Belize REDD+ APD II Program - Terra Global Capital

Belize REDD+ APD II Program

Program Details

Location	Orange Walk, Belize
Status	Completed
Stage	Post Investment
Program Area (ha)	8,432
Reductions/Removals (Avg Annual)	255,935 tCO2e
Program Type	REDD+ APD
Blue Carbon/Peatland	–
Market Standard	VCS, CCB
Methodology	VM0007
Program Start	2010
1st Verification	2022

About the Program

The Laguna Seca Forest Carbon Program, protects 8,432 hectares of mature tropical forest in Orange Walk, Belize, from conversion to sugarcane agriculture. By preventing planned deforestation, the Program conserves one of Belize’s most biodiverse ecosystems while generating verified emission reductions and supporting community development.

Initially owned by Gallon Jug Agroindustry Ltd. (GJA), the property was sold to The Forestland Group (TFG), with Forest Carbon Offsets LLC (FCO) and the Conservation Management Institute (CMI) providing technical expertise and carbon accounting. Carbon finance made it possible to halt agricultural expansion, preserving the forest as a long-term carbon sink and biodiversity refuge.

Program Highlights:

Protects 8,432 hectares of tropical forest threatened by agricultural conversion
Prevents emissions of over 255,000 tCO₂e annually under the VCS and CCB standards
Promotes sustainable forest management and FSC certification
Generates social benefits through community scholarships and engagement programs

By maintaining standing forests, the Program delivers long-lasting climate, biodiversity, and social benefits well beyond the crediting period

Community Benefits

The Program contributes directly to community well-being through education, employment, and capacity building, ensuring that local development aligns with conservation goals.

Key Community Outcomes:

Education Support: Funds a community scholarship program to improve access to education and strengthen local capacity
Employment: Creates jobs in patrolling, forest maintenance, and monitoring activities
Training: Builds skills in conservation management, forest monitoring, and biodiversity protection
Community Engagement: Encourages collaboration between local residents, rangers, and conservation partners to foster shared stewardship

These initiatives promote inclusive development and strengthen the link between forest protection and community prosperity.

Biodiversity Benefits

The Program safeguards a key portion of Belize’s Selva Maya, the largest contiguous rainforest in Central America after the Amazon. Without this intervention, the forest would have been cleared for sugarcane, resulting in habitat loss and severe ecological degradation.

Key Biodiversity Outcomes:

Habitat Protection: Conserves critical forest ecosystems that support numerous IUCN-listed species
Connectivity: Maintains corridors linking the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area with other protected landscapes
Ecosystem Stability: Protects riparian forests, prevents soil erosion, and preserves nutrient cycles
Long-Term Conservation: Promotes sustainable management that maintains species diversity and ecosystem resilience

Through the preservation of mature forests, the Program contributes to global biodiversity conservation and regional ecological balance.

Program Partners

The Belize Maya Forest Program is implemented by the Belize Maya Forest Trust (BMFT) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), with Terra Global Capital providing technical and carbon development support. Together, they ensure the long-term conservation, climate integrity, and sustainable management of one of Central America’s most important forest landscapes.

Belize Maya Forest Trust (BMFT): Manages daily operations, forest protection, and community engagement, ensuring sustainable management and equitable benefit sharing
The Nature Conservancy (TNC): Provides strategic oversight, conservation expertise, and financial support for biodiversity protection and long-term forest resilience
Terra Global: Provides technical expertise in greenhouse gas quantification, monitoring, reporting, and verification for carbon asset development under market standards

Belize REDD+ APD II Program

Program Documents

Project Description – TGC-01590 Belize – TNC – Laguna Seca 1326 – REDD+

Monitoring Report 1 – TGC-01590 Belize – TNC – Laguna Seca 1326 – REDD+

Monitoring Report 2 – TGC-01590 Belize – TNC – Laguna Seca 1326 – REDD+

Belize REDD+ APD II Program

Program Activities

Surveillance/Patrolling

The surveillance and patrolling activities involve regular patrols throughout the reserve to monitor and prevent illegal activities such as logging and poaching. Data and evidence of any detected illegal activities are documented using the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART).

Fire Management and Response

Training sessions are conducted for rangers and community stakeholders to enhance their skills in managing forest fires. These trainings include the use of risk monitoring tools and the development of standard operating procedures for fire intervention.

Forest Restoration

Training sessions are held on forest restoration, covering advanced techniques including regenerative agriculture practices to enhance ecosystem health and rehabilitate degraded areas. These sessions are designed to teach local communities effective methods for soil restoration and reforestation of affected areas. Additionally, pilot programs for regenerative agriculture are implemented within the communities.

Community Outreach and Livelihoods

Awareness and outreach materials are developed to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and available opportunities for the community. Skills programs are designed to train community members in various competencies that can enhance their livelihoods, while organized events promote community engagement and environmental education. Scholarships and microgrants are also provided to support local development.

Monitoring

Information and data on climate, biodiversity, and key community indicators are collected to assess the impact and effectiveness of the program’s activities.