Seascapes: Wildtracks has partnered with other stakeholders towards the successful declaration of the North East Biological Corridor in Belize, linking key protected areas within the tropical forest landscape, and protecting wide-ranging species such as jaguar and tapir. In the marine environment, Wildtracks has been providing technical support for the strengthening river to reef communication and collaboration between five protected areas in the northern Belize seascape. At the national level, Wildtracks is leading planning for coral reef resilience and mangroves Endangered Species Conservation: Wildtracks has partnered with Government and non-Government stakeholders to address wildlife trafficking in Belize. It also hosts two of of Belize's four wildlife rehabilitation centres - for Greater Caribbean manatees and two species of primates - Yucatan black howler monkeys and Central American spider monkeys - all endangered. Effective wildlife rehabilitation and release is part of the organisation's integrated species conservation strategies. Both have the highest success rates in the region, with strategic species reintroductions to strengthen species viability. Capacity Building: Wildtracks is strengthening its capacity-building programme, providing accessible core conservation skills for conservation practitioners and emerging conservation leaders in Belize. The focus is on improving protected area and species management effectiveness, with the integration of climate-smart planning. Outreach: The Outreach Programme focuses on effective partnerships to build capacity at national and local levels for improved environmental stewardship. Wildtracks engages students from schools around Belize, particularly in species conservation, building awareness of ecosystem services and climate change resilience. Wildtracks achieves its outputs through a team of dedicated volunteers, who handle daily maintenance of endangered species in rehabilitation, and through the skill set of its directors for effective conservation planning and facilitation, bringing people together from all levels of society for concrete conservation successes. Much of the work is done on a volunteer basis, but the operating costs have been creeping higher, and there is now a critical need to diversify the income base. Income is currently through volunteer contributions to operating costs, grants, and through consultancy services in conservation planning for initiatives that meet the Wildtracks Mission, as a way of providing technical assistance and facilitation to conservation efforts on a local and national level whilst also providing a financial sustainability mechanism for support of Wildtracks activities