Help Restore the Maya Golden Landscape

Following the devastating forest fires in the Maya Golden Landscape (MGL) earlier this year, Ya’axché Conservation Trust has been actively supporting impacted farmers in their recovery efforts.

In June 2024, our Community Outreach and Sustainable Livelihoods Team conducted damage assessments across ten communities. Collaborating closely with farmers and community leaders, we uncovered that:

• 14 smallholder farmers within Ya’axché’s network were severely affected, suffering extensive crop damage.
• 38 acres of farmland were destroyed, including valuable cacao crops and agroforestry systems that supported fruit and timber trees.
• The estimated value of crops lost totalled BZ$213,180.00 (US$106,590.00).
• Beyond farmland, the fires devastated forests, degraded topsoil, and disrupted habitats for native wildlife and migratory bird species.

In response, Ya’axché mobilized resources to deliver immediate relief and support long-term recovery efforts. With generous assistance from the local Rotary Club of Punta Gorda and Belize Tourism Industry Association- Toledo Chapter, we distributed cacao and shade tree seedlings to affected farmers. These seedlings are helping to restore agroforestry plots, ensuring sustainable livelihoods and creating habitats, thus helping to preserve biodiversity in the MGL.

Additionally, we facilitated training sessions on sustainable agroforestry practices and conducted a two-day fire management workshop. The fire management training equipped farmers and community leaders with basic knowledge to safely manage controlled burns and mitigate future fire risks.

To further aid recovery, we facilitated planning sessions, assisting farmers in developing farm plans for sustainable rebuilding. This initiative empowers farmers to create resilient and productive agricultural systems.

While the road to recovery continues, through the support of our donors we are making meaningful progress. Looking ahead, we aim to:

• Equip communities with fire response tools to enhance their capacity to act quickly and effectively during future threats.
• Collaborate with communities to develop Community-Led Fire Response Plans that prioritize fire prevention, preparedness, and response.

With your support, we can continue restoring livelihoods, safeguarding biodiversity, and building resilience in the Maya Golden Landscape. Every contribution—big or small—plays a vital role in protecting people, forests, and wildlife for generations to come.

The 2024 dry season has caused major destruction to protected areas and community farmlands in the Toledo District.  The end of April brought record-breaking hot, humid, and extended dry conditions to Belize, which led to numerous, uncontrolled fires and by mid-May, the Government had declared a state of public emergency. Our data shows that over 106,738 acres were burned across the landscape, representing at least 10% of Toledo. 

Early assessments indicated that over 1,000 smallholder farmers and residents were impacted, and losses were estimated to be more than $3 million Belize dollars. Subsistence crops such as beans, corn and cacao were among the losses. Forest, wildlife habitat and even some homes were also lost. 

Ya’axché’s “Golden Stream Corridor Preserve” was no exception. Fires raged through a portion of the property destroying approximately 2000 acres of forest. For the first time in 25 years, fire has torched the preserve. Ya’axché mobilized its entire staff to assist in combatting the fires with the guidance of trained fire management staff. Investments were made in creating fire passes around the field station and nearby buildings. Staff and rangers trekked miles to extinguish fires near the foothills and community members were hired to assist with under brushing of vines and dry foliage around the perimeter of the compound. The latter was important to deter fires from racing quickly when ignited. Several water stations were placed at strategic locations within the preserve to ensure that if fire emerges, the team can extinguish quickly. Ya’axché personnel combatted fire for almost three weeks before some control came into effect.

There is an urgency for Ya’axché to work even more closely with the Government of Belize and it community partners to build capacity for fire management. Firefighting apparatus need to be procured and fire management trainings and educational campaigns need to be undertaken so that people are better aware on actions to minimize crop loss, forest loss, destruction of houses and wildlife. Ya’axché commenced its on-the-ground damage assessment and plan of recovery which includes restoring lands within the GSCP where loss of forest is evident and assisting famers with resources to rebuild their farms.

As an NGO with considerable experience in protected areas management, community development and engagement, Ya’axché recognizes that increased capacity building to adapt to these changing times urgently needs attention. Adopting behavioural change as it relates to the use of land is optimal to sustain families. Community members are now at a realization, that traditional practices need to converge with sustainable climate-smart practices to ensure productivity, forest and animal health.

Your donations contribute to building a fire resilient landscape! 

Links:

• https://www.facebook.com/share/p/n4YwLXC86yyd6dB4/?mibextid=oFDknk
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