Case Summary - Derric Chan

Although we have heard a lot of talk about sustaining Belize through different methods of preserving the natural resources, there have been only a few examples so far of organizations that put those words into action. Friends for Conservation and Development, presented by Derrric Chan, is a business that makes it their goal to manage and protect the natural resources in Belize. They aim to “Protect the forest that protects us” and their main focus is on the Chiquibul Forest and its three components: the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, the Chiquibul National Forest, and the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. This part of Belize is extremely important because of the diversity it harbors, the ecosystems it touches and the natural resources it provides to communities. The Chiquibul Forest supplies many communities with water, even cities like Belmopan and Belize City. Belize is second in Central America with the amount of clean, usable water it contains and this is the way it needs to stay to sustain the people for years to come.

With all of the products that can be harvested from the Chiquibul Forest, there are many challenges to preserve it. This is where Friends for Conservation and Development steps in to help. They fight against challenges that harm the well being of the forest and that includes incursion by Guatemala, fires, logging, looting, hunting, and poaching. All of these come with their own unique set of problems and solutions to keep the people from invading the forest, illegally taking the natural resources, and leaving the forest in a worse state than it was before they arrived. Friends for Conservation and Development works by sending out men to patrol areas of the forest to find illegal poacher or loggers and bring them to justice by detaining them. They try to work alongside the government of both Belize and Guatemala to stop the increasing human footprint by sending out as many guards as possible to protect the land.

Although the conservation of the land and resources is key, Friends for Conservation and Development have realized that development is the next piece of the puzzle. They work with the communities and researchers to develop a management plan so the families can live off of the resources without leaving a footprint that would negatively impact the forest. This organization is looking for ways to improve the lives of Belizean people through looking at the positive long-term effects of protecting and conserving the resources of the forest. Friends for Conservation and Development is using their skills, knowledge and finances to preserve the gift of nature for future generations. That is truly what sustainability is all about.