Elito Arceo is the 2022 Winner of James Waight Conservation Award

The James A. Waight Conservation Award was presented by the Belize Audubon Society to Jose “Elito” Arceo on Wednesday night during a virtual ceremony.  The award was presented to the well-known San Pedrano by Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Protected Areas Manager, Roberto Rivero. The conservation award is the hallmark event of the conservation community, held in the memory of the Audubon Society’s first president, James Waight.  Arceo has organized beach cleanups, fostered the protection of mangroves and involved students in activities across the island, including the Ambergris Caye Eco-Challenge.

Jose Arceo

Jose Arceo, Winner, James Waight Award

“It felt nice to be recognized and it was… by the [Belize] Audubon Society and by Mr. Joseph Waight for those kind words on behalf of his family.  It was really nice, it felt really good.  It felt really good to have won the award.”

Isani Cayetano

“What does this mean for you going forward, in terms of your continued efforts at conservation and environmental awareness?”

Jose Arceo

“Well, I won’t ever stop.  With or without the award I will never stop to bring attention or highlight the many issues we have on this island, whether it’s the conservation of the turtles, their protection, the cleanup efforts on the beaches and sometimes on the roads that we done.  And we have done this for many years, twenty plus, I guess.  So it just kinda gives me a new energy to continue doing this and also helping us to spread the word to protect and take care of our beautiful country we all call home which is Belize.”