From October 11 to 22, a delegation from the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) visited Guatemala and Belize to assess progress of the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF).
In Guatemala, the delegation visited key areas of the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Petén, including communities such as Paso Caballos, Uaxactún and the Forest Concession of Árbol Verde. Activities included meetings with community leaders, visits to biological stations, biodiversity monitoring, forest restoration efforts, and water resource management initiatives.
The team also met with implementing partners, including the leader of the BLF consortium, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), to discuss the progress of the project and upcoming activities. In Guatemala, the BLF is working in Peten (Mayan Jungle) and Chiquimula (Trifino) to protect biodiversity, reduce poverty and tackle the impacts of climate change with projects in line with Guatemalan environmental priorities until 2029.
In Belize, the UK delegation explored community forest management and binational conservation efforts in the Maya Forest. The agenda included field visits to integrated farms, environmental monitoring sites, and restoration activities, as well as institutional meetings with implementing partners.
This visit helped to strengthen dialogue between UK and local actors, identify opportunities to improve implementation, and reaffirm the UK's commitment to community-led conservation efforts in Mesoamerica. Direct engagement with local authorities, communities and implementing partners is essential to ensure that projects respond to local realities and deliver sustainable impact.
