Can Art Help Save Belize’s Protected Areas?

The women who have spent decades protecting Belize’s forests and wildlife are finally stepping into the spotlight, not through policy or protest, but through art.

As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) launched “Rooted and Rising,” an exhibition that pairs three female conservation leaders with three Belizean women artists to celebrate the people behind the country’s environmental successes.

PACT Executive Director Abil Castañeda said the project transforms decades of conservation work into lasting pieces of art.

“We took their life, their careers and their profession in conservation and asked some of our brightest minds in creative arts… What can we do to develop products that commemorate that life, to commemorate that dedication that they have shown over decades?” he said.

Among those honoured was Jessie Young of the Community Baboon Sanctuary’s Women’s Conservation Group. Young said the organisation has helped grow the black howler monkey population from about 800 in 1985 to more than 6,000 today.

“It’s not easy to manage a community-based organisation… but we have managed to persevere,” Young said. “We believe as women we have the strength that it takes to manage anything.”

Meanwhile, artist Zyania Alonzo translated the work of conservationist Maria Garcia into a handcrafted bag inspired by the forest. “I wanted to do something that represents the forest and its intricacy,” Alonzo said.

The exhibition concluded with a pop-up marketplace, where half of every artwork sold will go directly to the participating conservation groups.

Meet the three Belizean artists and entrepreneurs using their creativity to honour the women who have spent decades protecting Belize’s natural heritage in tonight’s 6 o’clock newscast on News 5 Live.