Mangrove Challenge 2025 Invites Developers to Help Protect Coastlines

Belize’s Mangrove-Friendly Development Challenge is about proving that development and conservation can go hand in hand. Earlier this week, we reported on the launch of the 2025 competition organized by the World Wildlife Fund. The Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge which started in 2009, is a national competition that highlights how businesses, communities, and developers can build in harmony with these ecosystems rather than against them. Tonight, we hear from a past winner and a member of this year’s judging panel.

 

Zenida Lanza, Reporting

In Belize, mangroves have long been cleared to make way for coastal development. But the World Wildlife Fund’s challenge is showing that it’s possible to build while keeping these ecosystems intact. Last year’s winner was the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association. Executive Director Valdemar Andrade says mangrove conservation protects jobs, communities, and coastlines, and he shared what winning the challenge meant for them.

 

Valdemar Andrade, Executive Director, TASA

“It has highlighted the importance of one marine space, the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve, and how that work is important, and now we are going on to leveraging Blue Carbon, not only because of this, but it helps us to get social media notice out there. So, we get this out to see it’s, you know, it’s good that our work is recognized in a beneficial way, so that people can understand that we’re not only doing this for the aesthetic or romantic value of it, but there’s a functional economic value. We’ve seen many different designs from the private sector, so we encourage them to join or become eligible for the prizes here and get the recognition for the work that you’re doing. It helps you with the marketing at the end of the day.”

 

One of this year’s representative judges, Minerva Gonzalez, from the Forest Department, says mangrove work must follow the proper rules as she invites private landowners to step up and join the challenge.

 

Minerva Gonzalez, Forest Officer, Forest Department

“If any clearance is needed, then they are to carry out the application process with the Forest Department, either for selective trimming or alteration of mangrove forests. So, the Forest Department, as a mandated agency for the management of mangrove ecosystems through either restoration, protection, and conservation, we encourage people to follow and abide by the regulations that allow the proper management of our mangrove forests. And not only is it because we want people to follow the regulations, but also we receive a lot of ecosystem services and benefits from our mangrove ecosystems. Right now, the government is fully on board with our blue bonds, and a part of our blue bonds is to carry out specific conservation activities and actions that allow our mangrove ecosystems to be managed properly.”

 

Coastal development has put Belize’s mangroves at risk, but building responsibly is possible. WWF’s Nadia Bood says now it’s your chance to join the challenge and show how development can protect these vital ecosystems.

 

Nadia Bood, Senior Program Officer, WWF Mesoamerica

“We are reaching out to realtors, we are reaching out to local communities, diverse groups to encourage them to apply, and then if you know someone, you could share the information with them. But the idea is that this could help to create a wave of change so that people can change their thinking about mangroves to a more positive light. I think it’s a drop in the bucket. I know there’s a lot of pressure coming in, but at the same time, we want to be able to celebrate and highlight those who are doing the right thing so that others can probably be influenced to do the right thing as well.”

 

The Mangrove-Friendly Development Challenge is open, and WWF is encouraging everyone to take part in protecting Belize’s coastlines. Currently, applications are open until November fourteenth. Reporting for News Five, I’m Zenida Lanza.