California Food System Network (CFSN)
Achieving a Sustainable Food System in California by 2030
This group supports the entire network of the California food system in creating a sustainable food system for the state by 2030. This site provides tools for all the different players in the CA system to learn from each other, connect, and collaborate - allowing individual efforts to join forces in moving the whole system towards sustainability.What is the ...learn more
GROUP DETAILS
Created: Sep 24, 2007
Updated: Oct 15, 2009
Membership: Open To Apply
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About [Edit]
Who Are We?
The Belize Audubon Society [BAS] is a non-governmental membership organization dedicated to the sustainable management of our natural resources through leadership and strategic partnerships with stakeholders in order to create a balance between people and the environment.
The Society was formed in 1969 as a foreign chapter of the Florida Audubon Society and has been affiliated with the National Audubon Society of the United States from the beginning. In 1973, it became a completely independent organization.
While the name "Audubon" suggests bird watchers, the Society is interested in all aspects of our natural heritage and is dedicated to the preservation of the wildlife and natural resources of our country. It aims through education, to promote appreciation of the beauty and diversity of nature, particularly in young people. Public opinion is of great importance in this endeavor and making people aware of the value of conservation is one of the Society`s prime aims and objectives.
What Do We Do?
Currently BAS works in collaboration with the Forest Department [GoB] to manage nine of Belize`s protected areas. Under an agreement with the Forest Department [GoB], BAS manages the following protected areas:
* St. Herman`s Blue Hole National Park
* Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
* Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary [Ramsar Site]
* Guanacaste National park
* Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument [World Heritage Site]
* Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve
* Actun Tunichil Muknal Natural Monument
* Blue Hole Natural Monument [World Heritage Site]
* Victoria Peak Natural Monument
Our Advocacy and Education programmes focus on protecting the integrity of these areas, by analyzing and influencing policy, and educating the people who now, and in the future, will impact the parks. We work closely with the communities that surround the protected area - recognizing that their cooperation and input is essential to our work.
What Are Some Of Our Accomplishments?
• Oldest, largest environmental conservation organization in Belize.
• Successfully lobbied GoB to declare the first protected area - Half Moon Caye Natural Monument under the National Parks System Act of 1981.
• The first environmental NGO in Belize that is managing the largest tracts of public lands as protected areas.
• Foremost provider of meaningful and relevant environmental education in the early 70`s on a national scope.
• Advocate for meaningful changes in policy regarding national resources management.
• The first NGO to sign a co-management agreement with GoB in 1984.
Vision
The Belize Audubon Society [BAS] will be a strategic leader in building a nation in which people in Belize live in harmony with and benefit from the environment.
Mission
The Belize Audubon Society is a non-governmental membership organization dedicated to the sustainable management of our natural resources through leadership and strategic partnerships with stakeholders in order to create a balance between people and the environment.
Advocacy
The Belize Audubon Society challenges the view that conservation is an activity that is separate and in conflict with the development of the country. Rather, we consider conservation and care for the environment to be an integral part of our nation`s advancement. This philosophy underpins our approach to both advocacy and education.
Our advocacy program aims to change environmentally harmful behaviors through influencing policy and legislation, and by influencing the environmental thinking of all sectors of society. Our environmental charter, An Environmental Agenda for the 21 st Century highlights the key environmental issues of concern.They include:
* tourism,
* fisheries and coastal ecosystems,
* waste management,
* environmental education
* forestry and protected areas
* water resources
* land ownership and development
* agriculture
Addressing Land Problems
Problems with land distribution, land tenure and land use underpin many of the environmental problems that we are witnessing today. With this in mind we at BAS are currently focusing our advocacy efforts on lobbying for the introduction of a fair and transparent land policy that ensures that our people are treated fairly and that land is used wisely. This is being achieved through our involvement with the Land Alliance for National Development [LAND] , for which BAS acts as Secretariat.
Monitoring Environmental Problems And New Development Projects
BAS works closely with the Department of the Environment [DoE], and acts as a watchdog to ensure that the authorities are notified about environmental problems. We also represent ANDA on the National Environmental Appraisal Committee [NEAC]. The NEAC is responsible for reviewing the Environmental Impact Assessments of large development projects.
Supporting Advocacy Work In The Community
We are actively working in both rural and urban areas to support local groups with their own advocacy campaigns. By offering advocacy skills training along with our NGO partners, SPEAR, we aim to empower the Belizean public to advocate for environmental change for themselves. We also support school-based environmental groups through our Young Environmentalists program.
Our Advocacy Program Is Funded By The Dutch Organization HIVOS.
Education
Education is at the heart of steering the country towards environmentally responsible development. At the Belize Audubon Society we believe that by working directly with both adults and children, we can help people to not only understand environmental problems, but also how they can be solved.
Educating Communities Bordering The Protected Areas
In support of our community co-management efforts, we are working closely with residents in villages bordering our protected areas in order to help them gain the knowledge and skills they need to become more involved in conservation management.
In addition to basic skills in literacy, leadership, advocacy and planning, we are also offering training in sustainable resource management and business planning. The practical skills gained as a result of the training sessions help residents of our buffer zone communities to identify practical ways of making a living without harming the environment.
Educating School Children
BAS has always made efforts to help school children and teachers learn about the environment. Our Education for Sustainability program aims to promote learner-centered [hands-on] activities that teachers can use to develop critical thinking skills, and that challenge students to find solutions to environmental problems. Our educational kits on different environmental topics help the teachers fulfill their curriculum goals and at the same time bring fun and enjoyment to learning about the natural world.
School Visits
The BAS education team give regular presentations on environmental topics in primary schools. Hundreds of school children from around the country now have a greater awareness of the Belizean environment. Slide presentations are most popular but we are also developing puppet shows for younger children and more advanced presentations for high schools.
Visiting Our Parks And Educational Centers
There is so much to learn and enjoy at our protected areas. The field trails offer children and adults of all ages first hand experience and understanding of the natural world, and our visitor`s centers have a wealth of information to enhance this learning experience. Several of our centers are currently being upgraded to improve the educational content even more.
Groups of students are welcome at all of our parks. You can contact our Public Participation Officer at the BAS office for more information, and for reservations.
The Belize Audubon Society [BAS] is a non-governmental membership organization dedicated to the sustainable management of our natural resources through leadership and strategic partnerships with stakeholders in order to create a balance between people and the environment.
The Society was formed in 1969 as a foreign chapter of the Florida Audubon Society and has been affiliated with the National Audubon Society of the United States from the beginning. In 1973, it became a completely independent organization.
While the name "Audubon" suggests bird watchers, the Society is interested in all aspects of our natural heritage and is dedicated to the preservation of the wildlife and natural resources of our country. It aims through education, to promote appreciation of the beauty and diversity of nature, particularly in young people. Public opinion is of great importance in this endeavor and making people aware of the value of conservation is one of the Society`s prime aims and objectives.
What Do We Do?
Currently BAS works in collaboration with the Forest Department [GoB] to manage nine of Belize`s protected areas. Under an agreement with the Forest Department [GoB], BAS manages the following protected areas:
* St. Herman`s Blue Hole National Park
* Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
* Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary [Ramsar Site]
* Guanacaste National park
* Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument [World Heritage Site]
* Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve
* Actun Tunichil Muknal Natural Monument
* Blue Hole Natural Monument [World Heritage Site]
* Victoria Peak Natural Monument
Our Advocacy and Education programmes focus on protecting the integrity of these areas, by analyzing and influencing policy, and educating the people who now, and in the future, will impact the parks. We work closely with the communities that surround the protected area - recognizing that their cooperation and input is essential to our work.
What Are Some Of Our Accomplishments?
• Oldest, largest environmental conservation organization in Belize.
• Successfully lobbied GoB to declare the first protected area - Half Moon Caye Natural Monument under the National Parks System Act of 1981.
• The first environmental NGO in Belize that is managing the largest tracts of public lands as protected areas.
• Foremost provider of meaningful and relevant environmental education in the early 70`s on a national scope.
• Advocate for meaningful changes in policy regarding national resources management.
• The first NGO to sign a co-management agreement with GoB in 1984.
Vision
The Belize Audubon Society [BAS] will be a strategic leader in building a nation in which people in Belize live in harmony with and benefit from the environment.
Mission
The Belize Audubon Society is a non-governmental membership organization dedicated to the sustainable management of our natural resources through leadership and strategic partnerships with stakeholders in order to create a balance between people and the environment.
Advocacy
The Belize Audubon Society challenges the view that conservation is an activity that is separate and in conflict with the development of the country. Rather, we consider conservation and care for the environment to be an integral part of our nation`s advancement. This philosophy underpins our approach to both advocacy and education.
Our advocacy program aims to change environmentally harmful behaviors through influencing policy and legislation, and by influencing the environmental thinking of all sectors of society. Our environmental charter, An Environmental Agenda for the 21 st Century highlights the key environmental issues of concern.They include:
* tourism,
* fisheries and coastal ecosystems,
* waste management,
* environmental education
* forestry and protected areas
* water resources
* land ownership and development
* agriculture
Addressing Land Problems
Problems with land distribution, land tenure and land use underpin many of the environmental problems that we are witnessing today. With this in mind we at BAS are currently focusing our advocacy efforts on lobbying for the introduction of a fair and transparent land policy that ensures that our people are treated fairly and that land is used wisely. This is being achieved through our involvement with the Land Alliance for National Development [LAND] , for which BAS acts as Secretariat.
Monitoring Environmental Problems And New Development Projects
BAS works closely with the Department of the Environment [DoE], and acts as a watchdog to ensure that the authorities are notified about environmental problems. We also represent ANDA on the National Environmental Appraisal Committee [NEAC]. The NEAC is responsible for reviewing the Environmental Impact Assessments of large development projects.
Supporting Advocacy Work In The Community
We are actively working in both rural and urban areas to support local groups with their own advocacy campaigns. By offering advocacy skills training along with our NGO partners, SPEAR, we aim to empower the Belizean public to advocate for environmental change for themselves. We also support school-based environmental groups through our Young Environmentalists program.
Our Advocacy Program Is Funded By The Dutch Organization HIVOS.
Education
Education is at the heart of steering the country towards environmentally responsible development. At the Belize Audubon Society we believe that by working directly with both adults and children, we can help people to not only understand environmental problems, but also how they can be solved.
Educating Communities Bordering The Protected Areas
In support of our community co-management efforts, we are working closely with residents in villages bordering our protected areas in order to help them gain the knowledge and skills they need to become more involved in conservation management.
In addition to basic skills in literacy, leadership, advocacy and planning, we are also offering training in sustainable resource management and business planning. The practical skills gained as a result of the training sessions help residents of our buffer zone communities to identify practical ways of making a living without harming the environment.
Educating School Children
BAS has always made efforts to help school children and teachers learn about the environment. Our Education for Sustainability program aims to promote learner-centered [hands-on] activities that teachers can use to develop critical thinking skills, and that challenge students to find solutions to environmental problems. Our educational kits on different environmental topics help the teachers fulfill their curriculum goals and at the same time bring fun and enjoyment to learning about the natural world.
School Visits
The BAS education team give regular presentations on environmental topics in primary schools. Hundreds of school children from around the country now have a greater awareness of the Belizean environment. Slide presentations are most popular but we are also developing puppet shows for younger children and more advanced presentations for high schools.
Visiting Our Parks And Educational Centers
There is so much to learn and enjoy at our protected areas. The field trails offer children and adults of all ages first hand experience and understanding of the natural world, and our visitor`s centers have a wealth of information to enhance this learning experience. Several of our centers are currently being upgraded to improve the educational content even more.
Groups of students are welcome at all of our parks. You can contact our Public Participation Officer at the BAS office for more information, and for reservations.
