Conservation
Reflections on announcing the Hicatee Conservation and Action Plan
Rocento Pau spoke on behalf of BFREE last week at the Belize Climate Symposium to announce the Hicatee Management and Action Plan. Watch Rocento address the symposium. By: Rocento Pau, BFREE Office and Hospitality Coordinator Attending Climate Week in Punta Gorda was a meaningful and inspiring experience for me, both professionally and personally. As the…
Read MoreHope for the Hicatee
Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education Announces Approved Hicatee Conservation and Action Plan Hope for the Hicatee August 24, 2026 Punta Gorda, Belize —The Fisheries Department within the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation has approved and endorsed a conservation and action plan for the Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys mawii) locally known in Belize…
Read MoreEvery Turtle Has a Story: My Volunteer Experience with NAFTRG at BFREE
Ashira Rancharan recently wrapped up her contribution to the North American Freshwater Turtle and Tortoise Research Group (NAFTRG) turtle survey of BFREE. Ashira participated in five days of the study, and was particularly intrigued by the nuances between the different turtle species she came across.
Read MoreConservation Through Connection Workshop
by Jayc Cantun, Wildlife Fellow The Conservation Through Connection workshop at BFREE was a remarkable five-day immersive experience that brought together 13 young conservationists (10 students and 3 BFREE Fellows) from across Belize to strengthen our shared knowledge, skills, and passion for environmental stewardship. Throughout the week, we explored not only the scientific aspects of…
Read MoreListening to the Belize River II
Ground-truthing, community knowledge, and the next steps for freshwater stewardship in the Lower Belize River Valley By Jaren Serano | BFREE Dermatemys Social Scientist | Belizean PhD Student, University of Florida Community meeting at the Community Baboon Sanctuary Education Center. For BFREE, conservation has always been about more than protecting individual species. It is also…
Read MoreListening to the Belize River
Ground-truthing, community knowledge, and the next steps for freshwater stewardship in the Lower Belize River Valley By Jaren Serano | BFREE Dermatemys Social Scientist | Belizean PhD Student, University of Florida …
Read MoreCrioCo Wild Chocolate Shop
Announcing – CrioCo Opens Wild Chocolate Shop in Placencia, Belize A Farm-to-Bonbon Celebration of Craft, Community, and Conservation CrioCo is proud to announce the December 2025 opening of its Wild Chocolate Shop on the Tipsy Strip along the main sidewalk in Placencia, Belize, inviting locals and visitors into a farm-to-bonbon chocolate experience grounded in craftsmanship,…
Read MoreScaling-Up Local Stewardship: A Summer of Listening, Learning, and Advancing Freshwater Conservation in Belize
By Jaren Serano, Dermatemys (Hicatee) Social Scientist During my work as Dermatemys (Hicatee) Program Coordinator, I focused on ensuring the Conservation and Management Plan for the Hicatee turtle was finalized and approved by stakeholders including the Belize Government. Through this process, I became particularly interested in the human dimensions of the conservation program for the…
Read MoreA Tasty Collaboration
During May, Caputo’s did a limited release of 250 Wild Criollo bars as part of their Guardians of Wild Cacao chocolate bar series. The Collaboration from BFREE’s Perspective – by Jacob Marlin The first time BFREE made chocolate bars with our 100% wild Criollo cacao beans in any quantity was through a collaboration with the…
Read MoreWildlife Ambassador Training
BFREE Staff gather in the BFREE Commons as they prepare for their training program. By Rocento Pau, BFREE Office Administrator On May 9 and 10, the staff of BFREE participated in Belize Wildlife Ambassador Training. This program was offered by Dr. Isabelle Paquet Durand and her team from the Wildlife and Referral Clinic (BWRC) based…
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