Press Release
In commemoration of World Wetlands Day 2026, national and community partners gathered in Crooked Tree Village on Friday, January 30, 2026, to formalize a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing the traditional use and sustainable management of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. The agreement was executed between the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management, through the National Biodiversity Office, the Crooked Tree Village Council, and the Belize Audubon Society, reflecting a shared commitment to community-centered conservation and responsible resource use.
A welcome address was delivered by Mrs. Elizabeth Wallace Escobar, Chairlady of the Crooked Tree Village Council. A key highlight of the agenda was a presentation titled “From Dialogue to Agreement – Our MOU Journey” by Mr. Shane Young of the Belize Audubon Society, which outlined the collaborative process that led to the agreement. An overview of the MOU was then provided by Mr. Saul Cruz of the National Biodiversity Office.
The keynote address was delivered by Hon. Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management, during which he emphasized that the agreement demonstrated how culture, tradition, and conservation could coexist within protected areas. He highlighted that traditional knowledge and practices were not relics of the past, but vital tools for ensuring the long-term resilience of wetlands and the livelihoods they support. The Minister further noted that the MOU institutionalized community participation, strengthened governance arrangements, and aligned national conservation priorities with local realities.
The MOU established a clear framework to regulate traditional fishing and resource use within the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, while maintaining compliance with national environmental legislation. It outlined roles and responsibilities among the parties, recognized traditional fisherfolk, and set conditions to ensure sustainable use, monitoring, and enforcement. The agreement also laid the groundwork for updating the Sanctuary’s Management Plan and advancing its proposed reclassification to Wildlife Sanctuary II, reflecting a more inclusive and participatory conservation model for Crooked Tree Village and its buffer communities.
Community representation featured prominently throughout the ceremony, reinforcing the principle that Crooked Tree Village and its buffer communities were central to the long-term management of the Sanctuary. The signing of the MOU marked a significant milestone in collaborative environmental governance, demonstrating a balanced approach that safeguards biodiversity while honouring cultural heritage and sustaining traditional livelihoods.
The observance concluded with expressions of appreciation to all partners and stakeholders, and with a reaffirmation of Belize’s commitment to protecting its wetlands through cooperation, traditional knowledge, and shared responsibility.
The post World Wetlands Day Celebrated with Historic MOU Signing in Crooked Tree Village appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Press Release In commemoration of World Wetlands Day 2026, national and community partners gathered in Crooked Tree Village on Friday, January 30, 2026, to formalize a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing the traditional use and sustainable management of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. The agreement was executed between the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate
The post World Wetlands Day Celebrated with Historic MOU Signing in Crooked Tree Village appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
