Belize to Plant One Million Trees

Belize has officially launched the Greening Belize Initiative, a national effort to plant one million trees over the next five years and restore damaged landscapes across the country.

At the ceremony, Prime Minister John Briceño planted a tree to mark the start of the program. “I hope that other people will follow example and then to take this initiative. It’s a very good initiative, and something that’s really needed… that we plant more trees in Belize,” he said.

While Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, called on Belizeans to take action, saying, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” He noted that forests, mangroves, and rivers are central to Belize’s identity and warned, “What we do not protect, we will eventually lose.”

The program, led by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, is supported by international partners including the Global Environment Facility through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

A key part of the initiative is the new Greening Belize app, which allows individuals and organisations to log and track the trees they plant across the country.

Habet said the initiative will only succeed with broad public participation. “No ministry, no programme, and no budget can plant a million trees alone,” he said.

As part of the launch, officials also announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology (BEST) and the Community Baboon Sanctuary. The partnership is backed by a BZ$900,000 microfinancing programme to support community groups, farmers, youth, and small businesses involved in reforestation and eco‑friendly projects.