Posts Tagged ‘bfree’
The Importance of Involving Local Communities in Conservation
By Jaren Serano I vividly recall my first time on the Belize River, navigating a canoe while assisting in population surveys for a Hicatee assessment. Despite my Belizean upbringing, my familiarity was primarily inland, leaving the fishing communities’ way of life somewhat foreign to me. Engaging in river-based research marked my initial exposure to the…
Read MoreRocento Pau joins BFREE as Administrative Assistant
My Name is Rocento Pau. I was born and raised in Sunday Wood Village, which is in the southern district of Toledo. I am a Ketchi maya. I grew up working in the forest with my father for a living. I am a person who takes each opportunity as a learning experience. I love nature.…
Read MoreJaren Serano returns to BFREE as Dermatemys Program Coordinator
By Jaren Serano During my first stint at BFREE, I had the privilege of witnessing the positive impact that organizations like this have on land conservation, wildlife protection, and the conservation efforts among the local communities in Belize. When I joined as BFREE’s first Science and Education Fellow in 2017, I was immediately drawn to…
Read MoreThe Fascinating Characteristics of Sundew
By Mark Canti The astonishing characteristics of sundews are unbelievable to me. During two research trips with Dr. Rob Naczi of NY Botanical Garden, I learned a lot about plants, especially sedges. I was introduced to carnivorous plants and found them fascinating. I was shocked to learn that while walking around, we have been stepping…
Read MoreCollaborative Cacao Research Project
By Roxanna Chen BFREE in collaboration with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) facilitated a cacao research project at the BFREE’s Field Station in May 2023. The primary objective of the collaboration was to co-design and enhance post-harvest practices and methods for Criollo Cacao which is intercropped and shade-grown in several experimental plots within the…
Read MoreNaming Opportunity for a New Species of Beaksedge
By Dr. Robert Naczi and Heather Barrett Through his research to document the diversity and conservation status of Belizean sedges, Dr. Robert Naczi of New York Botanical Garden recently discovered a species of beaksedge previously unknown to science. In Belize, the Sedge Family (Cyperaceae) is one of the five largest (most species-rich) plant families. Beaksedges…
Read MoreIntroducing New Hospitality Staff at BFREE
Two new faces greet BFREE visitors in 2023. We are happy to introduce Pedro Witz, Office and Hospitality Coordinator, and Mario Teul, Tour Guide and Educator. (Header photo of Mario Teul with students from Kutztown University by Chris Habeck.) Pedro Witz Pedro Witz was born in Puerto Barrios Guatemala in 1987. Shortly after, his parents migrated…
Read MoreFrom Bean to Bar: BFREE’s cacao program bears fruit
Over the past three years, BFREE has been doing research and experimentation to develop a model for farming the BFREE Criollo cacao, under its for-profit – Crioco Cacao, LLC. The goal is to create healthy and productive trees that yield cacao beans that are ultimately made into some of the world’s best Heirloom Fine Flavor…
Read MoreRe-wilding Hicatee into Belize’s rivers
BFREE, with the help of our dedicated partners, implemented three (3) separate Hicatee turtle release events for 2022. The first release event was conducted on the 1st of April 2022 when fifty-five (55) juveniles and hatchlings were released into a river in north central Belize. The release was done by BFREE’s Tom Pop and Jonathan…
Read MoreMeet Robynn Phillips
BFREE’s New Engagement and Communications Coordinator Hi! My name is Robynn Phillips. I’ve recently joined BFREE on a contract basis as the Engagement and Communications Coordinator. My role is primarily to manage activities associated with BFREE’s annual awareness campaign for Hicatee Awareness Month. I am from one of the coastal communities in Southern Belize about…
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