Buffer Community Network Continues to Rise with the TIDE

Staff of The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), including

Putting the logistics together upon arrival.

the Executive Director, Mrs. Celia Mahung, Development Director, Mr. Jonathan Labozzetta, Marine Biologist, Juan Chub and Head Ranger for the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, Marlon Williams, along with fourteen members from a Belize Defense Force (BDF) battalion stationed at the Fairweather Camp near Punta Gorda Town, travelled to Punta Negra to participate in Beach clean-up campaign organized by the local residents. The BDF men took charge and removed a whole heap of trash from the shore – ‘nuff respect!

Soldiers help to full the garbage bags

Punta Negra is one of the buffer communities of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Payne’s Creek National Park that TIDE has been working with from its inception in 1997. Presently, TIDE is assisting the Sea Breeze Women’s Group of Punta Negra with putting together a proposal for a grant from the Community Management of Protected Areas Conservation Programme (COMPACT).   Ms. Celia and Jonathan met with the members of the women’s group to discuss their ideas for a concept paper to develop environmentally friendly income generating activities for the villagers.

The TIDE group also visited Monkey River Village; another buffer community that TIDE has been working with since its inception. Monkey River Village is located a few miles north along the coast from Punta Negra.  Ms. Celia met with residents and their re-elected Village Council Chairperson, Mrs. Eleanor Sandlin, who pledged a continued working relationship with TIDE. 

The two neighboring villages held their Village Council elections this same Sunday.

Celia and the Village Council Elections Offcials

 We are proud to announce that Mr. Mario Muschamp, Manager of Payne’s Creek National Park and life-long resident of Monkey River Village, was elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the Monkey River Village Council.   Also, Ms. Suzette Jacobs, ranking ranger of Payne’s Creek, was elected as a councilor for her village in the office of Treasurer.  Suzette is an original Punta Negra gyal and the first female ranger for TIDE.  Congratulations to both of them and all of the councilors who were selected.