Placencia Caye

Placencia Caye is a small island once covered in mangroves just south of the point of Placencia
Peninsula. The original owners understood the importance of sustainable development in which
communities and nature could coexist, and thrive! It was decided that 2/3 of the caye would
remain untouched, a 38-acre mangrove reserve that would be habitat for various wildlife, as well
as protection for the local communities.

Placencia Caye is not only important ecologically, but also culturally and historically. In 2000,
Hurricane Keith made landfall in the Placencia Lagoon area. The communities hailed Placencia
Caye as a major protection from the category 4 winds and storm surge. Placencia Caye has been
seen as a guardian in major storms, and a place of recreation for families over several
generations. The ancient Maya also used the caye given remnants of pottery and other ancient
“footprints” being found throughout the caye.

In October 2025, CRC became the official conservation trust managers of Placencia Caye, taking
the responsibility of ensuring the health of the mangrove forest for future generations. Part of our
responsibility is restoring mangroves where development may have caused previous die-offs, as
well as protecting the remaining mangroves. This initiative of mangrove restoration was
financially supported through funding by the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF). Their funding
also has assisted us in restoring an old boardwalk within the caye, as well as a dock so guests
may enjoy the ambiance of the Caribbean Sea. Our future goal is to extend the boardwalk
throughout the 38 acres so visitors can enjoy the full beauty the mangrove forest!

CRC will be conducting monthly biodiversity surveys of the caye, which will include terrestrial
surveys as well as aquatic surveys to monitor the wildlife of Placencia Caye. Additionally, we
will be connecting with local schools to participate once per month for trash pick-ups amongst
the mangroves for TrashBlitz, an initiative led by our partners, Sea of Life org. TrashBlitz is a
way to audit and tackle plastic pollution. By recording the trash we collect, we can have a more
informed idea of how to tackle the plastic pollution situation and inform lawmakers.
Would you like to sink your teeth into conservation with our efforts on Placencia Caye? Here are
a few ways you can contribute!

• Come out and volunteer in our research surveys, or trash pick-ups!
• Help us monitor our mangroves to ensure the longevity of our restoration efforts!
• Donate to the cause! Donate towards replanting mangrove or our boardwalk. We are also
  looking for putting up educational signs throughout the reserve!

Contact program.coordinator@crcbelize.org for more info!