Residents Paint Mural to Promote Placencia Lagoon Conservation

Residents of Independence Village have unveiled a community mural celebrating the Placencia Lagoon and highlighting its importance to local livelihoods as part of a new conservation awareness campaign led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The mural marks the launch of WWF’s Placencia Lagoon communications campaign, which aims to strengthen community support for protecting the lagoon. Similar murals are also planned for Placencia and Stann Creek to reflect the history, culture and livelihoods tied to the waterway.

According to Marine Conservation Officer Abigail Parham Garbutt, the artwork captures residents’ memories and experiences while emphasising the lagoon’s role in sustaining local communities.

The initiative forms part of the Reef Guard Project: Sustaining Life and Livelihoods, which seeks to improve the management of four marine protected areas while encouraging conservation of the Placencia Lagoon through community involvement.

More than 20 residents, including children and conservation advocates, participated in painting the mural. Artist Anton Leslie said the design features the lagoon’s mangrove habitat, manatees, local transportation and childhood memories, reflecting the community’s deep connection to the area.

Organisers say the mural is intended to inspire greater community participation in conservation efforts and reinforce the message that protecting the Placencia Lagoon begins with the people who rely on it every day.

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