A smooth ride...

Drivers up north (across the bridge), bike riders, and even pedestrians, are enjoying the nicely graded roads from the bridge through to the Cloisters thanks to the newly purchased grader from Reef Village.

Every time it rains, this area gets extra muddy and is filled with pot-holes, which of course makes it hard to navigate. With the new purchase, there is a bit of relief from the bad streets...kudos!

Green Reef Receives PACT Grant for Sport Fish Conservation Plan

Press Release - Green Reef - Oct. 1, 2010 - Green Reef was awarded a PACT grant to develop a sport fish conservation plan for Belize. One component of the project is to conduct community workshops with the objective of developing recommendations that will be presented to policy makers for the further development of appropriate conservation and management measures for the protection of critical sport fish habitat.

Four stakeholder community workshops have been planned throughout the country to provide input towards the strategies and actions of the conservation plan. As a key stakeholder for your local destination, Green Reef would like to invite you to attend the community workshop for your area as indicated in the attached invitation. Below are the scheduled dates and locations. Please plan on attending.

Belize Forest Department Issues Press Release Regarding ACES

September 29, 2010 - The American Crocodile Education Sanctuary ( ACES) has been working under the Authority of the Belize Forest Department since 2006. The sanctuary was established to provide a refuge to ‘problem’ crocodiles which would have otherwise have to be killed. ACES also rehabilitates crocodiles for release back into the wild and has also conducted research in the south of the country.
ACES was first allowed to capture and relocate problem crocodiles from Punta Gorda, Belize City and Ambergris Caye but with increasing reports of problem crocodiles from other parts of the country, the organization was given the authority to respond to such reports along with the Belize Forest Department.

ACES has also played an import role in educating locals and foreigners alike on the need for the continued protection of both Morelet's and American Crocodiles in Belize. ACES has been working closely with the Forest Department and have not at any time operated without authorization.

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Belize Forest Department
Headquarters: Forest Drive, Belmopan
Phone Numbers: (501) 822-1524/2079
Email: wildlife@mnrei.gov.bz
Fax: 822-1523

Planned Power Outage - San Pedro Town - Sunday, October 3, 2010

Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers in San Pedro Town that the supply of electricity will be interrupted from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon on Sunday, October 3, 2010.

Areas to be affected: All of San Pedro Town.

BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to carry out maintenance work on the San Pedro and Maskall Substations.

For customer inquiries and services call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: http://www.bel.com.bz/services_outages.asp

This notice is for public information purposes only. For more information, contact Belize Electricity Limited, Corporate Communications Department at 227-0954, extension 2502.

Tropical Storm Matthew Falls Lighthouse on Half Moon Caye Natural Monument

P R E S S R E L E ASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dirk Francisco, Publicity Officer
Telephone: (work) 223-5004/4987/4988
Email: publicity@belizeaudubon.org
Website: www.belizeaudubon.org

Belize City, Belize, October 1, 2010 - The historic lighthouse at Half Moon Caye has finally given way to the forces of nature, as a result of Tropical Storm Matthew. The Half Moon Caye staff was evacuated from the island in the threat of the storm, so all we know is that it was some time during the weather-event that the structure fell. The discovery was made by staff upon their return to the island on Monday and a complete assessment was conducted on a trip to the island shortly thereafter. The active lighthouse was unaffected and continues to function properly.

The structure, built in 1820, now lies as disintegrated pieces of metal partly in the water at the edge of the island. The lighthouse was upgraded in 1845 and the steel frame added in 1930. Originally located midway between the north and southside of the caye, the lighthouse in recent years had been gradually moving closer to the water as weather phenomena changed the dynamics of the caye, shifting it northward. The old lighthouse was decommissioned in 1997 and since then has been gradually decaying. Efforts were being made to preserve the cultural landmark, but it did not gather enough steam to generate the needed funding. In 1998, a new lighthouse was erected several metres away from the old structure.

Belize Audubon Society is currently seeking funding to erect a multi-function building visually replicating the iconic architectural design of the old lighthouse. This new structure will not only honor the old lighthouse but will also function as a visitor centre, communications center, and patrol and observation deck.

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ABOUT THE BELIZE AUDUBON SOCIETY
The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) is a non-governmental membership organization dedicated to the sustainable management of Belize’s natural resources through leadership and strategic partnership with stakeholders in order to create a balance between people and the environment. BAS co-manages nine protected areas on behalf of the Belizean citizenry, is actively involved and dedicated to community outreach, environmental education, advocacy, biodiversity conservation and research.