UK Government awards grant to strengthen mangrove conservation in Belize
17th February 2025
The UK Government has announced a new grant of £3 million to support mangrove conservation in Belize. The grant will be used to improve the management of existing mangrove forests, restore degraded mangroves, and raise awareness of the importance of these ecosystems.
Mangroves are vital ecosystems that provide a range of benefits, including:
- Coastal protection: Mangroves help to protect coastlines from erosion and storm surges.
- Carbon sequestration: Mangroves store large amounts of carbon, helping to mitigate climate change.
- Biodiversity: Mangroves are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including fish, shellfish, and birds.
- Fisheries: Mangroves provide nursery and feeding grounds for many commercially important fish species.
However, mangroves are under threat from a range of human activities, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change. In Belize, mangroves are particularly vulnerable to deforestation for coastal development and agriculture.
The UK Government’s grant will help to address these threats by supporting the following activities:
- Improving the management of existing mangrove forests: This will involve developing and implementing management plans, training rangers, and establishing monitoring systems.
- Restoring degraded mangroves: This will involve planting new mangroves and restoring damaged areas.
- Raising awareness of the importance of mangroves: This will involve working with local communities, schools, and businesses to raise awareness of the benefits of mangroves and the need to protect them.
The grant will be implemented by the Belize Audubon Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of Belize’s natural resources. The Belize Audubon Society has a long history of working with mangroves, and has successfully implemented a number of mangrove conservation projects.
The UK Government’s grant is a significant investment in mangrove conservation in Belize. It will help to protect these vital ecosystems and ensure that they continue to provide their many benefits for generations to come.
Quotes:
- The UK’s Minister for the Environment, Rebecca Pow: “Mangroves are vital ecosystems that provide a range of benefits, including coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. This grant will help to protect these important ecosystems and ensure that they continue to provide their many benefits for generations to come.”
- The Executive Director of the Belize Audubon Society, Amanda Burgos: “We are grateful for the UK Government’s support for mangrove conservation in Belize. This grant will help us to improve the management of existing mangrove forests, restore degraded mangroves, and raise awareness of the importance of these ecosystems. We look forward to working with the UK Government to protect these vital ecosystems.”
UK Government awards grant to strengthen mangrove conservation in Belize
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UK News and communications 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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