LESSONs LEARNED
Through the support of CEPF, the organization
Friends for Conservation and Development is working to improve the management of the core areas of Chiquibul and the Maya Mountains Key Biodiversity Area in Belize via an integrated, bi-national strategy.
Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, Friends for Conservation and Development
What was the most important lesson learned?
Joint environmental protection efforts along trans-boundary protected areas do play a significant role in building confidence and reducing conflict.
Describe how you learned this and whether / how you have adapted your approach or 
specific project elements as a result.
The Chiquibul/Maya Mountains Key Biodiversity Area forms a part of a region highlighted by CEPF as a world hotspot for species diversity, yet this ecosystem is under constant threat from a variety of anthropogenic pressures. On the Belize side, the Chiquibul forest is fairly intact and provides an opportunity for the sustenance of La Selva Maya Corridor. The human pressures on the Guatemalan side, on the other hand, have created serious fragmentation of the Chiquibul/Montañas Mayas Biosphere Reserve and are prone to increase the impacts across the border.
Maintaining such a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), therefore, cannot be an effort undertaken alone by Belizean conservationists. Joint environmental protection efforts along trans-boundary protected areas do play a significant role in building confidence and reducing conflict. As a result, from the outset of the project a strategy has been to engage various organizations in Guatemala and muster their support. A bi-national work plan devised in May of 2007 propelled us to develop seven thematic areas ranging from bi-national patrols and environmental education to the exchange of information and fundraising. Though the interest has been to improve protection of the Chiquibul-Maya Mountains ecosystem, the collaborative work has enabled us to construct new confidence-building measures and lead us to facilitate good relations. This is an ongoing work where community leaders, governmental officials, youths and local env
ironmentalists are a part of an ongoing purpose to maintain this trans-boundary ecosystem. No doubt that as new initiatives are being constructed, such as the CATIE Tri-national initiative, these will help strengthen the current work and bolster new partnerships.
Realizing that in trans-boundary disputes there are large and complex issues, conservation efforts that enable technical cooperation across countries adds a new dimension. Building support systems can be tense, but in the face of the magnitude of the challenges we must be optimistic, and the efforts must be unrelenting and unswerving.