Environmental policy and administrative management

The goal of the project is to promote Landscape Management in the Vaca Forest Reserve through community development and support by strengthening an apiculture local based activity inside and near the reserve; building the capacity of the Friends of the Vaca Forest Reserve and promoting an improved farming technology among farmers. More specifically the project will aim to a) rehabilitate degraded lands in the Vaca Forest Reserve; b) reduce the rate of land degradation through good agricultural practices and apiculture; c) improve the local economy among fifteen farmers; and d) promote landscape management in the Vaca Forest Reserve. By the end of the project the following outputs are anticipated: 1. Establishment of 1 nursery with 5,000 mahogany and cedar trees; 2. Restoration of over 15 areas of farmlands denuded in the Vaca Forest Reserve; 3. Reduce the expansion of the agricultural frontier inside the Vaca Forest Reserve; 4. Implement and support farm planning among 10 farmers; 5. Expand the capacity for 15 bee-keepers in the reserve to produce more honey; 6. Organize and strengthen the Friends of the Vaca Forest Reserve This project addresses the GEF strategy designed to prevent land degradation through promoting activities in Sustainable Land Management. Piloting a different approach, building capacity and creation of viable green livelihood options in local communities are directly in line with the GEF SGP strategic guiding principles and programme priorities. The project fits the GEF SGP Country Programme Strategy under the LAND DEGRADATION Focal Area and Immediate Objectives 6 and 7: Improve flow of agro-ecosystem and forest ecosystem services to sustain livelihoods of local communities , and reduce pressures at community level from competing land uses (in the wider landscapes) as well as the Capacity Development objective of Enhance and strengthen capabilities of Civil Society Organizations . . The project would be aimed at Outcomes 6.1 and 7.1, namely, to improve community-level actions and practices, and reduce negative impacts on agro-, and forest ecosystems and ecosystem services demonstrated to sustain ecosystem functionality ; and improved community-level actions and practices, and reduced negative impacts in land use frontiers of agro-ecosystems and forest ecosystems .

Belize