The Belize Nature Conservation Foundation (BNCF), established as part of a ground-breaking agreement to exchange foreign debt for the continued protection of more than 23,000 ACRES* (or SQ MI or SQ KM) of terrestrial forest areas in Belize, Central America is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024.

The BNCF is an independently-governed organization that supports transformative projects executed by registered not-for-profit, community-based organizations that are working within the protected areas covered by the landmark Tropical Forest Conservation Agreement (TFCA).*

Since 2004, the endowment fund managed by the Foundation has provided XX grants worth nearly $1.9 million BZD for diverse projects that include biodiversity research, community engagement, practical training and education initiatives and upgrades to facilities, nature trails and public spaces in often remote locations, among many other successful efforts.

The Foundation’s investments ensure their partner organizations have the means to further their own goals and, by extension, its broader goal of providing ongoing support for protected spaces in the country. Typically, three awards of up to $39,000BZD are granted in each calendar year. 

The massive volume of land preserved by the 2001 Tropical Forest Conservation Agreement (TFCA) is a point of national pride and has served as a catalyst for protecting even more of the country’s natural environment, on land and at sea. It collectively forms the backbone of Belize’s national park system, houses important wildlife corridors, and protects unique environments within communities where people and nature co-exist. The protected areas are eco-tourism hotspots and provide employment to people in remote communities, among many other socio-economic benefits.

The protection of these spaces — currently more than XX% of the country’s land mass — is entrusted to a consortium of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that work with the Government of Belize to co-operatively manage these resources for the public good.

The Belize Nature Conservation Foundation forms a supportive pillar to these entities and is governed by a Board of Directors made up of representatives from the organizations named in the original agreement: Designated members from the Government of Belize, The Nature Conservancy, the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, Programme for Belize, the Belize Audubon Society, and the Protected Areas Conservation Trust. Fund management and monitoring is provided by the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) under an XXX-year agreement that was reaffirmed in 2022.

The Tropical Forest Conservation Agreement (TFCA) was originally signed in August 2001 and resulted from a landmark Debt-for-Nature Swap Agreement between the Government of Belize and the Government of the United States of America. The agreement was brokered by The Nature Conservancy.

Through the Debt-for-Nature-Swap, The Government of the United States of America prepaid and cancelled US $8.58M owed by the Government of Belize to the Government of the USA in exchange for a commitment by the Government of Belize to fund forest conservation.

A portion of the Debt for Nature Swap funds in this agreement were allocated to the Belize Nature Conservation Foundation and responsibly invested until the annual interest income grew to a point where it became available to distribute in 2004.

Since then, the interest income generated covers the funds available to successful applicants, as well as the organization’s modest annual operational costs.