Project Description
With the increase in development around Placencia Lagoon, the environment is losing one of the most important players in a healthy ecosystem – mangroves!!!! Many new residents and investors are unaware of the ecological AND cultural importance of mangroves, thus CRC has partnered up with the Belize Mangrove Alliance to restore and protect mangroves around the Placencia Lagoon. Also, given our work in mangrove conservation we are currently part of the Steering Committee of the Global Mangrove Alliance Belize Chapter.
Mangrove Restoration Update:
Biodiversity Surveys on Placencia Caye:
Allies of the Wild have begun biodiversity research on Placencia Caye, gathering baseline data on the effect of anthropogenic development on this small off shore mangrove Caye. To date, almost 100 species of animal have been identified on this project through surveying and community science initiatives, within the first few weeks of this 5 month project. Highlighted marine, terrestrial and bird species observed include the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus), Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari), the Green iguana (iguana iguana), spiny tailed rock iguana (Ctenosaura similis), juvenile American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), Mexican red rumped tarantula (Tliltocatl vagans) and a wide variety of mangrove specialist marine birds and mainland song birds.
Mangrove reforestation of Placencia Caye:
Allies of the Wild and the CRC have collaborated with Grassroots Belize to reforest areas of Placencia Caye with red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) and white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) to counteract mangrove die off on the Caye due to deforestation and changes in hydrology caused by development. Through grant funding support by WWF Mesoamerica, mangrove nurseries have been created on the Caye with over 100 mangrove propagules planted to date.
Allies of the Wild is an organization that champions the protection and rejuvenation of our planet’s wildest places, along with the critically endangered species that call them home. We harness the power of rave culture, rebellion and art in order to raise money to protect these habitats, protecting nature both internationally and at home. We run rewilding and land acquisition operations with the sole focus of buying and protecting critically endangered habitats earmarked for deforestation. Protecting these vital ecosystems while making sure ownership and stewardship of the land is under the control of local communities and the indigenous people is at the heart of all of our projects. We fund these conservation efforts by running raves and gigs across the UK and Ireland, with events taking place in Galway city, Bristol and Swansea since our beginning in May 2019. As young people ourselves, we believe that the young people of today have the power to be part of the change that our planet so desperately needs. The content we create through social media, photography and documentaries are intrinsically influenced by and linked to the creative youth of our generation. Our goal is to create a community of like-minded people who are passionate about our planet. Our planet is a wonderous place, and we can party to protect it.
