Belize Community & School Programs

Community & School Programs

The only successful conservation program is one that involves local communities.

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Involving local communities and their children in citizen science, nature education, site management, and public outreach programs is key to our mission and vision.

We have had the amazing opportunity to reach thousands of children and watch them grow up wearing BFREE t-shirts and become active in the field of conservation. For us, this is an integral part of our commitment to inspiring the next generation.

Opportunities with BFREE

Community Groups

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Presentations and workshops are offered on a limited basis to community groups and businesses to encourage conversations and collaborative solutions toward conserving Belize’s amazing natural resources. Topics connect to BFREE conservation programs.

School Programs

BFREE staff visit Primary school, Secondary school and College classrooms in Belize to share information and teach on a variety of wildlife and natural history topics. Engaging programs are offered in the form of presentations, along with interactive workshops.

Local Visitation

Although BFREE is not open to the public, we welcome scheduled, small group visitation in the form of field trips, workshops, and retreats – all with the central theme of expanding understanding of the biodiversity of Belize. Learn more through the visit page.

Common Queries

What topics does BFREE focus on for community & school groups?

Education programs offered by BFREE often use charismatic species like the Harpy eagle or Hicatee turtle to touch on larger landscape issues that impact plants, wildlife and humans. Workshop series like Belize’s Lesser-Known Creatures (ex. Snakes and bats) are designed to reduce fear of wildlife and address human/ wildlife conflict.

Can BFREE be scheduled to come to a school or center for an educational program?

BFREE selects schools to work with which are buffer communities to the reserve as well as schools within Belize River and Monkey River watersheds. Because our team is small, we are not able to visit all the schools in Belize and therefore offer a wealth of resources online and through our quarterly educator newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter – here.

Is there a charge for BFREE to travel to a school or center for a program?

There are fees associated with professional workshops as well as for group visitation to the field station. A group leader interested in a workshop or in coming to BFREE first completes this contact form.

Recent Community Program with BFREE

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In 2024, BFREE hosted two half-day and one full day listening workshops throughout Belize to continue conversations on the topic of Hicatee conservation. Two of the workshops were offered to college students while the third was offered to traditional fishers who have harvested Hicatee in the rivers of Belize for generations.

These workshops are a continued effort to elevate recognition of and identify current threats to the critically endangered Hicatee turtle. They also provide space to brainstorm conservation actions and sustainable solutions that individuals and communities can implement.