This is a demo store. No orders will be fulfilled.
Prior to the project, the area was used for timber and was being converted into a banana plantation. The practice of converting land to industrial agriculture is commonplace in the region. If this was the case, it's likely that chemical fertilisers, insecticides, and herbicides would be used. Since the project area forms part of the local water board district for both Indian Creek Village and Golden Stream Village, these could contaminate the local water supply and create health risks.
Located in the Toledo District in Southern Belize, the aim is to develop the project area as a carbon sink by conserving and protecting the forest in order to maximise carbon sequestration. By preventing deforestation, controlling access to the site (an informal right-of-way has been established for the communities to cross the project area to access the local market) and regularly patrolling the area, the project minimises disturbance to the natural habitat. This protects native wildlife and develops the area for eco-tourism, which will be run by a local contractor.
As well as carbon sequestration and the multitude of environmental benefits, the project actively contributes to local sustainable economic development. Working closely with the three local communities, Indian Creek Village, Golden Stream Village, and Pine Hill Mennonite Community, the project creates jobs, builds the private sector and develops their non-rural skills in business management, such as labour allocation, planning, payroll, supplies and regulation compliance. The project is committed to sustained development and environmental protection and runs a high school scholarship programme, to support the next generation.
To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals verified by the standard for this project, please check the registry link.
