Turtle 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 More2026 Turtle Survey in the Jungle
July 3 – 12, 2026 Join the Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education (BFREE) and the Turtle Survival Alliance’s Volunteer Science Program to participate in a long-term population monitoring project for freshwater and terrestrial turtle species located within BFREE’s Privately Protected Area in southern Belize. The BFREE Privately Protected Area is a 1,153-acre reserve…
Read MoreVolunteering at BFREE
By Kiyana Reynolds Volunteering with the North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group (NAFTRG) at BFREE was a truly life-changing experience that deepened my love for nature and strengthened my commitment to conservation. From the moment I arrived, the BFREE team was incredibly welcoming, creating an atmosphere of support, curiosity, and shared purpose. The journey to…
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 MoreAndrew Choco Joins BFREE Full-time as Wildlife Fellow
Hey there! My name is Andrew Choco, and I am from Trio, a community adjacent to BFREE. I was raised in Bella Vista Village, where my connection with nature was somewhat limited. However, after watching documentaries on Animal Planet, my interest in the natural world was sparked. These programs ignited a deep passion for wildlife…
Read More2025 Long-term Turtle Survey in the Jungle
July 6 – 16, 2025 Join the Belize Foundation for Research & Environmental Education (BFREE) and the Turtle Survival Alliance’s Volunteer Science Program to participate in a long-term population monitoring project for freshwater and terrestrial turtle species located within BFREE’s Privately Protected Area in southern Belize. The BFREE Privately Protected Area is a 1,153-acre reserve…
Read MoreCelebrating the 8th Annual Hicatee Awareness Month
Hicatee Awareness Month began in 2017 to draw attention to the status of Belize’s only critically endangered reptile, the Central American River Turtle locally called “Hicatee”. Eight years later, BFREE and our NGO international and local partners including Turtle Survival Alliance, Zoo New England, Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic, WCS Belize, Community Baboon Sanctuary and Savannah…
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