Valerie Woods moves over to PACT

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust, PACT, has a new Executive Director. Valerie Woods, former Director of Tourism, and recently appointed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Information takes over the directorship of PACT on December first. In a press release this evening, Woods said that while invaluable experience could be gained from being a P.S. she says the post at PACT will allow her to work with projects that promote the special needs of tourism and conservation. PACT falls under the Ministry of Natural Resources but is governed by an independent board. The trust funds environmental projects proposed by government departments, NGOs and grassroots organizations through the collection of a special environmental tax levied on visitors leaving Belize. Valerie Woods succeeds Humberto Paredes who recently retired.