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TIDE Initiatives

TIDE works through three key initiatives that focus on marine and terrestrial goals:

Research and Monitoring
Education and Outreach
Resource Protection

Research and Monitoring

Research and monitoring creates a strong research and evidence base to develop innovative, interdisciplinary research and methodologies delivering appropriate tools and approaches. Assessing the health of the ecosystem encompassed by the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor includes marine, terrestrial and freshwater systems in an integrated approach to research and recommendation, incorporating the entirety of the watershed from headwaters to the coral reefs. Ecosystem mapping, the systems-based knowledge of coastal and marine socio-ecological systems includes the inter-linkages with marine and terrestrial systems to increase understanding and inform management decisions.


Education and Outreach

Environmental education and outreach is conducted through a variety of activities that focus on both Marine and Terrestrial priorities and include:

  • Radio show – twice monthly on the Waimali station
  • Freshwater Cup – a football tournament with a strong emphasis on environmental projects by the competing teams
  • Summer Camp – an annual activity
  • TIDE Weekend – over the holiday weekend of Pan-American Day and includes the Fish Fest and Youth Conservation Competition
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Outreach to schools and students

  • Awareness days and events
  • Science fairs
  • Poster and essay contests
  • Reports and research
  • Special educational exhibits

Outreach to communities

  • Community meetings and consultations
  • Community involvement in ecosystems management
  • Development of materials that focus on marine and terrestrial issues

Social Media

  • Outreach to the wider world community through the website, Facebook, blogs, twitter, e-news, newsletters, and other tools.

Resource Protection

TIDE conducts enforcement of laws and regulations through a series of activities:

  • Regular patrols by TIDE rangers,
  • Joint patrols with the Belize Defense Force, fisheries and others,
  • Signage and information regarding regulations,
  • Demarcation, and
  • Capacity building of TIDE rangers, community stewards, and members of the general public.
 
TIDE operates ranger and visitor stations on Abalone Caye, the Rio Grande River, West Snake Caye, at Payne’s Creek National Park and at a liaison office in the village of Monkey River to provide management of the following areas:
 

Marine

  • Port Honduras Marine Reserve (co-management with Fisheries Department)

 Terrestrial

  • Payne’s Creek National Park (co-management with Forest Department)
  • TIDE Private Protected Lands

Port Honduras Marine Reserve
The Port Honduras Marine Reserve covers 160 square miles of high biodiversity, with a robust belt of mangroves and sandy coasts that provide a critical link between terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Payne’s Creek National Park
Payne’s Creek National Park covers 36,420 acres in southern Belize; north to the Deep River Forest Reserve, east to Monkey River, the Caribbean Sea and Punta Negra, south to Port Honduras and west to the bank of the Deep River.
TIDE Private Protected Lands
Currently The Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) manages approximately 30,000 acres of private lands which are strategically located within the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor (MMMC).