Developing the Next Generation of Marine Conservationists: A Pilot Project
Grantee:
Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA)
Location:
Southern Stann Creek: Communities of Independence, Red Bank, San Juan, Georgetown, Maya Mopan, Santa Cruz, Seine Bight and Placencia
Thematic Area:
Protection for Biodiversity
Timeframe:
June 2024 – June 2025
Funds from Belize Fund ($BZD):
$80,029.00
Co-financing ($BZD):
$33,490.00
Project Goal:
To implement a classroom instruction package, field visits for upper-division students, and training workshops for 50 tour guides from 8 communities in southern Belize to encourage increased exposure, knowledge, appreciation, and interest in marine conservation by at least 25% by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Project Objectives:
- To design and implement a robust marine conservation training curriculum by June 2025
- To empower upper-division students in eight communities in southern Stann Creek with relevant knowledge of marine conservation by June 2025
- To increase tour guides’ understanding of marine ecosystems and best practices for conducting tours that enhance responsible tourism in southern Stann Creek by June 2025
Expected Outputs:
- Skilled personnel hired for the design and implementation of the project.
- Qualified Teachers and Tour Guides trained as trainers.
- Marine conservation package created for standard five students.
- Standard five classroom presentations on marine conservation completed in eight schools.
- Marine field trips completed for standard five students from eight primary schools.
- Marine conservation packages created for a 1-day workshop for inland and marine tour guides.
- At least 25 inland tour guides attend marine ecosystems training and field trips.
- At least 25 marine tour guides attend a one-day training workshop on advanced marine topics and best practices