PACT awards two environmental grants

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust, PACT, has awarded two grants of $25,000 each to community environmental groups. The funds awarded to the Belize Development Foundation will be used for reforestation around the village of San Antonio in the Cayo District. That area, on the edge of the Mountain Pine Ridge, is subject to periodic forest fires and the erosion which results. The second grant, to the Association of Friends of Freshwater Creek Forest Reserve, will be used to prepare a management plan for the reserve. The association includes representatives of the communities of San Estevan, Chunox, Santa Martha and Honey Camp in the Orange Walk District. PACT funds, which are obtained primarily through the imposition of a seven dollar and fifty cent charge on departing visitors, are used to enhance the protection of natural and cultural resources throughout the country. Any community based effort can apply for project assistance by calling PACT’s office in Belmopan.