Help Restore the Maya Golden Landscape

Thanks to the support of donors to Ya’axché Conservation Trust’s, “Help Restore the Maya Golden Landscape” campaign has reached over 150 children and youths from the communities of Trio, Bladen, Golden Stream, Medina Bank and Indian Creek within the Toledo District, Belize. Youths participated in the various awareness activities such as Bio Blitz and Summer Camp, focusing on Belize’s protected areas, fire management, and restoration efforts in local communities. The initiative sought to strengthen youths’ understanding of conservation, biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental stewardship through hands-on learning experiences, inspiring future conservation leaders who will help protect Belize’s forests, rivers, wildlife, preserve cultural heritage, and strengthen communities’ resilience.

Outreach efforts over the past few months in 2026 combined interactive presentations, field demonstrations, games, creative exercises, and recreational activities led by Ya’axché’s Protected Areas Management, Community Outreach and Livelihoods, and Science programs.

Sessions focused on conservation laws of protected areas and its importance, ranger responsibilities, and navigation skills using GPS units and compasses. As it relates to climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods, youths explored topics covering cacao agroforestry, beekeeping, Inga alley cropping, silvopastoral systems, fire management, and ecotourism. Through practical demonstrations and group activities at schools, youths learnt about the responsible use of fire, and best practices in using at farms. Additionally, this was complimented with hands-on basic wildfire training done with about 30 farmers of the respective communities.

Through other sessions, youths also explored how sustainable farming practices can improve livelihoods while restoring ecosystems and protecting biodiversity. Exposure to chocolate-making enterprises, bee conservation art exercises, and ecotourism businesses encouraged youths to think creatively about balancing economic development with environmental protection.  

A key element of the work on conservation science and biodiversity monitoring was shared with youths. Community members examined freshwater macroinvertebrates under microscopes, learned about Belize’s wild cats and bird species, practiced bird identification, and explored the ecological importance of native stingless bees.

The education and outreach work supports the goals of the Help Restore the Maya Golden Landscape project by investing in the next generation of environmental stewards. By creating meaningful opportunities for youths to learn about ecosystem restoration, sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, and community resilience, the program is helping build long-term support for conservation across southern Belize. The knowledge and experiences gained will empower youths to share conservation messages within their schools, families, and communities and contribute to the future protection and restoration of the Maya Golden Landscape.