UK Government Awards Grant to Strengthen Mangrove Conservation in Belize
February 17, 2025
The UK Government has announced a new grant of £3 million to support mangrove conservation and restoration efforts in Belize. The grant will be used to fund a range of projects aimed at protecting and restoring Belize’s critical mangrove ecosystems.
Mangroves are important coastal forests that provide a wide range of benefits, including protecting shorelines from erosion, filtering water, and providing habitat for a variety of marine life. They also play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
However, mangroves are under threat from a variety of human activities, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change. In Belize, mangrove forests have been lost to development, agriculture, and shrimp farming.
The UK Government’s grant will help to address these threats and support the sustainable management of Belize’s mangroves. The funding will be used to:
- Plant 1 million mangrove seedlings in degraded areas
- Establish and manage community-based mangrove conservation projects
- Develop and implement a national mangrove management plan
- Raise awareness about the importance of mangroves and their conservation
The project will be implemented by the Belize Audubon Society, a local non-profit organization with a long history of working to protect Belize’s environment.
Richard Moore, British High Commissioner to Belize, said:
“The UK Government is committed to supporting Belize’s efforts to protect its natural resources. Mangroves are vital ecosystems that provide a wide range of benefits, including protecting shorelines from erosion, filtering water, and providing habitat for a variety of marine life. This grant will help to ensure that these important ecosystems are conserved for future generations.”
Dr. Edilberto Romero, Executive Director of the Belize Audubon Society, said:
“We are grateful to the UK Government for this generous grant. Mangroves are essential to the health of Belize’s coastal ecosystems and provide a range of important benefits to local communities. This grant will allow us to scale up our conservation efforts and make a real difference in protecting these valuable ecosystems.”
The UK Government’s grant is part of its commitment to supporting climate action and protecting biodiversity around the world. The UK is a leading donor to the Green Climate Fund and has pledged to provide £11.6 billion in climate finance between 2021 and 2025.
UK Government awards grant to strengthen mangrove conservation in Belize
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GOV UK a new article on 2025-02-17 16:48 titled “UK Government awards grant to strengthen mangrove conservation in Belize”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
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