National Landscape Restoration Strategy for Belize (2022-2030)

National Landscape Restoration Strategy for Belize 2022-2030 National Landscape Restoration Strategy for Belize 2022-2030 National Landscape Restoration Strategy for Belize. Forest Department, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management (MSDCCRM) Content and revision: This document was drafted in a participatory manner and led by the Forest Department of the MSDCCRM and facilitated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). All rights reserved. © Marketing prohibited. This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational or non-commercial purposes, recognizing the rights of the Forest Department of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management (MSDC CRM),The participatory process to obtain the technical inputs through the Restoration Opportunity Assessment Methodology (ROAM) and the deve lopment of this document have been made possible thanks to the financial support received by the Selva Maya Natural Resources Protection Project co-financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW, for its acronym in German) and implemented by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); the Ecosystems and Landscape Restoration Green Development Fund for SICA Region (CCAD-UE-BMU) implemented by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ, for its acronym in German); and the Integrated Ridge to Reef Management of the Mesoamerican Reef Ecoregion (MAR2R) (GEF-WWF-CCAD). This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) of the Federal Republic of Germany within the framework of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ, CCAD and IUCN and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the German Federal Government. The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Federal Republic of Germany, BMU, BMZ, KfW, CCAD, GIZ or IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Federal Republic of Germany, BMU, BMZ, KfW, CCAD, GIZ or IUCN. Citation: FD-MSDCCRM, (2022). National Landscape Restoration Strategy for Belize 2022-2030. Cover photography: © Belize Forest Department. Technical facilitation of the documnet: Osmany Salas, Ki'ila Salas and Melinka Nájera. Technical reviewer: Minerva Gonzalez, Milena Berrocal, Tanian Ammour, Wilber Sabido and Yanira Pop. Diagrammed by: Teresa Gómez Lugo. Available at: Forest Department, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management Forest Drive, Belmopan, Belize Tel.: (501) 822 1524 • Fax: (501) 822 1523 info@forest.gov.bz • http://forest.gov.bz iii Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................. 1 Foreword ............................................................................................................... 5 The Need for a National Landscape Restoration Strategy .................................... 7 Executive Summary............................................................................................... 9 1. Background ..................................................................................................... 13 1.1. Belize’s Bonn Challenge Commitment ..................................................... 13 1.2. Mapping of policies, programs and projects, laws and regulations .......... 14 1.2.1. Laws & Regulations ........................................................................... 14 1.2.2. National Policies & Strategies ............................................................ 16 1.2.3. International Agreements ................................................................... 22 1.2.4. On going National & Regional Projects ............................................. 23 1.2.5. Completed national & Regional Projects ........................................... 25 1.2.6. Projects under design/negotiation ...................................................... 25 2. The Planning Context – the External Environment ......................................... 27 2.1. Political Factors ........................................................................................ 27 2.2. Economic Factors .................................................................................... 29 2.3. Socio-Cultural Factors .............................................................................. 30 2.4. Technological factors ................................................................................ 32 2.5. Environmental factors .............................................................................. 34 2.6. Legal factors ............................................................................................. 36 3. Summary of the ROAM process and results ................................................... 39 Table of contents iv 4. Assessing the current status of the landscape restoration process in Belize .................................................................................................... 47 4.1. Strengths .................................................................................................. 47 4.2. Weaknesses ............................................................................................. 48 4.3. Opportunities ............................................................................................ 50 4.4. Threats/Challenges .................................................................................. 52 5. Vision, Mission and Key Result Areas ............................................................. 53 6. Strategic Objectives and Actions ..................................................................... 57 6.1. Enabling Environment (policies/legislation) .............................................. 57 6.2. Human Well-being and Local Livelihoods ................................................ 58 6.3. Forest and Agro-Landscape Restoration ................................................. 58 6.4. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services ...................................................... 59 6.5. Resource Mobilization and Capacity Building .......................................... 60 7. NLRS Implementation Schedule (2021-2030) ................................................ 63 References .......................................................................................................... 68 Annex 1: Belize national pledge letter ................................................................. 70 Annex 2: Persons Interviewed for PESTEL Analysis ........................................... 72 Annex 3: Participants of the process ................................................................... 72 Annex 4: Restoration Actions for Agro- and Forest Landscapes ......................... 76 Annex 5: The Planning Process .......................................................................... 77 Annex 6: SWOT Analysis Results ....................................................................... 79 Annex 7: Results Framework .............................................................................. 84 Annex 8: List of Stakeholders Consulted for Development of the NLRS ............ 96 Lists of figures and tables Figure 1. FLR opportunity areas within forests and agro landscapes .............. 43 Figure 2. Priority areas within forests and agro landscapes ............................ 46 List of Figures v Table 1: Areas of opportunity for restoration in the landscape of Belize in hectares ........................................................................................ 41 Table 2. Restoration actions in the agricultural and forest landscape ............ 42 Table 3. Opportunity and Priority areas in hectares within forests and agro landscape areas ................................................................................ 45 Table 4. Total area of Opportunity Areas and Priority Areas ........................... 45 List of Tables Figure 3. Philosophical Framework for the NLRS for Belize and the KRAs ..... 54 Figure 4 National Landscape Restoration Strategy Roadmap ........................ 55 Figure 5. Member organizations and sectors represented in the National Restoration Round Table .................................................................. 73 Figure 6. Member organizations and sectors represented in the Gender and Restoration Committee ..................................................................... 74 1 Acronyms and Abbreviations BAHA Belize Agricultural Health Authority BAU Business as usual BIOFIN Biodiversity Finance Initiative BLPA Belize Livestock Producers Association BNN Belize Network of NGOs CAP Chapter CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CCJ Caribbean Court of Justice CFO Chief Forest Officer CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture CMCC Chiquibul-Mountain Pine Ridge-Caracol Complex CSFI Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative CZMAI Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute DOE Department of Environment DTGR Debt to GDP ratio EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMF Environmental Management Fund FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FCD Friends for Conservation and Development FFI Flora and Fauna International FLR Forest landscape restoration FPIC Free and prior informed consent FSC Forest Stewardship Council GDP Gross Domestic Product 2 GEF Global Environment Facility GHG Greenhouse gas GOB Government of Belize GSDS Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy GSW Golden Stream Watershed GWC Global Wildlife Conservation GWP Global Wildlife Program ha Hectare IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development INDC Intended National Determined Contribution IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature KRA Key Result Area LAC Latin America and the Caribbean LDN Land Degradation Neutrality LiDAR Light Detection and Ranging LPA Livestock producer association LPG Liquefied petroleum gas MFC Maya Forest Corridor MSDCCDRM Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management NAFP National Accreditation Focal Point NAP National Adaptation Plan NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NCCPSAP National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan NEPS National Environmental Policy and Strategy NGO Non-governmental organization NLRS National Landscape Restoration Strategy NPAS National Protected Areas System NPV Net Present Value NSTMP National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan NTFP Non-timber forest products PCB Pesticides Control Board PESTEL Political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, environmental, legal REDD+ Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation 3 ROAM Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology RWA Rapid watershed assessments SIB Statistical Institute of Belize SIMIS Sugar Industry Management Information System SWOT Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats TBD To be determined TOR Terms of Reference UB-ERI University of Belize’s Environmental Research Institute UN United Nations UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change USD United States Dollar WRI World Resources Institute 5 Foreword The formulation of a National Landscape Restoration Strategy for Belize is one step forward towards the fulfilment of international commitments we have made as a country. It supports the implementation of restoration actions within the National Determined Contributions, by implementing actions to limit the global temperature increase and meeting Sustainable Development Goals #2 Zero Hunger, #13 Climate Action, #14 Life Below Water, and #15 Life on Land. This strategy is guiding restoration actions in this UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration through an integrated approach, encompassing the agro-productive sector, coastal and riparian areas, and the variety of our forest types in country. It is also streamlined with this Governments’ 2020-2025 manifesto, where we have pledged to promote an aggressive reforestation programme, to facilitate sustainable rural logging by communities, to create jobs and reduce poverty with environmental sustainability, and to establish and support community-based organizations to promote value-adding to our exotic forestry products. We also give recognition to the need for reducing uncontrolled land-clearing and enforce sustainable land use policies, to build resilience to climate change disasters and risks through education, preparation, diversification, and innovative climate-smart systems of land use, in particular for the small producers and farmers in high-risk areas. Belize's national effort adds to the regional actions of its counterpart countries in CCAD, who have been the primary promoters in the declaration of the United Nations Decade of Restoration. Through the national-regional process, Belize has promoted restoration with a ridge-to-reef approach, considering national circumstances to obtain optimum benefits from restoration, and simultaneously providing an opportunistic window for the Caribbean to stimulate investment and financing. 6 It is with this that I endorse the National Landscape Restoration Strategy 2022-2030 through a forest landscape restoration approach, to ensure that ecological functionality is restored, and all the services provided by nature are enjoyed by the citizens of Belize. Hon. Orlando Habet Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management 7 The Need for a National Landscape Restoration Strategy Landscape restoration is a strategy to recover and preserve the ecological integrity of the mosaic of ecosystems while also generating economic and social benefits in both rural and urban areas, by ensuring food and water security, energy, pollination, control of erosion and sedimentation, and disaster risk reduction, given the increasing impacts of climate change and on the provision of goods and of the ecosystem. A growing movement at local, national, regional, and global level recognizes the need for investing in the restoration of ecosystems – including agroecosystems – using a landscape approach. In 2011, the Government of Germany and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) launched the Bonn Challenge, with the aim to restore 250 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes by 2030. To date, 61 countries, 8 states and 5 associations have made 74 pledges totalling more than 210 million hectares. The Bonn Challenge also contributes to the United Nation Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), which has been strongly promoted by Latin America. The recent launching of the IUCN Nature-Based – Recovery Initiative stated, "the time to invest in nature, is now," considering the pandemic, the climate, the economic and the social crises. Restoration is one of the nature-based solutions that countries in our region are prioritising to address critical societal challenges. For more than six years, the IUCN Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean has supported the region’s countries, working hand in hand with national authorities, civil society and particularly our Membership, to design restoration strategies and options, by providing scientific and technical information so that nations can make informed decisions about their investments in landscape restoration. 8 IUCN in cooperation with GIZ and the Central American Commission on Environment and Development supported the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management and its Forest Department, and national actors. Today, Belize is a pioneer in defining its restoration ambition based on information, criteria, and financial and economic analyses to uphold the nation’s official pledge of 130,000 ha to the Bonn Challenge in July 2021. The National Landscape Restoration Strategy of Belize calls for intersectoral and comprehensive actions toward a green and blue economy, with a roadmap to guide productive conservation practices for different land uses, investments and enabling frameworks adhering to national priorities. We are confident that this analysis will strengthen the important restoration efforts and decision making Belize is implementing to improve the quality of life of its population, and the health of its ecosystems and landscapes, while simultaneously addressing the urgent need for economic and social recovery with equity. Ursula Parrilla Regional Director IUCN Regional Office for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean 9 Executive Summary The Bonn Challenge was launched by the Government of Germany and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2011 with a goal to restore 150 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes by 2020. During the 2014 United Nations (UN) Climate Summit, the New York Declaration of Forests endorsed and extended the challenge to restoring 350 million hectares by 2030. The Bonn Challenge seeks to restore ecological functionality of degraded and deforested landscapes while enhancing the well-being of people that co-exist with these environments. It was designed as a strategy to contribute to the implementation of national priorities such as food and water security, rural development, climate change resilience, and other social and economic challenges. The Bonn Challenge also seeks to facilitate the fulfilment of international commitments, particularly the pursuit of the objectives enshrined in the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and Aichi Target 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, along with other instruments to combat land degradation. Furthermore, the Challenge contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Belize utilized the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM), which was developed by IUCN and the World Resources Institute (WRI), to identify and analyse degraded and deforested areas that are suitable for Functional Landscape Restoration (FLR). The ROAM process also aided in identifying the priority areas that will be committed for restoration under the Bonn Challenge pledge. Subsequently, in 2019, Belize prioritized 130,000 hectares to be restored between 2020 and 2030. This target includes 50,000 hectares dedicated for forest restoration and 80,000 hectares for agro landscape regeneration. It is expected that this target will become the Bonn Challenge pledge amount to be restored by 2030. This National Landscape Restoration Strategy (NLRS) sets out the Vision, Mission, Key Result Areas, Strategic Objectives and Actions that are necessary to ensure that Belize meets or surpasses its Bonn Challenge pledge to restore 130,000 hectares of prioritized forest and agricultural landscapes by 2030. The NLRS is based on the results of a series of studies, 10 and participatory assessment based on criteria defined by national stakeholders, as well as planning workshops that were held between March and April 2021. Workshop participants included selected members of the National Restoration Round Table, Restoration Gender Working Group, and IUCN, who facilitated the process. The Vision for the National Landscape Restoration Strategy (NLRS) is as follows: “Human well-being, local livelihoods, biodiversity and ecosystem services are improved via the regeneration and restoration of at least 130,000 hectares of Belize’s degraded soils, forests, and agricultural landscapes.” This following Mission is the focus of the NLRS over the medium-term (that is, between now and 2030): “Conduct forest and agricultural landscape restoration initiatives within priority areas, via the creation of the enabling environment (policies/laws), local collaboration and broad partnerships, sharing lessons learnt and experiences, and mobilizing resources, for the benefit of all Belizeans, but with a particular focus on building the capacity of farmers, rural and indigenous people, and relevant institutions.” Five Key Result Areas (KRAs) were identified: 1) Enabling Environment, 2) Human Well Being and Local Livelihoods, 3) Forest and Agro Landscape Restoration, 4) Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, and 5) Resource Mobilization and Capacity Building. These KRAs are critical success factors where strong positive results must be realized for the NLRS Mission to be achieved, and therefore, move toward realizing the NLRS Vision. Nine strategic objectives were defined spelling out a set of feasible strategy alternatives to positively impact the Key Result Areas. These objectives are as follows: 1. By 2030, conduct a comprehensive review of pertinent laws related to landscape restoration with a view to strengthening legislation and regulations and synergies among laws. 2. Communities, Indigenous People, and organized producers improve local livelihoods and their well-being within prioritized agro landscapes by 2030. 3. Sustainable Forest Management in prioritized broadleaved forests is strengthened via reforestation and assisted regeneration by 2030. 4. Sustainable regenerative agricultural practices/systems are implemented in prioritized agro landscapes (excluding pastures) by 2030. 11 5. Silvopastoral systems are being implemented in prioritized pastures and livestock areas (land used for livestock only) by 2030. 6. By 2030, develop and implement watershed management plans in order to restore and protect Belize’s watersheds and riparian forests within priority areas. 7. By 2030, develop and implement a national public awareness and education strategy that focuses on promoting healthy, productive, and restored forests and agro landscapes, and educating Belizeans on the pertinent laws and incentives related to landscape restoration. 8. By 2030, national landscape restoration funding mechanisms are in place to support forest and agro landscape (including silvopastures) restoration through public, private and public–private partnership initiatives. 9. By 2030, sustainable regenerative agricultural practices have become the norm in each district thereby strengthening food sovereignty. The National Landscape Restoration Strategy is set out in seven sections and seven annexes. Section 1 presents a Background/Introduction that includes information about Belize’s Bonn Challenge pledge; as well as a summary of policies, programs and projects, laws and regulations pertaining to landscape restoration in Belize. Section 2 discusses the planning context, including information about the external factors that can influence landscape restoration. Section 3 presents a summary of the ROAM process and results for Belize. Section 4 summarizes the results of a SWOT analysis that was conducted to assess the current status of landscape restoration in Belize. Section 5 lists the NLRS Vision, Mission and Key Result Areas, while Section 6 lists the NLRS Strategic Objectives and associated strategies/actions. These strategic objectives and their associated strategies were incorporated into the NLRS with appropriate responsibilities and time frames assigned – the NLRS Implementation Schedule (2021-2030) in Section 7. The eight annexes provide: 1) the list of cited documents throughout the NLRS, 2) Persons Interviewed to carry out the Political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, environmental, legal analysis(PESTEL); 3) Participants of the process; 4) Restoration Actions for Agro- and Forest Landscapes; 5) The Planning Process; 6) the SWOT Analysis Results; 7) the NLRS Results Framework; and 8) List of Stakeholders Consulted for Development of the NLRS. 13 1. Background 1.1. Belize’s Bonn Challenge Commitment The Bonn Challenge was launched by the Government of Germany and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2011 with a goal to restore 150 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes by 2020. During the 2014 United Nations (UN) Climate Summit, the New York Declaration of Forests endorsed and extended the challenge to restoring 350 million hectares by 2030. The 2020 goal of restoring 150 million hectares was expanded in 2017, with the 2030 goal on its way to being accomplished. The Bonn Challenge seeks to restore degraded landscapes adapting the forest landscape restoration (FLR) concept in order to restore ecological functionality of degraded and deforested landscapes while enhancing the well-being of people, that depend on the services provided by the ecosystems. The Bonn Challenge is a strategy that the countries are using to achieve national green and blue development according to their specific priorities, such as water and food security, rural development, combatting desertification and climate change effects, to tackle on disaster risk reduction, and protecting ecosystem services and biodiversity among others (IUCN, n.d.). By 2020, 74 governments, private associations, and companies, all within 61 countries, had pledged over 210 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes as part of the Bonn Challenge. Belize announced its national restoration commitment at the Bonn Challenge meeting in June 2019 in Cuba, but it was not until the 'event for Latin America and the Caribbean' in July 2021, that Belize announced its formal pledge to the Bonn Challenge. The formal pledge was based on results from the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) which began in 2019. The ROAM tool developed by the IUCN and the World Resources Institute (WRI), provides an affordable framework that rapidly identifies and analyses areas suitable for FLR at the national or sub-national level (IUCN and WRI, 2014). Through the ROAM and other studies conducted by IUCN and the Belize Forest Department of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management 14 of Belize (see Section 2.2), opportunity areas for restoration were identified within forest landscapes and agro landscapes, from areas that have been degraded or deforested. A total of 382,592.58 hectares of opportunity areas were then prioritized and identified based on criteria that improve livelihoods and ecological services. As a result of this exercise, Belize has prioritized 130,000 hectares of the national landscape to be restored between 2020-2030, and announced its pledge to the Bonn Challenge during the BC Event for Latin America and the Caribbean in July 2021 (see Annex 1). This target includes 50,000 hectares dedicated for forest restoration (44,000 hectares in forest areas inside and outside protected areas, as well as the restoration of 6,000 hectares of degraded and deforested riparian forests) and 80,000 hectares for agro landscape regeneration. 1.2. Mapping of policies, programmes, and projects, laws, and regulations Belize has several laws and regulations, national policies and strategies, projects, and international agreements that may have an effect, on landscape restoration. The information in this Section was compiled, analysed and summarized to highlight the available information that pertains to or may guide landscape restoration actions. This compilation has facilitated and informed the development of this National Landscape Restoration Strategy (NLRS). The information helped to inform the development of strategies and opportunities for landscape restoration. 1.2.1. Laws & Regulations Most of the laws and regulations listed in this Section are related to the Ministries or the authorities responsible for various licenses and activities related to natural resources use. Although most of these laws are designed for the protection of natural resources, few sections within the substantive laws address landscape restoration concerns. The most important laws and regulations that inform landscape restoration are: a) Private Forests (Conservation) Act, CAP 217 During the clearance of land for agriculture, a tree felling permit is not required unless the tree girth is over two feet measured at one foot above the buttress. b) Forest Act [including Forest Rules and Forest (Protection of Mangroves) Regulations, 2018], CAP 213 A license must be obtained to cut, burn, girdle or injure any tree and collect or use any forest product within a forest reserve, national or private land. Different timber harvest licenses are 15 issued depending on the extensity and value of the product. Additionally, a license cannot be issued for livestock grazing on areas larger than 500 acres and for cultivation on areas larger than 100 acres within forest reserves. Within mangroves forests, a permit is required before alteration by removal or cutting of mangroves. Altered mangroves should be offset by the restoration or planting of new mangroves within adjacent areas, two times the amount of mangrove that was cleared; and a bond sufficient to ensure the successful completion of the restoration activities with eighty percent survival rate after a minimum one year since planting. c) Land Tax Act, CAP 58 Every year, land tax on declared unimproved value of land is to be raised, collected, and paid. Such land taxes can be amended by the Minister. In the case of speculation tax, 5% of the unimproved value of the land is calculated as the tax rate. If agricultural land exceeds 300 acres, speculation tax is to be raised, collected, and paid annually. The speculation tax does not apply if at least 30% of the land is used for agriculture or production; if the land is being used for eco-tourism; or if national lands are being leased. The Minister has the authority to cancel or exempt land tax for a period of time. d) National Lands Act, CAP 191 National lands may be leased. Any person who applies to lease 500 acres (202.34 hectares) or more of land is required to conduct an environmental impact assessment. However, the Government of Belize has the right to extract any natural resources from leased land for public purposes. Leased national land on steep or uneven terrain should not be utilized due to the risk of erosion. A 66 feet buffer should also be left intact and in its natural state along running or open water within leased national land. e) Land Utilization Act, CAP 188 The Minister has the authority to make regulations to demarcate watersheds and water catchment areas for the prohibition of vegetation clearing; to develop measures that will prevent soil erosion; and to guide the clearing of forests or felling of trees. f) Registered Land Act, CAP 194 Leased agricultural land should be managed in accordance with good husbandry practices (related to crop and livestock). Such land should be relinquished at the end of the lease term. 16 g) Environmental Protection Act, CAP 328 The environment should be protected from any activity that exploits the natural resources and that would cause harm or pollution. For agricultural activities, the chemicals and biologicals introduced into the soil should not disturb the natural equilibrium that would harm the soil, water, or the flora and fauna. Activities with a larger degree of impact to the environment such as conversion of land greater than 300 acres (121.41 hectares), mangroves clearing greater than 10 acres (4.05 hectares), and commercial scale aquaculture within wetlands and floodplains require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). “Lower impact” activities may require an EIA or a limited level environmental study. Such activities include land conversion on hill forest; land conversion between 100 (40.47 hectares) and 300 acres (121.41 hectares); mangrove conversion for agriculture; cultivation of citrus, bananas, sugar cane and vegetables on land greater than 200 acres (80.94 hectares); and cultivation of high agrochemical demanding agricultural products if the plot is greater than 50 acres (20.23 hectares) or near sensitive water resources. h) Water Industry Act/ National Integrated Water Resource Act, CAP 222(:01) Watersheds and water catchment areas should be retained as forest reserves or national parks or declared a control area. Deforestation or livestock presence should not threaten the storage capacity or sanitation of the catchment area; otherwise, “appropriate action”¹ must be taken by the Ministry responsible for forestry or the Ministry of Health under the Forests Act (CAP 213) and National Protected Areas System Act 215 (No. 17 of 2015); and the Public Health Act (CAP 40), respectively. Water supply must be potable or satisfactory for agricultural purposes. If the discharge of waste from agricultural industries is in accordance with “good practices”² determined by the Minister of Agriculture, a permit is not required for waste disposal. If effluent discharge from the good agricultural practices is polluting and causing harm, a notice will be given to prevent and stop the activities causing the pollution. A license is not required to abstract and use water if it is to be used for agricultural purposes, but this does not include flood irrigation activities. The National Integrated Water Resource Authority prescribes parameters for agricultural use of water. 1.2.2. National Policies & Strategies Several national policies and strategies have been developed for Belize, especially pertaining to the environment, conservation and the sustainable development of communities and livelihoods. Few policies and strategies directly correspond to landscape restoration, but most 1 “Appropriate action” is not defined in the laws mentioned. 2 “Good practices” is not defined in the laws mentioned. 17 create a path for its incorporation. The following are key policies and strategies that relate or inform landscape restoration in Belize: a) Horizon 2030 - National Development Framework of Belize, 2010 Horizon 2030 embodies the core values that are to guide citizen behaviour and inform the strategies to achieve the common vision for the future: "By the year 2030, Belize is a country of peace and tranquillity, where citizens live in harmony with the natural environment and enjoy a high quality of life. Belizeans are an energetic, resourceful and independent people looking after their own development in a sustainable way". One of the strategies to achieve Environment and Sustainable Development Goals, is to incorporate environmental sustainability into development planning and strengthen Protected Areas Management. Restoration before, during and after a disaster is one of the actions to implement the National Disaster Management Strategy that ensures family protection. b) National Climate Resilience Investment Plan [NCRIP], 2013 The NCRIP embodies a transformational process, one that seeks to fully integrate climate change adaptation, climate variability and comprehensive disaster management into national development planning processes and actions. The component related to the Non-Physical Infrastructure, aims to increase resilience in agricultural & forestry practices and trials by: • Increasing the capacity of the forest rehabilitation program of degraded slopes through restoration efforts. and • Promoting agriculture best practices to women and men in rural Belize. c) National Environmental Policy and Strategy (NEPS), 2014 The NEPS (2014-2020) to be used as a tool for resource mobilization, development and guidance in improving the Department of Environment’s (DOE) mandate. The strategy highlights the development an integrated policy framework for Belize that would aid in combatting the decline of forest cover. A new forest policy was recommended to address and incorporate actions that involve sustainably managing ecosystems through preservation, maintenance, sustainable use, and restoration programmes. The NEPS also sets a target for the reduction of deforestation rate of mangroves, seagrass, and littoral forests, by at least 30% by 2024. 18 d) National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan, 2014 This policy, strategy and action plan ensures the adaptation and mitigation of climate change in relation to the national sustainable development of Belize from 2015-2020. One of the main strategic goals is the development of climate resilient cropping/livestock agricultural systems. The Strategy includes actions such as implementing soil fertility and soil-water management, as well as promoting drought resistant crop techniques or climate smart agriculture. A main strategic goal is the conservation, utilization, and sustainable use of the forest resources to combat climate change and limit Green House Gas emissions resulting from deforestation and forest degradation. Actions to develop this goal include the establishment of the REDD+ strategy, and the development of the National Forest Reference Emission Level and/or Forest Reference Level. The last strategic goal related to landscape restoration is the protection and restoration of forest ecosystems and building the resiliency of water catchment areas. The actions related to this goal include the development of water conservation management systems that protect and restore ecosystems, and the adoption of forest management plans that prevent and control soil erosion. e) National Agriculture and Food Policy of Belize, 2015 The National Agriculture and Food Policy was developed to encourage production, productivity, and investment between 2015 and 2030. One of the five pillars that aid in the policy’s goals, and is the most pertinent to landscape restoration, is the Sustainable Agriculture and Risk Management pillar. This focuses on climate change adaptation by conserving natural resources via agrobiodiversity and sustainable land management. The strategic objective of the goal includes the development of agro-ecological conditions in crops; improving agricultural resilience to climate change; improving land and water governance; and supporting women and the youth in the agriculture sector. The Agriculture and Food Sector have limited policies and enforcement regulations that prevent land speculation, and there is not enough zoned land suitable for agriculture. Additionally, there are poor drainage and irrigation systems, which is an issue addressed as a target to implement better systems in the Sustainable Production, Productivity and Competitiveness pillar. f) National Forest Policy, 2015 The National Forest Policy addresses sustainable management, biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection. The policy promotes the reduction of watershed and land degradation and improvement of its management, to establish biological corridors, and to regulate sustainable forest management, especially for local and indigenous communities. The policy also promotes forest connectivity, biodiversity, and timber extraction on abandoned and degraded lands (including agricultural land), as well as agroforestry, reforestation and restoration on degraded lands (including mangrove areas), especially on watersheds, bare hills and buffering communities. According to the policy, the current land tax regime has created incentives for deforestation on private land. 19 g) National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), 2016 The NBSAP was written to develop the national development goals for Belize within 2016-2020 by integrating environment, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. The NBSAP goal of reducing pressures/ sustainable use, seeks to reduce direct and indirect pressures on Belize’s marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, to sustain and enhance national biodiversity and ecosystem services. To achieve this goal, actions for improving the sustainable management of agriculture and forestry industry, reducing pollution, protecting critical ecosystems by restoring ecosystems (or by limiting land degradation), strengthening ecosystem services, and maintaining Belize’s biodiversity, are necessary for the implementation of the NBSAP through a public participatory approach. h) NBSAP: Target Prioritization, 2016 A target prioritization for the NBSAP was conducted to identify the key targets and actions that will be integrated into the Biodiversity Finance Initiative’s (BIOFIN’s) resource mobilization strategy for prioritized implementation. The target strategy of highest priority, is that by 2025, key ecosystems services are to be sustainably managed and resilient to threats. The second highest target is to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems to improve and develop resilience to climate change impacts by 2020. Another target within the top 11 priorities, is to legislate and implement environmental standards that promote environmental responsibility and sustainability, so that between 2016 and 2020 the deforestation rate is no more than 0.6% per year. i) Belize Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan, 2016 The management plan supports the planned development and sustainable use of Belize’s coastal resources through several actions that include the protection of mangroves through advocating for the revised mangrove regulations (2018), implementing restoration projects and conserving mangrove areas, the protection of coastal habitat by establishing restoration projects and replanting mangroves areas prone to erosion and inundation, and the protection of riparian forests and water quality by implementing best agricultural practices. In 2020 the Government of Belize creates the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, some of its priorities are³: • Sustainable management and use of the Belize Reef System, coastal and marine resources for the socioeconomic development of Belize. • Protecting Belize’s Coastal Ecosystems through the NDC Process given their role in climate regulation, mitigation and adaptation. 3 Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation: https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/100-day-plan.pdf 20 j) Forest Regulations, 2018 Established a permitting system that aims to safeguard mangroves and their many ecosystem services from deforestation and degradation (mangrove forest conservation), into the framework of blue carbon⁴, …(Belize recognizes that the health and integrity of coastal ecosystems are vital for the health of people and the planet. “Blue carbon”, e.g. mangrove and seagrass ecosystems, play many important roles as a nature-based solution to climate change with mitigation, adaptation, and resilience co-benefits)… page 9⁵. Conserving mangrove forests and coral reefs as blue carbon storage areas is important for climate change mitigation and adaptation. k) National Land Use Policy and Planning Framework, 2019 This policy and planning framework is meant to guide the management, use, distribution and conservation of Belize’s land-based resources for the growing population in a sustainable manner. The policy actions are subdivided into various categories; the most relevant categories for landscape restoration are 'Productive and Sustainable Use of Land', 'Rural Land Uses/ Agricultural Development and Production', 'Land Use and Land Cover', 'Land Degradation', and 'Climate Change'. The actions for the aforementioned categories include promoting best land use practices and conservation of land-based resources; allocating agriculture on arable lands and ensuring proper water resource management; protecting and improving vegetation cover; incentivizing forest cover in private and national lands, and restoring or rehabilitating degraded watersheds and forests; increasing climate resilience and incorporating climate change analysis into agricultural strategies to reduce deforestation, and protect biodiversity and water resources; and reforesting in appropriate areas, such as hillsides and areas prone to erosion. l) Belize National Agroforestry Policy (DRAFT up to December 2020) Agroforestry supports ecosystem resilience and improves forest governance, as well as increasing carbon storage and mitigating climate change. The Ministry of Agriculture has been promoting sustainable forms of farming such as mixed farming systems, silvopastoral systems, and agro-silvopastoral systems. Currently, the Forest Department is working with Ya’axche Conservation Trust, Friends of Vaca Forest Reserve, and Friends for Conservation and Development to promote integrated farming systems. Ya’axche Conservation Trust, for example, has partnered with the Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Association to implement 4 Crooks, et al.; 2020 estimated to currently hold total ecosystem carbon stocks of approximately 92,962,893 (92,963 Kt) tCO2e, and annually sequester around 431,644 (432 Kt) tCO2e/year 5 Belize´s Updated Nationally Determined Contribution, 2021. https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/ Belize%20First/Belize%20Updated%20NDC.pdf 21 agroforestry methods. Agroforestry systems that have high potential in Belize include home gardens, riparian reforestation, improved fallows and living fences. m) Sustainable Development Plan for the Chiquibul-Mountain Pine Ridge-Caracol Complex, 2020 The CMCC Sustainable Development Plan (2020) seeks to improve the management of the CMCC’s ecosystems that will aid in water resource protection, biodiversity conservation and land use planning within 2020-2035. Proposed activities that promote conservation development include halting further incursions into protected areas; promoting sustainable agricultural practices such as agroforestry in buffer communities; restoring stream setbacks, vegetation buffers, and bark beetle impacted areas; and improving watershed conservation, fire management and sustainable timber management. n) Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target Setting Programme, 2020 The LDN target setting programme highlights the Belize River Watershed and the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts, which include the New River Watershed, as the main degradation hotspots in Belize. The LDN target setting programme was launched in 2019, but Belize began implementing activities to combat desertification since 2000, complying with one of the Sustainable Development Goals targets that aims to combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil. The LDN target setting programme aids in identifying factors affecting land use and land cover changes, and the overall target is to achieve no net loss in land cover by 2030. Strategies to achieve LDN can be found in Horizon 2030, Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy 2016-2019, and the Land Use Policy and Framework (Draft). o) Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (Belize), 2021 In the updated document, Belize commits to increase its climate commitments in the following areas: • Improvements in the data availability and analysis of projections underpinning commitments, especially in the FOLU sector. • Realistic and achievable commitments. • Increased ambition through expanded sectoral targets. • Expanded coverage of gases covered in targets to include N2O and Methane in AFOLU interventions. 22 • Further specification of targets including addition of time frames, quantified emissions reductions, and other outcomes. • Increased transparency in the development of targets. • Detail on the financing, monitoring and implementation of actions included in the NDC⁶. 1.2.3. International Agreements Belize has signed on to several conventions that pertain to climate, the environment and biodiversity. Belize has always been involved in global efforts to mitigate or prevent climate change, despite its minimal greenhouse gas contributions. The following are key conventions that address sustainable land use and restoration efforts: a) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) In 1994, Belize joined the Convention on Biological Diversity. Belize has developed the National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan in order to address the convention’s objectives of conserving biodiversity, implementing sustainable use of biodiversity, and the sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. Some of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets are also being achieved via the conservation of biodiversity through the National Protected Areas System and the long-term sustainable forest licenses implemented by the Forest Department. Additionally, several logging companies in Belize have also started getting their lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Other projects, such as the Southern Development Project, address the CBC’s concerns by investing in rural enterprises and sustainable farming techniques. Other relevant legislation, such as the Forest Act, National Protected Areas System Act, and the National Lands Act, address the CBC’s objectives. b) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Belize joined the UNFCCC in 1994 and has since been committed to stabilizing the GHG concentrations. The UNFCCC requires record keeping of a national inventory of greenhouse gas sources and sinks, and a National Communication detailing measures to address climate change. Belize currently has in place a Climate Change Office, and relevant policies that address GHG concentrations. Under the UNFCCC, the Global Environmental Facility, which is a system of grants and loans to fund actions on climate change, was developed. Belize has benefited from GEF funding over the years. 6 Available in https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/Belize%20First/Belize%20Updated%20NDC.pdf 23 c) United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Belize joined the UNCCD in 1998 and has committed to UNCCD’s goal of restoring and maintaining land and soil productivity, as well as mitigating the effects of drought and improving livelihoods within drylands. The UNCCD encourages a Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Strategy for its members. Since Belize has developed other policies, strategies and plans that also address the impacts of land degradation and drought, a LDN strategy has not been formulated. Some of the policies and plans that address land degradation and drought are the National Land Use Policy and Framework, National Environmental Policy and Strategy, National Environmental Action Plan, and the National Agriculture and Food Policy. d) Paris Agreement The Paris Agreement commits signatories to keep global temperature rise below 20 C and to limit temperature increase even further to 1.50 C. Additionally, the Paris Agreement aims to strengthen climate change adaptation actions. In 2015, Belize joined the Paris Agreement, but had submitted its Intended National Determined Contribution (INDC) well in advance of the signing of the agreement. The INDC is a requirement under the Paris Agreement to keep member countries accountable by outlining their efforts to reduce the national emissions and climate change adaptation. The INDC for Belize addresses population growth, socio-economic dependence on the agriculture and tourism sector, natural resources, and energy demands. It also lists the existing frameworks, policies, projects and activities that address sectors with significant contributions to Belize’s greenhouse emissions that would satisfy the 1.50 C goal of the Paris Agreement. The updated INDC was presented in August 2021. 1.2.4. Ongoing National & Regional Projects The Caribbean and Central American region has received international funding for several conservation initiatives due to its rich biodiversity and ecosystem services. The following are key projects, categorized by their developmental stage, that relate to landscape restoration in Belize and the region: a) REDD+ Readiness Preparation Project of Belize (2013-2020) Approximately 848,000 USD has been committed from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Readiness Fund to develop the National REDD+ Strategy and Action Plan, which aims to address the drivers of degradation and deforestation. The strategy will be supported by the National Forest Reference Emissions Level and a monitoring framework. 24 b) Conservation of the Maya Forest Corridor (2019-2024) The Maya Forest Corridor (MFC) initiative is implemented by the MFC coalition (GWC, ERI, Runaway Creek, Belize Zoo, Forest Department, and others) to have a functioning biological corridor through actions that balance the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the Maya Corridor Landscape. Approximately 28 million USD was committed for the acquisition of land and implementation of the MFC from 2019 to 2024. There will be opportunities for restoration, such as in farms within the MFC landscape that include cattle, citrus, corn, sugar, and other crops. This initiative does and will include several individual projects. c) Integrated Ridge to Reef Management of the Mesoamerican Reef Ecoregion Project (MAR2R) (2020-2024) This project was funded bay Global Environment Facility (GEF) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), with the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD) for Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, with objectives to: 1. Achieve a consensual vision for a Sustainable and Social Tourism in the ecoregion. 2. Develop sustainable best practices guidelines for the operation in the sector. 3. Strengthen the capacities of the public and private sectors at the regional level and by country. 4. To influence in the inclusion of sustainable and social tourism as a priority on the regional agendas. d) Increasing climate resilience through restoration of degraded landscapes in the Atlantic region of Central America (2020-2025) This regional project focuses on the coastal Atlantic region of Belize, Honduras and Guatemala to strengthen resilience induced by extreme weather and changing climate. Coastal zone resilience will be achieved through landscape restoration efforts that include reforestation of deforested coastal areas, restoration of degraded mangroves and coastal swamps, and promoting sustainable management of vegetation and coastal lands. Specifically, the project will address the information gap on best land-use practices and will enable restoration investments in Belize. For the region, approximately 12.26 million USD was committed to achieve the restoration efforts from 2020 to 2025. 25 e) Belize’s First Agroforestry Concession for Conservation and Livelihoods: A Case Study (2014-2029) The Ya’axche Conservation Trust, in collaboration with the Forest Department and Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Ltd., has developed a community cacao agroforestry concession within the Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve. The objective of the agroforestry concession is to reduce threats to biodiversity and habitat loss, while allowing local farmers access to grow cacao. The agroforestry concession was approved by the Forest Department in 2014, with the renewable contract ending in 2029. Approximately 1.15 million USD in grant funding has been invested into the concession and its associated activities. 1.2.5. Completed national & Regional Projects a) Integrating Protected Area and Landscape Management in the Golden Stream Watershed (2006-2013) Approximately 2,120,518 USD was committed for the Golden Stream Watershed (GSW) to function as a model of how multiple protected areas within an ecological interconnected and interdependent biodiversity corridor area can jointly achieve conservation and sustainable development objectives. The objectives should contribute to the sustainability of Belize’s national protected area system. The projected was launched in 2016 by Flora and Fauna International (FFI) and was completed in 2013. 1.2.6. Projects under design/negotiation Some proposed projects under negotiation will be key contributors to landscape restoration are the Global Wildlife Program (GWP)⁷ that will enhance jaguar corridors and strongholds through improved management and threat reduction; the Integrated Management of Production Landscapes⁸ to deliver multiple global environmental benefits from sustainable land and water management; the Integrated Flood Management in the Upper Regions of the Belize River Watershed; Building the Adaptive Capacity of Sugar Cane Farmers in Northern Belize⁹; and Building the climate resilience of the New River Watershed in Belize¹⁰. 7 Belize was added as part of the GWP Phase II, approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council, in June 2019. 8 GEF – concept approved November 2017. 9 Green Climate Fund – Project Preparation Funding Application approved August 2020. 10 Concept Note to the GCF was approved. 27 2. The Planning Context – the External Environment Urban, rural, and agricultural development has significantly expanded into the forested areas of Belize, causing high rates of deforestation and degradation or indirectly degrading buffering forest. The political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) factors that further promote, exacerbate, or hinder deforestation, degradation, and land use change will advise the National Landscape Restoration Strategy on the factors that are prevalent in Belize. Based on literature review (see Annex 1), supplemented by consultations with representatives of some key NGOs, and governmental and private agencies (see Annex 2), a detailed PESTEL analysis was conducted. The results of the PESTEL analysis are summarized below. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and similar to the rest of the world, Belize’s economy has experienced a severe downturn. Apart from other pre-pandemic factors occurring in Belize, new challenges have risen as a consequence of the pandemic, which are addressed in the PESTEL analysis. 2.1. Political Factors Belize's political environment is considered stable, as evidenced by the General Elections in November 2020, and there was a peaceful transition to the new Administration. However, there is no streamlined process to adopt a policy from one government to the next¹¹. For example, the previous administration/government did not finalize the 2019 National Land Use Policy and Planning Framework, and it is yet to be determined whether or not the incumbent government may finalize it. A similar endeavour that both administrations shared was that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a shift in economic planning from tourism towards food security and agriculture started to take place. Although the #planBelize Manifesto of the 11 Interviews with key stakeholders. 28 current administration refers to various proposed political reforms and innovations, including some that would promote landscape restoration (https://planbelize.bz/about-planbelize/), overall accountability and oversight mechanisms continue to remain weak. Past government administrations have shown that there is insufficient political will to institute the necessary reforms to improve accountability, the inadequacy of which has led to prominent levels of corruption in the public and private sector¹². The current land distribution system has disenfranchised people who would most likely participate in restoration activities, since the poorer are more agriculturally oriented, but may not hold tenure to the lands within which they work¹³. Additionally, the land distribution system has allowed people to obtain more leases than they need for land speculation purposes¹⁴. Belize has a fairly good environmental platform as it relates to nationally and internationally supported conservation projects and initiatives. The Government of Belize (GOB) has also developed and endorsed various well-designed sustainable development plans and frameworks for the country (e.g., the Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy). However, the implementation of such sustainable development strategies still needs to be internalized across all sectors. Within the Forest Department, the Chief Forest Officer (CFO) prepares fire protection plans for designated fire protected areas. Landowners residing within a designated fire protected area are responsible for planning out prescribed fires and must cover the expenses to carry them out within a specified timeframe. However, this may not be consistently enforced as evidenced by the rampant and destructive 2020 fires in Central Belize, and the challenge to determine which department is responsible to monitor fires.The Forest Department has the responsibility and authority over all terrestrial natural resources, but allows community-level governance of community forest resources to be used for personal or commercial purpose. The Agriculture Department, however, has authority over agricultural lands, where fires set on agricultural lands are not always planned and monitored and can spread unto the forest, causing extensive and damaging forest fires. There is a need to clarify which agency takes the lead when both are interlinked. The current administration recently appointed a Commissioner of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. The Commissioner represents GOB in its legal duty to implement the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) 2015 Consent Order and Judgement related to communal Maya land rights (See Social Factor for its social implications). 12 Ibid. 13 Interviews with key stakeholders. 14 Ibid. 29 2.2. Economic Factors The Covid-19 pandemic has created a massive economic downturn, which has dramatically reduced GOB’s revenue base and resulted in curtailed spending. Prior to Covid-19, Belize had experienced three consecutive quarters of negative growth, and Belize's debt to GDP ratio (DTGR) amounted to approximately 105.08% (BNN, 2020). Belize’s DTGR for 2020 is 134.1%, the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the Caribbean and Central American region (GOB, 2021). Belize’s GDP growth decreased from 2% to 0.2% in 2019 (The World Bank, 2021). The real GDP per capita has been trending downward since 2010 but fell sharply from $7,040 in 2019 to $5,843 in 2020 due to the pandemic (GOB, 2021). Similarly, the real GDP collapsed in 2020 to 2007 levels, after a steady increase over a 13-year period (GOB, 2021). The 2020-2021 National Budget projected a deficit of $232 million (BNN, 2020). The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected the agriculture, tourism, construction, and transportation sectors. The pandemic has also indirectly created high levels of unemployment due to the severe decline of the tourism industry, which has been one of Belize’s largest GDP contributors. Between 2019 and 2020, the unemployment rate increased from 10.4% to 29.6%, while the underemployment rate also increased from 22.7% to 38% (GOB, 2021). One in five Belizeans applied for Covid-19 financial relief, representing 43% of the national labour force and 19.7% of the national population (BNN, 2020). The primary sector contributes 10% to Belize’s GDP, with agriculture contributing the most, followed by fisheries and forestry (BNN, 2020; SIB, 2018). In northern Belize, sugarcane, grains, and vegetables have been the most important economic sector, as are bananas and citrus for southern Belize. With sugarcane production on a decline due to the 2019 drought and the 2020 floods caused by Hurricanes Eta and Iota, coupled with high transportation costs due to poor infrastructure within ports and road systems, the economy in northern Belize and the country have been greatly impacted (NAFP, 2015). As for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), wholesale and retail prices have steadily increased back to levels that existed before the creation of the National Gas Company. In May 2020, the wholesale price was $2.26 per gallon and retail price was $3.82 and $3.96 per gallon for urban and rural areas, respectively. In January 2021, wholesale prices increased to $3.16 per gallon and retail prices increased to $4.76 and $4.86 per gallon for urban and rural areas, respectively. The increase is attributed to fluctuations in acquisition prices for butane (Trejo, 2020; Trejo, 2021). The dependence on fuel wood remains substantial especially in rural communities. Within the agriculture sector, poultry production has contributed the most economic output (BNN, 2020). However, depopulation measures had to be taken to reduce cost during the Covid-19 pandemic. The livestock, dairy and vegetable sector also experienced severe domestic and international market contractions due to the steep fall in demand, the 2019 and 2020 drought, and the limited market access and transportation due to Covid-19 restrictions. 30 Further exacerbated by the pandemic, the 2019 drought affected 7,325 farmers, which resulted in a 38.40 million USD loss (Matus, 2020). There has been limited financing for agriculture investment since policy makers have maintained that agriculture should compete with industrial and service sectors (NAP, TBD). Additionally, farmers who wish to invest in their farm are burdened by high interest rates and slow crop returns, and environmental sustainability is not often included in their investment plans due to lack of funds¹⁵, or they may not understand the benefits of incorporating sustainable agricultural practices that produce higher crop yields. For example, Programme for Belize asserts that Mennonites from Indian Creek have expressed unwillingness to incorporate trees in their agriculture, because it would result in 5% less production. This attitude reflects the lack of awareness and understanding of the effectiveness of silvopastoral systems. The role of the private sector is important since the public sector alone cannot transform the Agriculture and Food Sector due to the high debt level and limited skill set within GOB. However, through various national economic development strategies (e.g., the NSTMP, CMCC, GSDS, and Horizons 2030), Belize’s economy shows positive signs of greening (at least pre-Covid). The New Growth Industries Ministry that was established by the new administration will push for the creation and expansion of new industries that are dependent on natural resources (e.g., the hemp industry)¹⁶. Local products are not nationally promoted, and products are often only sold within the district that produces them. For example, Toledo farmers supported by Ya’axche Conservation Trust sell most of their products only within Toledo. Belize’s product demand has mostly been driven by the external market, which has been affected by Covid-19. 2.3. Socio-Cultural Factors Belize’s population was estimated to be 410,695 for 2020 (SIB, 2021). There has been an increase in population growth within small rural communities and urban centres. In 2002, the poverty rate was 33.5%, and increased to 42.3% in 2009 (NEPS, 2014); by 2018, the Statistical Institute of Belize reported a national poverty rate of 52%¹⁷, and decreased slightly to an estimated rate of 50% poverty for 2019 (NAP, TBD). The increasing poverty rates, compounded by increased immigration from neighbouring countries, as well as pressures from Guatemala into Belize’s forests from El Pilar to Columbia River Forest Reserve, has increased demand for 15 Interviews with key stakeholders. 16 Ibid. 17 Statistical Institute of Belize, http://sib.org.bz/press-release-2021-06-30/ 18 Ibid. 31 land and natural resources use¹⁸. Impacts from land degradation caused by the high demand of natural resources disproportionately affect women and youth the most¹⁹. Additionally, rural communities are mainly affected by water-borne diseases and disproportionately difficult access to health care facilities²⁰. There are 9,663 farmers and 11,062 farms in Belize, with Orange Walk District having the highest number of farmers and farms (Matus, 2020). However, despite the number of farms available to produce, there was a shortage in certain products due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the community restrictions imposed by GOB to prevent the spread of Covid-19, which then limited access and transportation for farmers to reach the domestic market during 2020. As a result, there has been an increasing awareness on backyard gardens. Belize's economy declined with the Covid-19 pandemic, not only in agriculture but also in tourism and commerce, and a general estimated economic contraction of 15.5% in 2020²¹ by ECLAC. Women involvement in agriculture remains weak because of gender-related social issues. According to the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)²² and the World Bank (2018), approximately 23,400 people in Belize are employed in agriculture, but only 9.4% are women. Youth involvement in agriculture also remains weak because young people tend to shun agriculture due to its association with rural economies and their perception that farming is antiquated (NAFP, 2015). Another challenge lies in land tenure, where several rural poor people do not have secure tenure on the land that they are working for subsistence farming, while on the other hand, Mennonite farmers have been able to purchase large swathes of land. The Mennonites have created a large agriculture enterprise that has made Belize highly dependent on Mennonite farming for its food security. Belize’s Supreme Court has recognized Maya customary land tenure in southern Belize. In 2015, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Consent and Order Judgement achieved a historic legal affirmation of indigenous land rights in Belize. However, there is still a need for indigenous peoples to receive free and prior informed consent (FPIC) related to any external development on Maya land. 19 Ibid. 20 Ibid. 21 Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean. 2020. Available: https://repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/46504/7/PO2020 Belize en.pdf 22 Spanish acronym. 32 2.4. Technological factors Current farming practices within Belize are generally inefficient and require large areas of land²³. Belize lacks proper land use mapping and appropriate development zonation for farmers and developers, respectively. Most agricultural land under production is not found within arable lands (that is, land suitable for agriculture) (see Environmental Factors section). Most of the current lands being used are considered unsuitable for agriculture, and need to be fallowed and improved; most farmers do this by slash and burn (shifting agriculture), but in southern Belize, the Ya’axché Conservation Trust has been promoting sustainable practices such as mulching and Inga alley cropping. Additionally, several villages, especially in southern Belize, do not have electricity or access to mobile phone coverage. Poor electricity and cell phone coverage limits their access to technological advances and to information that could improve agricultural practices²⁴. The deteriorating conditions of the feeder roads leading to the highways, also makes it difficult for farmers to transport their products to and from the market²⁵. Apart from the day-to-day difficulties that farmers face to produce and transport their products, Belize has had a lack of the proper tools and research to develop better agricultural practices and forest management. For example, Belize does not have a proper water management plan that addresses the water catchment use for agriculture and there is no established soil protection program²⁶. Although there are many experts and knowledgeable people in Belize, there is a lack of research conducted specifically on restoration, sustainable agriculture, and restorative plant species in and for Belize²⁷. These types of research must also include indigenous perspectives and location specific knowledge, for inclusivity and transparency. The Government of Belize (GOB), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private institutions have started using different software (such as ArcGIS, SIMIS, and LiDAR) for more accurate data gathering, but the access and education to use such software by local farmers is lacking. As for community forestry workers, their skill set in technical forestry and business is also greatly lacking²⁸. Several NGOs have dedicated their time and effort into educating farmers and improving their practices, such as the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, Ya’axché Conservation Trust, Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development, and others, as well 23 Ibid. 24 Ibid. 25 Ibid. 26 Ibid. 27 Ibid. 28 Ibid. 33 as the Agriculture Department. A grassroots initiative in Toledo provides different indigenous varieties of corn to indigenous farmers for community use so as to maintain cultural integrity and promote food sovereignty²⁹. However, many organizations are restricted from their full potential due to weak management structure to enforce regulations and their limited financial resources³⁰. Lack of funds results in low or no supplies of plants and greenhouses available for the implementation of proper agricultural practices or restoration activities. Growing crops using chemicals has been the fastest and easiest route for many farmers, since growing crops organically requires more knowledge of soil and crop management. Agrochemicals, which include pesticides and plant/animal growth regulators, are regulated by the Pesticides Control Board (PCB), but fertilizers are regulated by Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA). Agrochemical use is largely unregulated since legislation needs to be updated or written in regard to government and pesticide industry responsibilities³¹; proposals for this to be updated were submitted to the Government in September 2021. Although chemical quantities are unregulated, there is reliable information available on the approximate pesticide use for different crop-producing regions of the country³². The Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative (CSFI) has been creating awareness about systemic pesticides and sustainable agricultural practices, and the PCB launched its ‘Grow Safe’ campaign in 2019, and is actively looking for partners with an interest in reducing reliance on Restricted Use Pesticides. Several farmers have started to experience first-hand the impact of climate change. Mennonite farmers, such as those from Blue Creek, experiencing the impacts have started to put in place adaptation practices³³. GOB and funding agencies have acknowledged these changes and have started to become more interested in sustainable and climate-smart agriculture to improve production and efficiency amidst the challenges from climate change. The Agriculture Department has been focusing and promoting climate-smart agriculture, mixed farming systems, agroforestry and the reduction of post-harvest losses (NAP, TBD)³⁴. The GOB secured agricultural development financing via the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to introduce climate-resilient agricultural practices that will allow small-holder farmers to have a sustainable production process and improved market access for their produce, even under the stress of climate change and extreme climatic events, therefore increasing their economic, social, and environmental resilience. This initiative will benefit communities in five priority areas the Orange Walk District, Belize District, Cayo District, Stann Creek District and the Toledo District, spread across 23 communities (GOB & IFAD, 2020). 29 Ibid. 30 Ibid. 31 Interviews with key stakeholders. 32 Ibid. 33 Ibid. 34 Ibid. 34 2.5. Environmental factors Belize has 61.6% of forest cover, with approximately 35.8% within the National Protected Areas System (NPAS) (NBSAP, 2016). From 1980 to 2010, the national deforestation rate was calculated to be 0.6% per year (9,872 ha/year) (Cherrington, et al., 2010). However, the deforestation rate showed an increase between 2010 to 2012 (11,671 ha/year), and trends show a further increase. Between 2010 and 2012, 93% of deforestation occurred outside protected areas and 6.4% occurred within protected areas, mostly along the western border with Guatemala from the Vaca Forest Reserve down to the Columbia River Forest Reserve (NBSAP, 2016). According to Global Forest Watch³⁵, from 2010 to 2020, Belize lost 99.4 ha (8.7%) of humid primary forest, making up 54% of its total tree cover loss in the same time period. From 2010 to 2020, Belize lost 186,000 ha of tree cover, equivalent to an 11% decrease in tree cover since 2000. In studies conducted by IUCN in the framework of the Selva Maya Project, it was identified that within the 16 priority protected areas for the project in the period 2016-2020 the deforestation rate was 0.0015 on average, however outside of them the rate was 0.0030, that is, approximately 76,000 hectares. The Vaca Forest Reserve lost approximately 562 hectares in the 2016-2020 period³⁶. Deforestation along the western border is a result of trans-boundary incursion from Guatemala. Contributing to the further degradation of forests in protected areas, forested land within protected areas that buffer Maya communities have also been de-reserved and parcelled out³⁷. As for the coastal zone, 34% of Belize’s mangroves are currently at low risk from human activity, 60% are at medium risk, and 6% are under high threat (CZMAI, 2016). Belize’s coastal zone³⁸ is an area of 17,547.61 km², with only 0.45% developed as of 2010³⁹. Over the past decades, economic development has become prevalent within the coastal zone as a result of population growth and tourism (CZMAI, 2016). Although Belize has developed more than one land use policy, the updated Land Use Policy of 2019 has not been accepted, and cannot be used to address land use concerns, or appropriate use of land. About 38% of Belize’s landscape is considered arable, but only 7% of the total land area is actively being used for agriculture, of which only 3.3% is arable (CIAT & World Bank, 2018; Itza, 2019; FAO, 2015). Interestingly, arable land can be found within protected areas, as in the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, a private protected area used for sustainable 35 Belize Interactive Forest Map & Tree Cover Change Data | GFW (globalforestwatch.org). 36 Puyravaud, J.P. 2002. Standardizing the Calculation of the Annual Rate of Deforestation. Forest Ecology and Management, 177, 593-596. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(02)00335-3. 37 Interviews with key stakeholders. 38 The coastal zone includes the mean high water mark up to the territorial sea with the 3-kilometer buffer along the coastline included (CZMAI, 2021). 39 CZMAI, 2021. 35 forest management which has been identified as land suitable for rice production⁴⁰. Due to population increase, there is a growing national and international demand for natural resources (e.g., lumber, NTFPs and wildlife) and an increasing local demand for land resources, resulting in the expansion of the agricultural frontier. Some users of the agro landscape, such as the Banana Growers Association, attest that the banana industry plantations only lie within arable land, and would not expand on land that is not economic for such plantations. At the same time, there are idle lands that have been previously cleared for agriculture, but no regulations have been set in place to make use of them. Concurrently, agriculture expansion commences with land clearing and the exploitation of timber, which may be harvested illegally. There is a large number of sawmills in Belize, and many purchase illegal logs since there has been a very low supply of legally harvested timber⁴¹. The major environmental factors that affect agriculture are climate and weather. Agriculture has become extremely vulnerable to climate change due to high temperatures, and the increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes and droughts (NCCPSAP, 2014). However, to support climate change mitigation and adaptation, and in compliance with the Paris Agreement, Belize established a Forest Reference Emissions Level from 2001-2015 that aids as a benchmark for assessing Belize’s performance in implementing activities that reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation (Forest Department, 2020). Although laws, strategies, and policies have been written for the protection of Belize’s natural resources, many are not consistently implemented⁴². For example, mangrove restoration projects are not well defined, enforced or implemented, and fire protections plans are either not properly or completely executed by landowners⁴³. Furthermore, along any waterbody, such as rivers, ponds or the sea, a 66-foot forest buffer must be left in place, but this rule is not often implemented⁴⁴. Watershed protection is also not enforced, even though watersheds are a critical concern for agriculture, including the banana industry⁴⁵. The expansion of settlements and poor agricultural practices has become prevalent within watersheds, which contribute to soil erosion and degrade water quality. Unsustainable agricultural practices have also led to poor water quality and low water availability. Many farmers completely depend on wells (aquifers) for their water source, which cause extensive extraction and contamination to the water source. Belize does not have an established water quality baseline for all types of water and usage, so proper monitoring cannot be done effectively and accurately⁴⁶. 40 Interviews with key stakeholders. 41 Ibid. 42 Interviews with key stakeholders. 43 Ibid. 44 Ibid. 45 Ibid. 46 Ibid. 36 One of the major gaps within the protected areas system, is that only a portion of one of the three biological corridors is legally protected - the North-eastern Biological Corridor. Just recently, 236,000 acres of land which were once exploited for timber and NTFP’s, are now being protected under the Belize Maya Forest (Trust), filling a critical gap in the Belize forest network, and adding benefits for connectivity for wildlife between the corridors. The Department of Environment (DOE) requires that a buffer be left on private lands along the biological corridors⁴⁷, but it is unclear whether this applies for established biological corridors only, or also for the unofficially designated biological corridors. 2.6. Legal factors There are several gaps and inconsistencies within the laws of Belize in relation to land and land use⁴⁸. For starters, there are no legal definitions for the terms “unimproved land” and “improved land”, but yet all agricultural land is taxed as unimproved land (Roberson, 2017). Forested lands that are logged for the local timber industry have had a valuation increase, almost tripling the land taxes under Statutory Instrument No. 32 of 2016 (Roberson, 2017). Ecosystem services and the benefits of forested land are not yet considered, and the land tax regime does not offer incentives to producers and farmers to support new development and conservation priorities (NAP, TBD). Other terms, such as “good husbandry practices”, and “good practices” and “appropriate action”, which could be found within the Registered Land Act (CAP 194) and the Water Industry Act (CAP 222), respectively, are also not clearly defined, but only reference the Ministry and the Act responsible. While laws in Belize are generally well-written, the challenge lies in their effective, consistent, and fair enforcement⁴⁹. A huge loophole in Belize’s laws that put a strain on good management and enforcement is the inclusion in the laws of phrases such as “…at the discretion of the minister”, “the minister may exempt…”, and “the minister may make regulations…”. These phrases are found within the Land Tax Act, Cap. 58, National Lands Act, Cap. 191, and the Land Utilization Act, Cap. 188, for example. Such provisions have in the past undermined good legislation in Belize⁵⁰, and some key policies at times tend to be left in the back burner and without becoming proper legislation⁵¹. Current environmental legislation and review processes may cause delays in the development process, thereby potentially discouraging investment in development projects. However, some of these processes are necessary to ensure that any 47 Ibid. 48 Ibid. 49 Ibid. 50 Ibid. 51 Ibid. 37 impact to the ecological integrity of the proposed development site is minimized or prevented altogether. Land can be privately owned, but the trees located on the land are owned by the government⁵². Certain species of trees can be removed or taken by the GOB, if it so desires. As for indigenous lands, the Forest Department has an ad hoc agreement with Maya communities, that trees and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are allowed to be harvested for personal consumption within communal lands. However, the communal lands are not designated, creating boundary conflicts between different communities that border each other⁵³. There are still prevailing issues between the indigenous people of Belize and GOB over land rights and tenure, since GOB still legally holds tree tenure within Maya lands. The insecurity of land and tree tenure could hamper the adoption of agroforestry practices or any other restoration practices by the indigenous people (NAP, TBD). 52 Interviews with key stakeholders. 53 Interviews with key stakeholders. 39 3. Summary of the ROAM process and results Since Belize’s Bonn Challenge Commitment in 2019, Belize utilized ROAM as a tool to identify and analyse degraded and deforested areas that are suitable for Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR). IUCN’s definition of FLR is “the process of regaining ecological functionality and enhancing human well-being across deforested or degraded forest landscapes.” This process allows for multiple land uses, such as agriculture, hunting, natural regeneration, and protection of wildlife in order to sustain present and future needs without damaging ecosystem services (IUCN & WRI, 2014). Some of these ecosystem services include carbon storage, soil stability, clean water, air quality, raw materials, and recreation (Elliott, Blakesley & Hardwick, 2013). Additionally, ROAM aids in identifying priority areas based on the country’s priorities, through the definition of key ecosystem services and productive areas to be restored, and that will be committed for restoration under the Bonn Challenge pledge. The ROAM framework has three phases: (1) Preparation and planning, (2) Data collection and analysis, and (3) Results to recommendation (IUCN and WRI, 2014). These three phases delivered the following main products, which were developed in collaboration and engagement with key stakeholders across Belize: • Total extent of restoration opportunities; • Feasible restoration strategy types (restoration practices); • Cost-benefit analysis for each restoration strategy; • Priority areas for restoration that are socially, economically and ecologically feasible; and • Policy, financial and social incentives proposal that support restoration. The expected outcomes of ROAM include governmental leadership and joint support with multistakeholder engagement at different levels and sectors, such as other governmental 40 institutions, NGOs, indigenous groups and private sector for restoration; better information for land-use decision-making; input for climate and disaster risk adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and restoration strategies; and supports the allocation of resources, including prioritization of investment for restoration programmes. Several ROAM national workshops were conducted convening the Belize National Restoration Round Table and the Gender and Restoration Committee, as the two main consultation platforms of the process (see in Annex: participants of the process). The main results are summarized below. The two first national ROAM workshops (one carried out with the Gender and Restoration Committee and another with the Belize National Restoration Round Table) selected criteria to identify the landscape restoration opportunity areas for Belize. The criteria included biodiversity/ connectivity, water, vulnerability, soil management and conservation, and pollination. Based on land-use data and geodata available for each criterion, maps were created for each, and then overlayed to show the restoration opportunity within the sum of the criteria. Furthermore, forest degraded landscapes and agro landscapes were intersected with the opportunity criteria map to form the opportunity restoration map (Chavarria, 2019). The forest degraded landscapes include medium, high, and very high disturbances caused by hurricanes, forest fires, exploitation, pests, and other human impacts. As for the agro landscape, only the medium, high, and very high, restoration opportunity categories were considered for the opportunity areas map (Chavarria, 2019). Therefore, this map of opportunities (Figure 1) allows us to identify the location, the area (hectares), and type of lands that have the opportunity to be restored in the country. This information is key to defining the actions necessary to recover priority ecosystem goods and services, as well as to measure the effort that the country must carry out. The second national ROAM workshops were carried out with the two consultation platforms who validated the opportunity restoration map, identified the restoration actions for Belize, and assisted in the definition of the restoration practices, that were later verified and adjusted with the different stakeholders that will implement the practices on the ground. The opportunity areas map identified 382,592 hectares of degraded forests and agro landscapes which when restored, will recover the ecosystem services and functions prior to human disturbance or natural disasters (Table 1). The restoration actions within the agro landscape were developed for the following land uses: banana, rice, sugarcane, citrus and coconut production, and livestock (as in table 2). Within the forest landscape, restoration actions were split into two categories: inside protected areas 41 Restoration Opportunity Areas in the Belizean Landscape Land use Opportunity Areas (ha) Forest degradation inside protected areas 43,983.58 Forest degradation outside protected areas 179,361.28 Total forest landscape 223,344.86 Banana 2,520.39 Coconut 131.22 Other crop 52,868.13 Pastures 57,873.66 Rice 1,420.07 Sugar cane 44,434.25 Total agricultural landscape 159,247.72 Total Belize Landscape 382,592.58 Table 1. Areas of opportunity for restoration in the landscape of Belize in hectares and outside protected areas. Restoration actions within the forest landscape were developed on different land uses and ecosystem types, as represented in the table 2. The cost-benefit analysis compares the Business as Usual (BAU) actions to the FLR actions within a 20 year period at a 9% discounted rate (Gutierrez, 2020). The analysis examines the costs for implementation, maintenance, and direct incomes from product sale, and avoided costs and benefits of FLR and BAU actions. The cost-benefit analysis also identifies the net benefits from FLR actions, which include benefits that cater to the protection and conservation of ecosystem services. The Net Present Value (NPV)⁵⁴ for the FLR and BAU actions within the agro landscape were determined for each land use type aforementioned. The FLR actions for rice, citrus, coconut, 54 NPV is the total value of a potential investment opportunity. 42 Land Use Total Opportunity Area (ha) Banana production Improved variety, good agricultural practices, and soil management Rice production Improved variety and good agricultural practices Sugarcane production Good agricultural practices, soil management and green harvesting Livestock Silvopastoral system Citrus production and coconut production Citrus-coconut system with good agricultural practices and soil management Deforested and heavily degraded broadleaf forests within protected areas (IUCN categories I, II and III) Assisted succession through nucleation techniques Broadly degraded broadleaf forest in protected areas (IUCN categories IV, V and VI) Regeneration assisted with ecological restoration techniques Broadleaf and mixed forest within protected areas (for all classes) degraded (low and medium) Passive regeneration Broadleaf and mixed forest (outside protected areas) under sustainable management. Forests that have been exploited and buffer zones Assisted regeneration with enrichment planting in strips Assisted regeneration for a sustainable forest management model Degraded pine forest Assisted regeneration with enrichment planting in lines Assisted regeneration with enrichment planting in strips Table 2. Restoration actions in the agricultural and forest landscape and livestock showed to have a significantly higher NPV than BAU, whereas the FLR action for banana had a higher NPV under BAU. As for sugarcane, both the FLR and BAU actions had a negative NPV, implying zero financial returns on both actions (Gutierrez, 2020). Alternatively, the NPV for the FLR actions within the forest landscape were analysed based on the six types of restoration actions developed: 1) enrichment planting strip, 2) passive regeneration, 3) ecological restoration, 4) sustainable management, 5) enrichment planting, and 6) nucleation (Sanchez-Monge, 2020) . Sustainable management was the only restoration action to have a positive NPV, with the other actions having a negative NPV, because these actions do not contemplate a direct economic activity⁵⁵. However, FLR actions also support 55 Nucleation is defined as a technique that seeks to increase the internal diversity of fragments devoid of vegetation in restoration areas (Sanchun, et. al., 2016). 43 Figure 1. FLR opportunity areas within forests and agro-landscape 44 environmental benefits, such as reducing erosion, sediment export, nutrient export and increasing carbon sequestration (Gutierrez, 2020). These additional benefits coupled with the financial benefits received from the FLR implementation, largely outweigh the benefits from the BAU actions. After estimating direct income (monetary benefits), the analysis of FLR actions try to evaluate different environmental benefits and social benefits of restoration actions, that is, the co-benefits of FLR (IUCN and WRI 2014). The purposes of estimating the co-benefits are: (1) to understand the broader impact of FLR actions, and (2) to address the needs and interests of the stakeholders about the impacts of implementing the proposed FLR actions. The environmental co-benefits estimated were erosion control, sediment retention, nutrient retention (nitrogen and phosphorus), impact on baseflow and quick flow, carbon balance, and job creation. The potential of each restoration action to reduce erosion; decrease the export of sediments and nutrients (N and P); and increase baseflow and reduce quick flow was estimated by calculating the difference between the 'current scenario’ and the ‘restored scenario’. Thus, this analysis shows what are the restoration actions with the greatest impact on the environmental criteria and the areas associated to these actions, which help to identify priority areas for restoration. For example, the restoration of silvopastoral system, soil conservation practices in banana, orange and coconut are the practices with the greatest impact on coastal ecosystems, reducing nutrients exportation, and safeguarding this important ecosystem for one of the key Belize’s economic activity. Finally, the stakeholders participated in ranking socioeconomic and environmental criteria and based on the ranking results, developed a priority areas map showing the prioritized agro landscape and forest landscape at 79,822 hectares and 50,179 hectares, respectively, totalling 130,000 hectares (Table 1 and 2, Figure 2) of the landscape. The 130,000 hectares of priority areas represents the official Bonn Challenge Pledge for Belize. 45 Forest Landscape Land use Opportunity Areas (ha) Priority Areas (ha) Forest degradation inside protected areas 43,983.58 119 Forest degradation outside protected areas 179,361.28 50,060 Total Area 223,344.86 50,179 Agro landscape Land use Opportunity Areas (ha) Priority Areas (ha) Banana 2,520.39 288 Coconut 131.22 78 Other crop 52,868.13 22,078 Pastures 57,873.66 34,354 Rice 1,420.07 126 Sugar cane 44,434.25 22,898 Total Area 159,247.72 79,822 Land Use Total Opportunity Area (ha) Total Priority Area (ha) Forest Landscape 223,344.86 50,179 Agro-landscape 159,247.72 79,822 Total 382,592.58 130,001 56 The areas include high, medium and low degraded forests/agro landscapes (IUCN, 2020). Table 3. Opportunity and Priority areas in hectares within forests and agro landscape areas⁵⁶ Table 4. Total area of Opportunity Areas and Priority Areas 46 Figure 2. Priority areas within forests and agro landscapes 47 4. Assessing the current status of the landscape restoration process in Belize An analysis of internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats (SWOT) was performed related to the landscape restoration process. The SWOT analysis allowed the planning team to clearly and strategically identify what internal strengths and external opportunities can be capitalized on, and what internal weaknesses and external threats need to be eliminated, reduced or carefully managed. The synthesized performance statements are presented below (See Annex 5 for the detailed results of the SWOT Analysis). 4.1. Strengths Stakeholder organizations may be able to support landscape restoration efforts by providing resources that would support landscape restoration activities. Several stakeholder organizations have experience in community engagement and planning, which they can use in the landscape restoration process. Rural inhabitants, specifically the rural poor, farmers, and producers, have experienced and recognize the effects of degradation and deforestation on their landscape. Consequently, these communities would welcome the opportunity to revitalize the landscape and enable community activities to be harmonious with restoration activities, which would improve their livelihoods in return. The landscape restoration process would create jobs and encourage young Belizeans to engage in meaningful employment that would support the restorative actions and their benefits. Community involvement creates inclusivity, which would bode well for landscape restoration efforts. Currently, communities, such as Conejo and Santa Teresa, are engaged in community-based sustainable forest management programs that were developed with the support of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) and the Forest Department. 48 For years, stakeholder organizations (including conservation NGOs) have built a working relationship with the Government of Belize, especially with the Forest Department, focusing their efforts on protected areas management. Stakeholder organizations share the will and desire to implement landscape restoration actions which aligns with their goals of protecting Belize’s natural resources. Stakeholder and NGO’s have the capacity through key technical experts to implement restoration actions on field, established networks with other organizations that can provide support, assist in the orientation, training, and equipping participants in the landscape restoration process, and more importantly, they already have experience in forest landscape restoration, and have established activities that contribute to the maintenance of ecosystem goods and services. Several organizations are conducting biodiversity monitoring and other monitoring related to ecosystem services (such as water) that measure the effectiveness of conservation management actions. Community-based sustainable forest management, which include restoration and assisted regeneration activities, area already being conducted. Some restoration activities are already taking place, such as the implementation of climate smart agricultural practices/systems and tree planting campaigns. Climate-smart agriculture training and demonstration plots are also being promoted and established to educate farmers on the advantages of adopting such practices. The Forest Department has six (6) range offices which facilitate the deployment of resources, such as technical support and tree saplings from their nurseries. A wide variety of local tree species are easily accessible and could be utilized in restoration efforts. Stakeholder organizations have the desire to convene to discuss steps moving forward with landscape restoration and to include technologies to monitor the restoration process. Additionally, international partners could also assist in restoration activities via funding or physical assistance. The majority of organizations in Belize that have access to funding, are already implementing projects and have project management abilities to collectively implement the strategy. 4.2. Weaknesses Internal factors faced by stakeholder organizations that do not bode well for landscape restoration efforts were identified in order to determine the improvements that need to be made. At the operational level, some stakeholder organizations have insufficient knowledge and capacity to landscape restoration, which would affect the implementation of the NLRS. Very few stakeholder organizations have human resources and the technical capacity dedicated to restoration, and forest landscape restoration is often not programmed in organizational workplans. Additionally, there is limited collaboration and collective understanding among organizations in relation to landscape restoration. Therefore, coordination for implementing national policies and plans must be improved and established within the organizations. Another factor that could affect the 49 proper implementation of the restoration strategy is the inability of conservation organizations to influence key private sector groups that should be involved in restoration. There is a need to improve and establish a strong inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral track record for collaborative work pertaining to all forms of development and conservation projects, which may be expected for restoration efforts. Enforcement of legislation or implementation of polices, laws and practices to enable restoration efforts, and leverage financial resources are needed for the proper implementation of the NLRS and achieving the restoration tragets. Furthermore, an adjusted legislation would promote reforestation or landscape restoration initiatives to address development activities that cause land degradation. Due to limited human and financial resources, the Forest Department alone does not have the capacity to support a forest restoration program. Although some stakeholder organizations support restoration activities, there is limited local capacity to execute and /or coordinate large scale restoration efforts with strong investment. There is also not enough training and demonstration plots –with evidence, materials, and sound information– to educate famers on the advantage of adopting climate-smart agriculture practices on small and large scale systems. In fact, a successful restoration operation requires great understanding on the appropriate trees and where and how to plant and maintain them within the landscape. A repository/system of related information does not exist for Belize. Apart from the list of trees, there is also limited knowledge and information gathered on seeding, seed germination, nursery production and transplantation. Additionally, wetland ecology and bioremediation technologies are poorly understood when addressing and controlling nutrient discharge from landscapes. Therefore, through good field and literature research and the assistance of technical experts, knowledge gaps could be addressed. If we recognize that the implementation and adoption of sound smart agriculture/forestry/silvopastoral practices require clear market and financial incentives, then, special attention should be put on specific market opportunities and arrangement, as well as financial mechanisms to facilitate restoration. Although several stakeholder organizations have experience in engaging local communities in projects and activities, minimal focus is given to community livelihoods versus protected areas management and conservation initiatives. The lack of technology in the rural communities has also created poor participation in restoration actions. Suspicions of hidden motives and lifestyle restrictions imposed by conservation initiatives has also perpetuated mistrust among community members living within priority landscapes. Several communities are therefore not receptive to behavioural change that would support forest landscape restoration actions, especially if the actions are not suited for them in the short-term. On the other hand, for the communities and farmers that are interested in these actions, they lack the proper human, technological resources and market opportunities and channels. Thus, unstainable land use practices and developments continue to cause degradation and deforestation. 50 4.3. Opportunities The landscape restoration process brings about national and international opportunities that can support actions that create favourable outcomes for all parties involved in the process. A depressed economy, further exacerbated by floods and droughts, has greatly impacted farmers and their livelihoods. The degradation of nature puts economies at risk. Changes in crop supplies caused by the decline in pollinating insects alone, for instance, could result in an annual net loss of USD 191 billion, globally. To combat this challenge, a conservation-based industry could be developed that focuses on employment, reviving the weakened economy and adding true value to conservation initiatives. The NLRS would encourage the restructuring of the economy from one based on exploitation, to one grounded on maintaining and benefitting from ecological services provided by functioning landscapes, while contributing to economic and social development. Apart from the ecosystem services that restoration actions provide, crops produced using regenerative methods have increased in demand in the global market. Landscape restoration has become a global action to reverse or improve degraded or deforested landscapes. Developed nations, especially, have committed financially to restoration, and are even contributing to funding developing nations on their initiatives involving restoration actions. Collaboration among the stakeholder organizations involved in the restoration process will also yield higher funding opportunities. Since the objectives of the landscape restoration process are aligned with the REDD+ strategy, funding opportunities via the REDD+ strategy may exist. Restoration is becoming recognized as a national priority to build Belize’s resilience against climate change. There are already several ongoing projects that involve some level of restorative actions, such as the Phase 2 of the Selva Maya Program (KfW), and the New River management planning process (Mar2R). Since restoration initiatives, as a Nature Based Solution is increasingly recognized as a key driver to promote green and blue economies57, and are expanding across the globe, there are now a myriad of conservation partners, academics, and experts locally and internationally that can provide valuable information or guidance to fill capacity gaps. Key experts can also provide guidance on addressing the public on forest landscape restoration via education and outreach. 57 http://www.nbspolicyplatform.org/countries/belize/pdf/ https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/09/24/belize-plans-nature-based-solutions-in-fight-against climate-change https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/03/24/resilience-and-conservation-in-a-changing-climate-the-case-of-belize https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/03/24/resilience-and-conservation-in-a-changing-climate-the-case-of-belize 51 Monitoring and evaluation projects catered to assessing climate change impacts and climate smart agriculture practices could also be implemented, which would inform best use practices. Once the NLRS becomes established, payment for ecosystem services could be evaluated to determine if they could be integrated in restoration programs in Belize. The landscape restoration strategy aligns with several national initiatives or strategies, as well as various international agreements that Belize is party to. Landscape restoration is also consistent with several of the Sustainable Development Goals, (14.158, 15.159, 15.260 and 15.361), thus allowing for resources to be better mobilized. Therefore, the Government of Belize could be supportive and in favour of the NLRS implementation since the actions could provide necessary resources that are not currently available. The NLRS can also play an important and significant role in the economic response to the Covid-19 pandemic62. The pandemic has depressed economic demand and removed or reduced sources of income for many people . Restoring forests and other degraded landscapes requires physical labour to prepare the land, plant and tend to the trees of the newly restored vegetation. Aligning private sector business models with NLRS objectives can create long-term stable employment and economic activity in the form of workjobs that support conservation. The Forest Departments' Medium Term Development Strategy, submitted to Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Finance, is to maximize the use of natural capital through the application of nature-based solutions and to strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. This means implementation of the agroforestry policy, successful achievement of the Belize Bonn challenge pledge through the implementation of the National Landscape Restoration Strategy, and capitalization of REDD+ Carbon credits through payment for results. 58 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. 59 By 2020, sustainably manage, and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience and take action for their restoration, to achieve healthy and productive oceans. 60 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. 61 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. 62 The COVID-19 pandemic caused the global economy to shrink by an estimated 3.5% in 2020. 8.8% of global working hours were lost, equivalent to 255 million full-time jobs, and severe long-term economic consequences are predicted. 52 4.4. Threats/Challenges Landscape restoration efforts can be undermined by external factors at the national and international level. One of the major and most recent challenges has been the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in unprecedented challenges on livelihoods in Belize and the world. Due to the global international financial crisis caused by pandemic-related lockdowns and job losses, the post-pandemic economic recovery, growth and development prioritization may create a hindrance to funding forest and landscape restoration efforts. Nationally, there is also limited available financial resources since the large domestic and external debt is also prioritized. Severe climate impacts from floods, droughts, and hurricanes, also threaten economic recovery and pose significant challenges to the success of forest and landscape restoration efforts. Before the pandemic, Belize’s economic situation was already declining. Development projects have been on the rise, leading to an increase in habitat conversion/deforestation. Higher monetary value is derived from conversion versus restoration in the short term, and with the current fiscal challenges, the GOB is pressured to encourage and support large development projects and rural expansion for an increasing population. Protected areas and forest reserves have also undergone de-reservation in the past for development. The challenge with large scale developments is that they tend to focus their business models on making a profit first and foremost, rather than on minimizing or mitigating environmental and social impacts. On the other end of the spectrum, it is not a customary practice for environmental lobbyists to do a cost-benefit analysis of economic investments. The expansion of the agricultural frontier is causing massive landscape degradation and deforestation. Along the border with Guatemala, cross-border incursions and extraction of natural resources from our forests continue to pose a threat to Belize’s biodiversity and undermine territorial integrity. Furthermore, forest degradation, whether direct or indirect, has resulted from ongoing road development. Road development opens and divides forested land, which make these areas accessible for illegal logging, poaching, and conversion to agriculture. The proposed highway through the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, and the Coastal Road crosses through the Runaway Creek Private Reserve, the Manatee Forest Reserve, and Grants Work Forest Reserve, will disrupt forest connectivity. 53 5. Vision, Mission and Key Result Areas The Vision for the National Landscape Restoration Strategy (NLRS) is as follows: “Human well-being, local livelihoods, biodiversity and ecosystem services are improved via the regeneration and restoration of at least 130,000 hectares of Belize’s degraded soils, forests, and agricultural landscapes.” This following Mission is the focus of the NLRS over the medium-term (that is, between now and 2030): “Conduct forest and agricultural landscape restoration initiatives within priority areas, via the creation of the enabling environment (policies/laws), local collaboration and broad partnerships, sharing lessons learnt and experiences, and mobilizing resources, for the benefit of all Belizeans, but with a particular focus on building the capacity of farmers, rural and indigenous people, and relevant institutions.” Five Key Result Areas (KRAs) were identified (Figure 3). These KRAs are critical success factors where strong positive results must be realized for the NLRS Mission to be achieved, and therefore, move toward realizing the NLRS Vision. Strategic objectives were defined spelling out a set of feasible strategy alternatives to positively impact each Key Result Area (Figure 4). These strategic objectives and their associated strategies were incorporated into the NLRS with appropriate responsibilities and time frames assigned (see Section 7). 54 Figure 3. Philosophical Framework for the NLRS for Belize and the KRAs Vision: Human well-being, local livelihoods, biodiversity and ecosystem services are improved via the regeneration and restoration of at least 130,000 hectares of Belize's degraded soils, forests, and agricultura landscapes. NATIONAL LANDSCAPE RESTORATION STRATEGY FOR BELIZE Philosophical Framework Mission: By 2030, conduct forest and agricultural landscape restoration initiatives within priority areas, via the creation of the enabling environment (policies/laws), local collaboration and bread partnerships, sharing lessons learnt and experiences, and mobilizing resources, for the bene�t of ali Belizeans, but with a particular focus on building the capacity of farmers, rural and indigenous people, and relevant institutions. KRA #1 KRA #2 KRA #3 KRA #4 KRA #5 Enabling Environment (policies/legislation) Human Well-being and Local Livelihoods Forest and Agro-Landscape Restoration Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Resource Mobilization and Capacity Building 55 Figure 4. National Landscape Restoration Strategy Roadmap 57 6. Strategic Objectives and Actions 6.1. Enabling Environment (policies/legislation) Strategic Objective #1: By 2030, conduct a comprehensive review of pertinent laws related to landscape restoration with a view to strengthening legislation and synergies among laws. Strategic Actions: a) Establish a Multi-agency Task Force that is charged with championing and overseeing the implementation of the National Landscape Restoration Strategy (NLRS). b) Develop and implement an advocacy campaign geared at building support among all sectors for the implementation of the NLRS. c) Improve monitoring of activities, and strengthen enforcement of laws pertinent to landscape protection and restoration, including sustainable forest management and regenerative agriculture, where they exist. d) Carry out legislative analysis to identify gaps and conflicts in legislation pertaining to landscape protection and restoration, including sustainable forest management and regenerative agriculture. e) Formulate legislation to govern the development and implementation of watershed management plans. 58 6.2. Human Well-being and Local Livelihoods Strategic Objective #1: Communities develop and sustain local livelihoods and improve their well-being within prioritized agro landscapes by 2030. Strategic Actions: a) Review and determine feasible economic alternatives supporting livelihoods. b) Finance and implement short-term economic alternatives in order to support livelihoods of participating farmers. c) Institute reward, incentive and recognition mechanisms for farmers, land/forest managers, and industries that engage in restorative land management practices. 6.3. Forest and Agro Landscape Restoration Strategic Objective #1: Sustainable Forest Management in prioritized broadleaved forests is strengthened via reforestation and assisted regeneration by 2030. Strategic Actions: a) Conduct ground-truthing via forest assessments and inventory within the prioritized broadleaf forests. b) Establish the reforestation and assisted regeneration methodology for the prioritized broadleaf forests. c) Implement a reforestation and assisted regeneration program within the prioritized broadleaf forests. Strategic Objective #2: Sustainable regenerative agricultural practices/systems are being implemented in prioritized agro landscapes (excluding pastures) by 2030. Strategic Actions: a) Support and develop demonstration home gardens as a model for other homes across rural and urban areas of the country. b) Establish agroforestry systems in degraded agro landscapes (such as banana and citrus, and excluding sugar cane), including capacity building in implementation of these systems. 59 c) Establish regenerative practices in rice fields and sugar cane plantations that are degraded due to poor management. d) Restore and protect riparian zones that are within prioritized agro landscapes. Strategic Objective #3: Silvopastoral systems are being implemented in prioritized pastures (land used for livestock only) by 2030. Strategic Actions: a) Improve and enhance vegetation cover on existing pasture (grazing land). b) Expand improved fallow lands (for example, by planting trees and shrubs) that are used for grazing leaving the land to recover on its own. c) Intensify the productivity of existing grazing areas (i.e., be able to increase livestock per unit of area). 6.4. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Strategic Objective #1: By 2030, develop and implement watershed management plans in order to restore and protect Belize’s watersheds and riparian forests within priority areas. Strategic Actions: a) Rapid watershed assessments (RWAs) to identify areas that are undergoing change in order to implement restoration strategies, and inform management plan development. b) Establish a task force for each watershed with special attention to wide stakeholder consultation and inclusion in the decision making process (e.g., New River Task Force). c) Develop watershed management plans. d) Implement plans with the restoration of 6,000 hectares63 of riparian zones. e) Monitoring by the key organization and communities involved, with independent validation. 63 IUCN, 2020. 60 Strategic Objective #2: By 2030, develop and implement a national public awareness and education strategy that focuses on promoting healthy, productive and restored forests and agro landscapes, and educating Belizeans on the pertinent laws related to landscape restoration. Strategic Actions: a) Review lessons learned and challenges faced by other organizations (i.e. FCD & their Chiquibul Watershed awareness) for the implementation of public awareness and education strategy. b) NGOs and GOB collaborate to develop and plan common messages. c) Implement public awareness and education campaign via television and radio ads, social media, and morning shows, and school visits. d) Include restoration activities in the school curriculum at various levels. 6.5. Resource Mobilization and Capacity Building Strategic Objective #1: By 2030, a national landscape restoration funding mechanism is in place to support forest and agro-landscape (including silvopastures) restoration initiatives. Strategic Actions: a) Advocate for the Government of Belize to assign funding to support forest and agricultural landscape restoration as part of our Nationally Determined Contributions. b) Develop a transparent and secure mechanism through which the Environmental Management Fund (EMF) can contribute to restoration activities. c) Determine the feasibility of payment for ecosystem services (PES) mechanisms, particularly exploring the role of the private sector, so that landscape restoration initiatives are sustained and resilient. d) Develop pilot programs through large industry to finance/incentivize restoration activities. 61 Strategic Objective #2: By 2030, sustainable regenerative agricultural practices have become the norm in each district thereby strengthening food sovereignty capabilities. Strategic Actions: a) Conduct literature review on sustainable regenerative agriculture for its proper implementation within priority areas. b) Train at least 50% of the staff of the Agriculture Department and other relevant institutions in agro-landscape restoration initiatives. c) Train at least 50% of the staff of the Forest Department and other relevant institutions in forest restoration initiatives. d) Establish partnerships with participating farmers to support the implementation and oversight of restoration activities. e) Identify existing nurseries and improve at least 15 (of those identified) or establish new ones if needed across the country (community nurseries for local trees). f) Organize a Native Tree Species Restoration Group in each district to support and facilitate seed sharing and research. g) Capacity building in seed collection, storage, and management. h) Provide skills training on soil regeneration and land restoration to at least 10% of farmers and producers in each district. i) Develop 5% of farms in each district (across landholding size range) into model farms that demonstrate sustainable, restorative, and climate-smart agriculture. j) Incorporate the use of technology to maximize the impact of extension services, marketing, data collection and other areas that are key to restoration activities. k) Collate and publish experiences that document the restoration methodologies and results of participating landowners/farmers. 63 7. NLRS Implementation Schedule (2021-2030) 64 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? Ye ar 20 21 20 22 20 23 20 24 20 25 20 26 20 27 20 28 20 29 20 30 K ey R es ul t A re a #1 : E na bl in g En vi ro nm en t ( po lic ie s/ le gi sl at io n) St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : B y 20 30 , c on du ct a c om pr eh en si ve re vi ew o f p er tin en t l aw s re la te d to la nd sc ap e re st or at io n w ith a v ie w to s tr en gt he ni ng le gi sl at io n an d sy ne rg ie s am on g la w s. a) E st ab lis h a M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e th at is c ha rg ed w ith c ha m pi on in g an d ov er se ei ng th e im pl em en ta tio n of th e N at io na l L an ds ca pe R es to ra tio n St ra te gy (N LR S) . X b) D ev el op a nd im pl em en t a n ad vo ca cy c am pa ig n ge ar ed a t b ui ld in g su pp or t a m on g al l s ec to rs fo r t he im pl em en ta tio n of th e N LR S. X X X X X X X X X X c) I m pr ov e m on ito rin g of a ct iv iti es , a nd s tre ng th en e nf or ce m en t o f l aw s pe rti ne nt to la nd sc ap e pr ot ec tio n an d re st or at io n, in cl ud in g su st ai na bl e fo re st m an ag em en t a nd re ge ne ra tiv e ag ric ul tu re , w he re th ey e xi st . X X X X X X X X X X d) C ar ry o ut le gi sl at iv e an al ys is to id en tif y ga ps a nd c on fli ct s in le gi sl at io n pe rta in in g to la nd sc ap e pr ot ec tio n an d re st or at io n, in cl ud in g su st ai na bl e fo re st m an ag em en t a nd re ge ne ra tiv e ag ric ul tu re . X X X e) F or m ul at e le gi sl at io n to g ov er n th e de ve lo pm en t a nd im pl em en ta tio n of w at er sh ed m an ag em en t p la ns . X X X X X X X X X X K ey R es ul t A re a #2 : H um an W el l-b ei ng a nd L oc al L iv el ih oo ds St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : C om m un iti es d ev el op a nd s us ta in lo ca l l iv el ih oo ds a nd im pr ov e th ei r w el l-b ei ng w ith in p rio rit iz ed a gr o la nd sc ap es b y 20 30 . a) R ev ie w a nd d et er m in e fe as ib le e co no m ic a lte rn at iv es s up po rti ng liv el ih oo ds . X X X b) F in an ce a nd im pl em en t s ho rt te rm e co no m ic a lte rn at iv es in o rd er to su pp or t l iv el ih oo ds o f p ar tic ip at in g fa rm er s. X X X X X X X c) I ns tit ut e re w ar d, in ce nt iv e an d re co gn iti on m ec ha ni sm s fo r f ar m er s, la nd /fo re st m an ag er s, a nd in du st rie s th at e ng ag e in re st or at iv e la nd m an ag em en t p ra ct ic es . X X X X X X X K ey R es ul t A re a #3 : F or es t a nd A gr o La nd sc ap e R es to ra tio n St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : S us ta in ab le F or es t M an ag em en t i n pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le av ed fo re st s is s tr en gt he ne d vi a re fo re st at io n an d as si st ed re ge ne ra tio n by 2 03 0. 65 a) C on du ct g ro un d tru th in g vi a fo re st a ss es sm en ts a nd in ve nt or y w ith in th e pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le af fo re st s. X X b) E st ab lis h th e re fo re st at io n an d as si st ed re ge ne ra tio n m et ho do lo gy fo r t he pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le af fo re st s. X X c) I m pl em en t a re fo re st at io n an d as si st ed re ge ne ra tio n pr og ra m w ith in th e pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le af fo re st s. X X X X X X X X St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #2 : S us ta in ab le re ge ne ra tiv e ag ric ul tu ra l p ra ct ic es /s ys te m s ar e be in g im pl em en te d in p rio rit iz ed a gr o la nd sc ap es (e xc lu di ng pa st ur es ) b y 20 30 . a) S up po rt an d de ve lo p de m on st ra tio n ho m e ga rd en s as a m od el fo r o th er ho m es a cr os s ru ra l a nd u rb an a re as o f t he c ou nt ry X X X X b) E st ab lis h ag ro fo re st ry s ys te m s in d eg ra de d ag ro la nd sc ap es (s uc h as ba na na a nd c itr us ; e xc lu di ng s ug ar c an e) , i nc lu di ng c ap ac ity b ui ld in g in im pl em en ta tio n of th es e sy st em s X X X X X X X X c) E st ab lis h re ge ne ra tiv e pr ac tic es in ri ce fi el ds a nd s ug ar c an e pl an ta tio ns th at a re d eg ra de d du e to p oo r m an ag em en t X X X X X X X X d) R es to re a nd p ro te ct ri pa ria n zo ne s th at a re w ith in p rio rit iz ed a gr o la nd sc ap es X X X X St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #3 : S ilv op as to ra l s ys te m s ar e be in g im pl em en te d in p rio rit iz ed p as tu re s (la nd u se d fo r l iv es to ck o nl y) b y 20 30 . a) Im pr ov e an d en ha nc e ve ge ta tio n co ve r o n ex is tin g pa st ur e (g ra zi ng la nd ) X X X X X X X X X b) E xp an d im pr ov ed fa llo w la nd s (fo r e xa m pl e, b y pl an tin g tre es a nd sh ru bs ) t ha t a re u se d fo r g ra zi ng le av in g th e la nd to re co ve r o n its o w n X X X X X X X X X c) I nt en si fy th e pr od uc tiv ity o f e xi st in g gr az in g ar ea s (i. e. , b e ab le to in cr ea se li ve st oc k pe r u ni t o f a re a) X X X X X X K ey R es ul t A re a #4 : B io di ve rs ity a nd E co sy st em S er vi ce s St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : B y 20 30 , d ev el op a nd im pl em en t w at er sh ed m an ag em en t p la ns in o rd er to re st or e an d pr ot ec t B el iz e’ s w at er sh ed s an d rip ar ia n fo re st s w ith in p rio rit y ar ea s. a) R ap id w at er sh ed a ss es sm en ts (R W As ) t o id en tif y ar ea s th at a re un de rg oi ng c ha ng e in o rd er to im pl em en t r es to ra tio n st ra te gi es , a nd in fo rm m an ag em en t p la n de ve lo pm en t. X X 66 b) E st ab lis h a ta sk fo rc e fo r e ac h w at er sh ed w ith s pe ci al a tte nt io n to w id e st ak eh ol de r c on su lta tio n an d in cl us io n in th e de ci si on m ak in g pr oc es s (e .g ., N ew R iv er T as k Fo rc e) . X X X X c) D ev el op w at er sh ed m an ag em en t p la ns . X X X X d) Im pl em en t p la ns w ith th e re st or at io n of 6 ,0 00 h ec ta re s of ri pa ria n zo ne s. X X X X X e) M on ito rin g by th e ke y or ga ni za tio n an d co m m un iti es in vo lv ed , w ith in de pe nd en t v al id at io n. X X X X St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #2 : B y 20 30 , d ev el op a nd im pl em en t a n at io na l p ub lic a w ar en es s an d ed uc at io n st ra te gy th at fo cu se s on p ro m ot in g he al th y, pr od uc tiv e an d re st or ed fo re st s an d ag ro la nd sc ap es , a nd e du ca tin g B el iz ea ns o n th e pe rt in en t l aw s re la te d to la nd sc ap e re st or at io n. a) R ev ie w le ss on s le ar ne d an d ch al le ng es fa ce d by o th er o rg an iz at io ns (i .e . FC D & th ei r C hi qu ib ul W at er sh ed a w ar en es s) fo r t he im pl em en ta tio n of pu bl ic a w ar en es s an d ed uc at io n st ra te gy . X X b) N G O s an d G O B co lla bo ra te to d ev el op a nd p la n co m m on m es sa ge s. X X c) I m pl em en t p ub lic a w ar en es s an d ed uc at io n ca m pa ig n vi a te le vi si on a nd ra di o ad s, s oc ia l m ed ia , a nd m or ni ng s ho w s, a nd s ch oo l v is its . X X X d) In cl ud e re st or at io n ac tiv iti es in th e sc ho ol c ur ric ul um a t v ar io us le ve ls . X X X K ey R es ul t A re a #5 : R es ou rc e M ob ili za tio n an d C ap ac ity B ui ld in g St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : B y 20 30 , a n at io na l l an ds ca pe re st or at io n fu nd in g m ec ha ni sm is in p la ce to s up po rt fo re st a nd a gr o la nd sc ap e (in cl ud in g si lv op as tu re s) re st or at io n in iti at iv es . a) A dv oc at e fo r t he G ov er nm en t o f B el iz e to a ss ig n fu nd in g to s up po rt fo re st a nd a gr ic ul tu ra l l an ds ca pe re st or at io n as p ar t o f o ur N at io na lly D et er m in ed C on tri bu tio ns . X X X → b) D ev el op a tr an sp ar en t a nd s ec ur e m ec ha ni sm th ro ug h w hi ch th e En vi ro nm en ta l M an ag em en t F un d (E M F) c an c on tri bu te to re st or at io n ac tiv iti es . X X c) D et er m in e th e fe as ib ilit y of p ay m en t f or e co sy st em s er vi ce s (P ES ) m ec ha ni sm s, p ar tic ul ar ly e xp lo rin g th e ro le o f t he p riv at e se ct or , s o th at la nd sc ap e re st or at io n in iti at iv es a re s us ta in ed a nd re si lie nt . X X c) D ev el op p ilo t p ro gr am s th ro ug h la rg e in du st ry to fi na nc e/ in ce nt iv iz e re st or at io n ac tiv iti es . X X X X X X X X 67 St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #2 : B y 20 30 , s us ta in ab le re ge ne ra tiv e ag ric ul tu ra l p ra ct ic es h av e be co m e th e no rm in e ac h di st ric t t he re by s tr en gt he ni ng fo od so ve re ig nt y ca pa bi lit ie s. a) C on du ct li te ra tu re re vi ew o n su st ai na bl e re ge ne ra tiv e ag ric ul tu re fo r i ts pr op er im pl em en ta tio n w ith in p rio rit y ar ea s. X X X b) T ra in a t l ea st 5 0% o f t he s ta ff of th e Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t a nd o th er re le va nt in st itu tio ns in a gr o la nd sc ap e re st or at io n in iti at iv es . X X X X c) T ra in a t l ea st 5 0% o f t he s ta ff of th e Fo re st D ep ar tm en t a nd o th er re le va nt in st itu tio ns in fo re st re st or at io n in iti at iv es . X X X X d) E st ab lis h pa rtn er sh ip s w ith p ar tic ip at in g fa rm er s to s up po rt th e im pl em en ta tio n an d ov er si gh t o f r es to ra tio n ac tiv iti es . X X X e) Id en tif y ex is tin g nu rs er ie s an d im pr ov e at le as t 1 5 (o f t ho se id en tifi ed ) o r es ta bl is h ne w o ne s if ne ed ed a cr os s th e co un try (c om m un ity n ur se rie s fo r l oc al tr ee s) . X X f) O rg an iz e a N at iv e Tr ee S pe ci es R es to ra tio n G ro up in e ac h di st ric t t o su pp or t a nd fa ci lit at e se ed s ha rin g an d re se ar ch . X X g) C ap ac ity b ui ld in g in s ee d co lle ct io n, s to ra ge a nd m an ag em en t. X X X h) P ro vi de s ki lls tr ai ni ng o n so il re ge ne ra tio n an d la nd re st or at io n to a t l ea st 10 % o f f ar m er s an d pr od uc er s in e ac h di st ric t. X X X X X X i) D ev el op 5 % o f f ar m s in e ac h di st ric t ( ac ro ss la nd ho ld in g si ze ra ng e) in to m od el fa rm s th at d em on st ra te s us ta in ab le , r es to ra tiv e, a nd c lim at e sm ar t ag ric ul tu re . X X X X X X X X X X j) In co rp or at e th e us e of te ch no lo gy to m ax im iz e th e im pa ct o f e xt en si on se rv ic es , m ar ke tin g, d at a co lle ct io n an d ot he r a re as th at a re k ey to re st or at io n ac tiv iti es . X X X X X X k) C ol la te a nd p ub lis h ex pe rie nc es th at d oc um en t t he re st or at io n m et ho do lo gi es a nd re su lts o f p ar tic ip at in g la nd ow ne rs /fa rm er s X X X X X X X X X X 68 References Belize National Agroforestry Policy (NAP) (DRAFT). (TBD). National Climate Change Office. Belize Network of NGOs (BNN). (2020). National Recovery Strategy. Chavarria, O.C. (2019). Informe técnico Final – Mapa de oportunidades de restauración de Belice. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit. Cherrington, E., Ek, E., Cho, P., Howell, B. F., Hernandez, B. E., Anderson, E. R., Flores, A.I., Garcia, B.C., Sempris, E., & Irwin, D. E. (2010). Forest Cover and Deforestation in Belize: 1980–2010. CIAT, World Bank. (2018). Climate-Smart Agriculture in Belize. CSA Country Profiles for Latin America and the Caribbean Series. International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT); World Bank, Washington, D.C. Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI). (2016). Belize Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment & Sustainable Development. Elliott, S. D., Blakesley, D., & Hardwick, K. (2013). Restoring Tropical Forests: a practical guide. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. FAO. 2015. AQUASTAT Country Profile – Belize. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Forest Department. (2020). Belize Forest Reference Level, 2001 - 2015. Belmopan City: Government of Belize. GOB. (2021). Economic Performance and Fiscal Review [Presentation]. Ministry of Finance. Government of Belize (GOB) & International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD). (2020). Resilient Rural Belize (Be-Resilient) Financing Agreement- Draft for Negotiations. Gutierrez, C.J.M. (2020). Benefits derived from the restoration of the productive rural landscape in Belize. IUCN. Itza, C.A. (2019). Report on Belize Current Land Inventory and Description. IUCN and WRI (2014). A guide to the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM): Assessing forest landscape restoration opportunities at the national or sub national level. Working Paper (Road-test edition). Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. 125 pp. IUCN. (2020). Third ROAM phase: Cost-benefit and Co-benefit Analysis [PowerPoint Presentation]. 69 IUCN. (n.d). The Bonn Challenge. Retrieved June 8, 2021, from https://www.iucn.org/theme/ forests/our-work/forest-landscape-restoration/bonn-challenge Matus, M. (2020). Towards Food Security Post Covid-19 [Presentation]. Ministry of Food and Agriculture. National Agriculture and Food Policy of Belize (NAFP), 2015-2030. (2015). Ministry of Agriculture. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2016-2020. (2016). Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment and Sustainable Development. National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan to Address Climate Change in Belize (NCCPSAP). (2014). Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) & Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development. National Environmental Policy and Strategy (NEPS), 2014-2024. (2014). Department of Environment. Roberson, B. (2017, May). An Overview of Land Taxes on Agricultural Property Past, Present and Future. The Belize Ag Report, Issue 36. Salas, O. (2015). National Forest Policy. Forest Department. Sanchez-Monge, M. (2020). Definition of landscape restoration practices on forest land designation with the application of the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) in Belize. Consultant Report. Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). (2018). Percent of Total GDP by Activity, 1992-2018. http:// sib.org.bz/statistics/gross-domestic-product/ Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). (2021). Key Indicators. http://sib.org.bz The World Bank. (2021). GDP growth (annual %) – Belize. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=BZ Trejo, J. (2020, May 13). New Controlled Prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Belize Bureau of Standards. Trejo, J. (2021, January 8). New Controlled Prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Belize Bureau of Standards. 70 Annex 1: Belize national pledge letter 71 72 Annex 2: Persons Interviewed for PESTEL Analysis 1. Beth Roberson, Belize Ag Report. 2. Colin Mattis, National Climate Change Office. 3. Edilberto Romero, Programme for Belize. 4. Elma Kay, Environmental Research Institute University of Belize. 5. Heron Moreno, Corozal Sustainable Future Initiatives. 6. Marcelino Avila, Agroforestry Policy Consultant. 7. Nayari Diaz-Perez, Protected Areas Conservation Trust. 8. Pablo Mis, Maya Leaders Association. 9. Rafael Manzanero, Friends for Conservation and Development. 10. Said Gutierrez, Ya’axché Conservation Trust. 11. Sam Mathias, Bananas Growers Association. 12. William Neal, Belize Sugar Industry/ American Sugar Refining. Annex 3: Participants of the process The ROAM process, by principle and by design, requires the active engagement of a variety of stakeholders. In the case of Belize, two main consultation bodies were formed for this purpose: • The National Restoration Round Table. • The Gender and Restoration Committee. In National Restoration Round Table, governmental institutions and representatives from the private sector were the most represented sectors, and it also included the participation of civil society, indigenous people and academic sectors (refer to Annex 1 for a complete list of participants). The following figure shows institutional and organization actors that constituted in the National Restoration Round Table and the main sectors represented: 73 Governmet Agriculture Department Forest Department National Restoration Roundtable Lands Department Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Mangement Rural Development National Climate Change Office Citrus Growers Association Belize Livestock Association Banana Growers Association University of Belize REDD+ Civil society Indigenous people Academy Private sector Figure 5. Member organizations and sectors represented in the National Restoration Round Table In the case of the Gender and Restoration Committee, governmental institutions and representatives of the indigenous people were the most represented sectors, and it also included the participation of civil society, youth groups and academic sectors (refer to Annex 1 for a complete list of participants). The following figure shows institutional and organization actors that constituted in the Gender and Restoration Committee and the main sectors represented: 74 Governmet Civil society Indigenous people Academy Youth Department of Environment Forest Department Gender and Restoration Committee University of Belize National Women’s Commission of Belize (NWC) Inno’on La Oh Maya group Belize Audubon Society Ya’ache Conservation Trust Northern Maya Association of Belize Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management Belize Indigenous Council (BENIC) Figure 6. Member organizations and sectors represented in the Gender and Restoration Committee The consultation process The two participatory bodies (National Restoration Round Table and Gender and Restoration Committee) played a key role in the consultation processes of the ROAM, that were organized in 3 phases. On each phase a series of workshops were organized in which technical inputs were shared and the inputs and feedback from the different stakeholders were collected to inform the next steps of the process. The table below summarizes the consultation process carried out: 75 Phases First consultation phase Second consultation phase Third consultation phase Main objectives • Define key ecosystem services. • Identify key degradation processes. • Agree restoration criteria. • Identify sources of information per criterion. • Define restoration strategies. • Agree transitions. • Agree transitions & services matrix. • Results matrix. • Transitions assessed by zone or landscape. • Criteria for prioritizing. Participants • The National Restoration Round Table • The Gender and Restoration Committee Workshops • First gender and restoration workshop: “Integrating gender approach in the selection of criteria for landscape restoration opportunities areas in Belize". Date: March 26th 2019. • First national restoration workshop: “Selection of criteria for the landscape restoration opportunities areas in Belize”. Date: March 29th 2019. • Second gender and restoration workshop Validate the Belize opportunity restoration map and identify restoration actions. Date: July 1st 2019 and July 2nd 2019. • Second national restoration workshop of Belize National Restoration Round Table: “Definition of restoration actions”. Date: July the 2nd 2019. • Third meeting of Belize National Restoration Round Table: “Socialization of the opportunity restoration map and actions. Date: February 27, 2020. • Fourth meeting of Belize National Restoration Round Table: Prioritization of restoration areas. Date: September 29th, 2020. 76 Land use Restoration Detailed activities Direct benefits Banana production Improved variety, good agricultural practices and soil management. • Composing to apply soil fertilizer and amendments. • Soil amendments to improve soil organic matter. • Biofertilizer and biopesticides. Banana production. Rice production Improved variety and good agricultural practices. • Planing high yielding varieties. • Water-efficient irrigation (alternate wetting and drying). • Rice production. Sugarcane production Good agricultural practices, soil management and green harvesting. • Eliminate second residue burning. • Residue should be treated with an effective microorganism or other bio-products to decompose. • Bio-products to be applied five times per cane cycle during the residue management and on leaves. • Apply soil amendments or increase organic matter in the soil. • Sugar production. • Compost. • Biofertilizer. • Biopesticide. Livestock Silvopastoral system • Establish better biomass producing grass to ensure better animal nutrition. • Establish trees to serve as shading. • Establish trees that serve as a protein source. • Plant fruits trees or other edible grafted crops that can serve as feed during droughts. • Cattle live weight production. • Timber production. • Fruit production. • Protein biomass. Citrus production and coconut production Citus-coconut system with good agricultural practices and soil management. • Reduce soil erosion by introducing cover crops. • Intercropping with coconut trees. • Development of biopesticide to eliminate vector and boost crop nutrition. Application of organic sources to improve crop organic matter and improve soil fertility. • Orange production. • Coconut production. Annex 4: Restoration Actions for Agro and Forest Landscapes 77 Land use Forest landscape restoration action Inside protected areas Deforested and heavily degraded broadleaf forests within protected areas (IUCN categories I, II and III). Assisted succession through nucleation techniques. Broadly degraded broadleaf forest in protected areas (IUCN categories IV, V and VI). Regeneration assisted with ecological restoration techniques. Broadleaf and mixed forest within protected areas (for all classes) degraded (low and medium) Passive regeneration. Outside protected areas High degraded broadleaf and mixed forest. Assisted regeneration with enrichment planting in strips. Moderate and low degraded broadleaf and mixed forest Assisted regeneration for a sustainable forest management model. High degraded pine forest Assisted regeneration with enrichment planting in strips. Moderate and low Assisted regeneration with enrichment planting in lines. Annex 5: The Planning Process The NLRS Planning Process comprised the following four Phases: 1. Preparation Phase: a) Preparation of Work Plan. b) Literature compilation and review. c) Preliminary mapping of policies, programmes, and projects, laws and regulations where restoration actions agreed in Belize are currently being promoted. 2. Environmental Monitoring Phase: a) Conducted stakeholder consultations on the political, economic, social, technological, ecological, and legal (PESTEL) factors related to the current state of degradation, drivers of deforestation, degradation, and land use change. 78 b) Consolidation of the findings of literature review and consultations into a draft PESTEL matrix (the external context). c) Summarize PESTEL results into a description of the legal, political, socio-cultural, economic, and environmental context of Belize related to the current state of degradation, drivers of deforestation, degradation and land use changes. 3. The Planning Phase: a) Planning to Plan: Which individuals will participate in the SP process? What is the desired implementation timeframe for the Strategic Plan? Who will be the key champions of the plan? How much detail required to operationalize the plan? What will be “fleshed out” immediately and what will be developed over time? Planning workshop schedule? b) Planning Workshop #1: PESTEL presentation (situational assessment), defining Vision, defining Mission. c) Planning Workshop #2: Unpacking the Mission, defining Key Result Areas, How will the KRAs be done? Performance Audit (SWOT Analysis). d) Planning Workshop #3: Defining Strategic Activities, Critical Success Factors and Indicators. e) Planning Workshop #4: Action Planning – What are the core/vital strategic actions that must be implemented? f) Development of the NLRS Results Framework. 4. Reporting Phase: a) Prepare the first draft of the Strategic Plan. b) Submission of final Strategic Plan. 79 Strengths: ● The landscape restoration process facilitates the creation of an inclusive set of plans that can succeed because communities are involved from the beginning. ● The landscape restoration process is a multi-faceted initiative that involves different experts, all of whom shall require orientation and training, equipping, and supporting that can also be facilitated through a collective of organizations with connections and technical experts. ● Alienated communities, especially rural poor communities that feel voiceless and overlooked, would welcome the opportunity to become involved in designing strategies to revitalize the landscape and revitalize their lives, find a voice, participate in a national initiative, perhaps creating a model of stewardship. ● Youths and young adults in need of jobs are eager to engage in meaningful employment, learn new skills, and engage in something positive that benefits everyone, given the potential to instil the sustainability of planting trees and encouraging reforestation as nature-based strategies for adaptation to climate change. ● A collective of powerful and focused organizations. ● Enhanced and improved collaboration between organizations and the Government. ● The Forest Department has working relations with conservation NGOs already involved in PA management and FLR ROAM assessments. Weaknesses: ● A less than adequate understanding of working with eroding processes and cultural practices within Belize to successfully plant appropriate trees within the appropriate positions within the landscape under restoration and ensure those trees to grow. This can be rectified with a bit of remote imagery and field survey research. ● Lack of a relatively complete list of trees appropriate for inclusion in a landscape restoration project, along with information on seeding, seed germination, nursery production and transplantation are issues, but all of this can be provided through a good literature search and involvement of tropical dendrology experts. ● A poor understanding of wetland ecology and bioremediation technology, which can go hand in hand when discussing control of nutrient discharge from landscapes, hampers both the conservation and restoration of wetlands and the application of effective bioremediation engineering. This set of issues can also be resolved by involving qualified experts. ● The lack of a coordinated approach to landscape restoration efforts. ● Limited financial resources to implement targets. ● Inadequate staff competency. ● Limited collaboration and mutual understanding among organizations. ● Limited human resources dedicated to restoration and technical assistance for restoration. Annex 6: SWOT Analysis Results 80 ● Stakeholder organizations have the will and desire to see this project through. ● Ability to convene stakeholders nationally given our small size. ● Experience with community engagement and planning. ● Experience with some forest landscape restoration activities. ● Solid system in place for sustainable forest management on which restoration and assisted regeneration requirements can be layered. ● Certain foundations are already in place in terms of restoration, such as implementing climate smart agricultural practices/ systems and tree planting campaigns. ● Climate smart agriculture training and demonstration plots are being promoted and set up to educate farmers on the advantage of adopting such practices. ● Stakeholder organizations provide a national public awareness and education strategy that focuses on promoting healthy, productive and minimal environmental impact. ● Majority of organizations in Belize have access to funding and have great project writing and project management abilities. ● Communities are engaged when it comes to the sustainable management programs and community forestry programs developed by the Forest Department. ● Maintain effective ecosystem goods and services. ● Access to a forest monitoring system to generate the Belize land use map. ● International partners that could assist in restoration activities. ● Most organizations are doing biodiversity monitoring and other monitoring related ● Coordination for implementation of national policies and plans needs to be improved to have collaboration as a practice. ● Inability of conservation organizations to reach/influence some of the key private sector groups that need to be involved in restoration. ● Insufficient enforcement of legislation or implementation policies to enable restoration efforts. ● Limited training and demonstration plots to encourage farmers on the advantage of adopting such Climate Smart Agriculture practices on small- and large-scale systems. ● Due to limited resources, community engagement is not where it needs to be. More focus is given to protected areas and less to community livelihoods. ● There is no reforestation or restoration legislation in place after degradation activities. ● There is no restoration program in place to guide restoration activities within the Forest Department. ● Forest Landscape Restoration is not programmed in work plans. ● Poor inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral collaborative track record. ● Limited local capacity with the knowledge to execute large scale restoration. ● Insufficient organization among local farmers. ● Lack of trust among community members living within the landscape of focus seems like a local situation but is found around the world. Many people, especially in rural communities, are often suspicious of hidden motives and restrictions placed on their lifestyles. 81 to ecosystem services to measure the effectiveness of our actions. ● The Forest Department is geographically positioned in most districts which allows for a decentralized deployment of resources; district offices also have nurseries. ● Farmers, producers and rural inhabitants understand and recognize the degradation problem. ● Existing collaborations with organizations focused on large scale restoration of degraded lands. ● Existing collaborations with organizations utilizing agriculture technologies to monitor the restoration process. ● Access to organizations which are demonstrating large scale restoration projects. ● Great project writing and project management abilities can be leveraged amongst organizations to work as a collective to implement the strategy. ● Increasing opportunities exist to involve and engage communities and to make community activities more compatible with protection activities/protected areas. ● Conflicting policies, laws and practices, and lack of implementation and coordinated legislation and policy to support restoration efforts. ● Continued unsustainable land use practices and developments. ● Communities not receptive to behavioural change and accepting FLR. ● Poor participation from local and rural communities due to the lack of technology. ● Lack of "critical mass" for implementing the NLRS action plan. Opportunities: ● Impacts of a depressed economy are exaggerated by recent floods and droughts taking a toll on farmers. Here is the opportunity to help develop a conservation based industry that builds capital for now and the future while contributing to the revival of a weakened economy by providing jobs that invest in people and add true value to conservation initiatives. ● Developed nation’s financial commitments to restoration efforts at the global level. Threats: ● The Covid-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges on livelihoods. ● Post-Covid economic recovery, growth and development prioritization may create a hindrance to funding forest restoration efforts. ● Due to the global international financial crisis, there may be limited/reducing funding opportunities. 82 ● Lack of available financial resources nationally, related to unsustainable domestic and external debt levels. ● Political corruption is a major issue. Any initiative running counter to some agreement made between political officials and corporate representatives tends to be opposed, derailed, or otherwise stopped or reduced. ● Corporate resistance can be very disruptive to long term conservation plans, such as a piece of property within a national corridor placed on the market. ● Impacts of climate extremes (floods, droughts, hurricanes) threaten economic recovery and represent great challenges to the success of forest restoration efforts, functions of bioremediation systems, etc. ● The International Court of Justice decision concerning the future of Belize’s territorial integrity. Land hungry Guatemalans could pour into Belize's western forests and areas just as they did in the Petén, and within a decade the impacts that degraded the massive Petén Forest could be replicated in Belize. ● The poverty and population pressure in Guatemala is causing illegal immigration and extraction of natural resources in our forests - cross border incursions. ● The current economic situation leading to increased habitat conversion/ deforestation rather than restoration; higher monetary value to be derived from conversion vs. restoration – GOB facing tremendous pressure with the current fiscal situation. ● The environmental lobbyists tend to not evaluate the economic investments that have to be made (e.g., renewable energy is expensive to do in the short term. ● Restoration is becoming recognized as a national priority in building national resilience. ● The restructuring of the economy from one based on exploitation to one grounded on maintaining and benefiting from ecological services provided by functioning landscapes that are protected and maintained in functional states. (Focus on the Green Economy and the Blue Economy for wetlands and mangroves). ● Greater collaboration can yield to higher funding opportunities to implement the strategy; International funding available for restoration – e.g., phase 2 of the Selva Maya Program (KfW), restoration of the New River (Mar2R), and other organizations interested in Belize, i.e. WRI, WWF, Coca Cola, UNDP, REDD+, Regent Tropics (initiatives for restoration). ● Access to a wide network of conservation partners, academics, and experts from the region to assist filling of capacity gaps. ● Access to a variety of local species to employ in restoration efforts. ● Partnerships to implement monitoring and evaluation projects that pertain to climate change impacts and climate smart agriculture practices. ● Integrate programs for payment for ecosystem services – e.g., water rights. ● The SDGs – there are several SDGs under which we can make contributions in terms of mobilizing resources that could make a significant contribution to the program – need to make that connection so we can better mobilize resources. ● GOB would be very favourable to the program because it can capture resources 83 ● Road development directly and indirectly leads to forest degradation. Road development opens forested land, which could become converted to agriculture (e.g., proposed highway through the RBCMA which could disrupt forest connectivity). ● Expansion of the agricultural frontier resulting in more deforestation. ● Further degradation of standing forest in all lands (public, private and communal) ● De-reservation of protected areas and forest reserves. ● International organizations who may be supporting chemical based mono-cropping systems. ● Business models that make profit the absolute priority rather than environmental and social impact. that may not be readily available at the moment. ● Will contribute to the different international agreements Belize is party to. ● The environmental lobby – positive via additional resources, and support of sustainable development. ● Increased road development. ● Alignment of the REDD+ strategy along with the NLR Strategy, therefore increased funding opportunity for the NLRS and policy support. ● Alignment of Forest Department Sustainable Forest Management strategies to NLR strategy. ● Alignment of the National Determined Contribution (NDC) to the NLR strategy, especially since the NDC has defined areas to be restored. ● Identification and mobilization of funding opportunities and resources. ● Coordinate among key agencies the sensitization of the public on FLR via education and outreach. ● Demand is increasing for crops produced using regenerative methods. 84 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? K ey R es ul t A re a #1 : E na bl in g En vi ro nm en t ( po lic ie s/ le gi sl at io n) St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : B y 20 30 , c on du ct a c om pr eh en si ve re vi ew o f p er tin en t l aw s re la te d to la nd sc ap e re st or at io n w ith a v ie w to s tr en gt he ni ng le gi sl at io n an d sy ne rg ie s am on g la w s a) E st ab lis h a M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e th at is c ha rg ed w ith c ha m pi on in g an d ov er se ei ng th e im pl em en ta tio n of th e N at io na l L an ds ca pe R es to ra tio n St ra te gy (N LR S) . Fo re st D ep ar tm en t ( w ith C ab in et e nd or se m en t). Te rm o f R ef er en ce o f t he Ta sk F or ce ; In au gu ra l M ee tin g; Sc he du le d M ee tin gs a nd M in ut es . By th e en d of 2 02 1. • F or es t D ep ar tm en t, Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t, D O E, In du st rie s, A ca de m ia , an d C iv il So ci et y ag re e to fo rm th e Ta sk F or ce . • T as k Fo rc e Pr op os al C ab in et Pa pe r i s co s po ns or ed b y th e M in is te rs o f S D C C D R M , AF SE , a nd H D FI PA , a nd en do rs ed b y C ab in et . b) D ev el op a nd im pl em en t a n ad vo ca cy ca m pa ig n ge ar ed a t b ui ld in g su pp or t a m on g al l s ec to rs fo r t he im pl em en ta tio n of th e N LR S. M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e (F or es t D ep ar tm en t, Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t, D O E, In du st rie s, Ac ad em ia , & C iv il So ci et y) . Ad vo ca cy C am pa ig n Pl an ; Pr oj ec t R ep or ts . 20 21 on w ar d. • F un di ng s ec ur ed to im pl em en t t he c am pa ig n. c) I m pr ov e m on ito rin g of a ct iv iti es , an d st re ng th en e nf or ce m en t o f l aw s pe rti ne nt to la nd sc ap e pr ot ec tio n an d re st or at io n, in cl ud in g su st ai na bl e fo re st m an ag em en t a nd re ge ne ra tiv e ag ric ul tu re , w he re th ey e xi st . G ov er nm en t A ge nc ie s (A gr ic ul tu re D ep ar tm en t, Fo re st D ep ar tm en t, D O E, H yd ro lo gy D ep ar tm en t). M on ito rin g si te v is its to p rio rit y w at er sh ed s in cr ea se d. 20 21 on w ar d. • R es ou rc e av ai la bi lit y (h um an & fi na nc ia l). • K ey e xp er t e ng ag em en t • S tro ng in te ra ge nc y co lla bo ra tio n. Annex 7: Results Framework 85 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? d) C ar ry o ut le gi sl at iv e an al ys is to id en tif y ga ps a nd c on fli ct s in le gi sl at io n pe rta in in g to la nd sc ap e pr ot ec tio n an d re st or at io n, in cl ud in g su st ai na bl e fo re st m an ag em en t a nd re ge ne ra tiv e ag ric ul tu re . M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e – su bc om m itt ee ; So lic ito r G en er al ; At to rn ey G en er al ; Le ga l C on su lta nt . C om pl et ed le gi sl at iv e an al ys is a nd c on tra ct in g of a le gi sl at iv e co ns ul ta nt . 20 21 20 23 . • P ol iti ca l w ill. • K ey e xp er t e ng ag em en t. • L eg is la tiv e an al ys is in cl ud es a re vi ew o f a ll di st ric t l an d va lu at io n ta bl es in o rd er to re co gn iz e th e va lu e of fo re st s an d its e co sy st em se rv ic es . e) F or m ul at e le gi sl at io n to g ov er n th e de ve lo pm en t a nd im pl em en ta tio n of w at er sh ed m an ag em en t p la ns . M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e; So lic ito r G en er al ; At to rn ey G en er al ’s M in is try . Im pr ov ed le gi sl at iv e ag en da ; D ra ft le gi sl at io n co m pl et ed . 20 21 on w ar d; C on cu rre nt to # 4, 1a . • W ith a tte nt io n to in st itu tio na l re sp on si bi lit ie s, a nd en vi ro nm en ta l a nd ec ol og ic al s ta nd ar ds to b e m et . • K ey e xp er t e ng ag em en t. • P ol iti ca l w ill. K ey R es ul t A re a #2 : H um an W el l-b ei ng a nd L oc al L iv el ih oo ds St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : C om m un iti es d ev el op a nd s us ta in lo ca l l iv el ih oo ds a nd im pr ov e th ei r w el l-b ei ng w ith in p rio rit iz ed a gr o la nd sc ap es b y 20 30 a) R ev ie w a nd d et er m in e fe as ib le ec on om ic a lte rn at iv es s up po rti ng liv el ih oo ds . Pr oj ec t i m pl em en ta tio n ag en ci es a lo ng w ith F D an d N G O s in c ol la bo ra tio n w ith o th er a ge nc ie s su ch as B EL TR AI D E, B M D C . At le as t 3 to 5 a lte rn at iv e liv el ih oo d in iti at iv es id en tifi ed . 20 21 20 23 . • S ec ur ed fu nd in g. • A t l ea st tw o fin an ci ng in st itu tio ns e ng ag ed . • D on or a ge nc y( ie s) id en tifi ed . 86 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? b) F in an ce a nd im pl em en t s ho rt te rm ec on om ic a lte rn at iv es in o rd er to su pp or t l iv el ih oo ds o f p ar tic ip at in g fa rm er s. M in is try o f L oc al G ov er nm en t; Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; N G O s (s uc h as Y a’ ax ch é) ; C om m un iti es . 10 % o f f ar m er s in vo lv ed in al te rn at iv e liv el ih oo ds . 20 23 20 30 . 9, 66 3 fa rm er s (B AI M S, 2 01 8) • C or oz al – 3 ,0 09 . • O ra ng e W al k – 2, 89 1. • C ay o – 1, 71 5. • Be liz e – 54 9. • St an n C re ek – 4 44 . • To le do – 1 ,0 55 . c) I ns tit ut e re w ar d, in ce nt iv e an d re co gn iti on m ec ha ni sm s fo r f ar m er s, la nd /fo re st m an ag er s, a nd in du st rie s th at e ng ag e in re st or at iv e la nd m an ag em en t p ra ct ic es . M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e; M in is try o f F in an ce . N um be r o f p ar tic ip at in g fa rm er s, la nd / f or es t m an ag er s, a nd in du st rie s 20 23 20 30 . • Se cu re d fu nd in g. • G O B su pp or t v ia C ab in et en do rs em en t. • Bu dg et a llo ca tio ns (v ia C AP III ?) . K ey R es ul t A re a #3 : F or es t a nd A gr o La nd sc ap e R es to ra tio n St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : S us ta in ab le F or es t M an ag em en t i n pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le av ed fo re st s is s tr en gt he ne d vi a re fo re st at io n an d as si st ed re ge ne ra tio n by 2 03 0 a) C on du ct g ro un d tru th in g vi a fo re st as se ss m en ts a nd in ve nt or y w ith in th e pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le af fo re st s. Fo re st D ep ar tm en t; Fo re st ry C on su lta nt . Fo re st A ss es sm en ts a nd In ve nt or y R ep or t 20 21 20 22 . • Fo cu se s on 5 0, 00 0 ha o f pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le af fo re st s by 2 03 0. • Se cu re d fu nd in g. b) E st ab lis h th e re fo re st at io n an d as si st ed re ge ne ra tio n m et ho do lo gy fo r t he pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le af fo re st s. Fo re st D ep ar tm en t; Fo re st ry C on su lta nt ; IU C N . M et ho do lo gy R ep or t/ M an ua l. 20 21 20 22 . • Fo cu se s on 5 0, 00 0 ha o f pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le af fo re st s by 2 03 0. 87 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? c) I m pl em en t a re fo re st at io n an d as si st ed re ge ne ra tio n pr og ra m w ith in th e pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le af fo re st s. Fo re st D ep ar tm en t; La nd ow ne rs ; C on ce ss io na ire s. 50 ,0 00 h ec ta re s re fo re st ed / re ge ne ra te d (p rio rit iz ed br oa d le av ed fo re st s) . 20 23 20 30 . • Fo cu se s on 5 0, 00 0 ha o f pr io rit iz ed b ro ad le af fo re st s by 2 03 0. • Se cu re d fu nd in g. • C oo pe ra tio n by la nd ow ne rs an d co nc es si on ai re s. St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #2 : S us ta in ab le re ge ne ra tiv e ag ric ul tu ra l p ra ct ic es /s ys te m s ar e be in g im pl em en te d in p rio rit iz ed a gr o la nd sc ap es (e xc lu di ng pa st ur es ) b y 20 30 a) S up po rt an d de ve lo p de m on st ra tio n ho m e ga rd en s as a m od el fo r o th er ho m es a cr os s ru ra l a nd u rb an a re as o f th e co un try . Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; N G O s (Y a’ ax ch é, S H I, H um an a) ; Pr iv at e Se ct or (R eg en Tr op ix ). 10 m od el u rb an h om e ga rd en s pe r t ow n/ ci ty a nd 1 m od el h om e ga rd en p er vi lla ge e st ab lis he d. 20 21 20 24 . • In vo lv em en t o f S H I ( th ey al re ad y ha ve p ro gr am s in pl ac e) . • G C F (fu nd s se cu re d) . b) E st ab lis h ag ro fo re st ry s ys te m s in de gr ad ed a gr o la nd sc ap es (s uc h as ba na na a nd c itr us ; e xc lu di ng s ug ar ca ne ), in cl ud in g ca pa ci ty b ui ld in g in im pl em en ta tio n of th es e sy st em s. Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; N G O s (Y a’ ax ch é) ; Fo re st D ep t; Pr iv at e Se ct or (R eg en Tr op ix , T KO F ar m s T ea ke ttl e) . 22 ,4 44 h a of p rio rit iz ed a gr o la nd sc ap es re st or ed , b ro ke n do w n as fo llo w s: • 28 8 ha b an an a. • 78 h a co co nu t. • 22 ,0 78 h a ot he r c ro ps . 20 23 20 30 . • Sy st em d et er m in ed b as ed on th e la nd a nd re gi on . • In vo lv em en t a nd co op er at io n of M en no ni te co m m un iti es . • Eq ui pm en t p ro cu re d. • G C F (fu nd s se cu re d) . c) E st ab lis h re ge ne ra tiv e pr ac tic es in ri ce fie ld s an d su ga r c an e pl an ta tio ns th at ar e de gr ad ed d ue to p oo r m an ag em en t Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; SI R D I; C R EI ; C G A; BG A; 4 s ug ar c an e or ga ni za tio ns ; P riv at e Se ct or (R eg en Tr op ix ). 22 ,8 98 h a of s ug ar c an e re st or ed ; 12 6 ha o f r ic e fie ld s re st or ed .. 20 23 20 30 . • G C F (fu nd s se cu re d) . 88 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? d) R es to re a nd p ro te ct ri pa ria n zo ne s th at ar e w ith in p rio rit iz ed a gr o la nd sc ap es Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; Fo re st D ep t; D O E; Pr iv at e Se ct or (R eg en Tr op ix ). 6, 00 0 he ct ar es o f r ip ar ia n zo ne s re st or ed a nd pr ot ec te d. 20 22 20 23 (p ro te ct io n) ; 20 24 20 25 (re st or at io n) . • M ea su re s to e nf or ce pr ot ec tio n of ri pa ria n zo ne s su pp or te d by G O B. • C oo pe ra tio n an d w illi ng ne ss of la nd o w ne rs . St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #3 : S ilv o pa st or al s ys te m s ar e be in g im pl em en te d in p rio rit iz ed p as tu re s (la nd u se d fo r l iv es to ck o nl y) b y 20 30 . a) Im pr ov e an d en ha nc e ve ge ta tio n co ve r on e xi st in g pa st ur e (g ra zi ng la nd ). Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; BL PA ; Pr iv at e Se ct or (M en no ni te C om m un iti es ); O th er L PA s. Ve ge ta tio n co ve r w ith in 34 ,3 54 h a of p as tu re ha s be en im pr ov ed a nd en ha nc ed u si ng d iff er en t sy st em s su ch a s sh ad e tre es , f en ci ng , f or ag e cr op s, et c. 20 22 20 30 • M in is try s ta ff ha ve te ch ni ca l ca pa ci ty to im pl em en t t he se sy st em s. • Bu dg et /fi na nc es in p la ce fo r im pl em en ta tio n. • Le ss on s le ar ne d fro m th e LA C re gi on in co rp or at ed / us ed fo r g ui da nc e. b) E xp an d im pr ov ed fa llo w la nd s (fo r ex am pl e, b y pl an tin g tre es a nd s hr ub s) th at a re u se d fo r g ra zi ng le av in g th e la nd to re co ve r o n its o w n. Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; BL PA ; Pr iv at e Se ct or (M en no ni te C om m un iti es ); O th er li ve st oc k pr od uc er as so ci at io ns (L PA s) . 50 % o f f al lo w la nd s in pr io rit iz ed p as tu re s ha ve be en e nr ic he d. 20 22 20 30 . • Fi na nc ia l s up po rt fro m di ffe re nt in iti at iv es . • C oo pe ra tio n an d in vo lv em en t o f c at tle ra nc he rs /la nd o w ne rs . • Le ss on s le ar ne d fro m th e LA C re gi on in co rp or at ed / us ed fo r g ui da nc e. 89 64 T he re a re 2 68 re gi st er ed li ve st oc k fa rm s in B el iz e (C or oz al = 7 0; O ra ng e W al k = 55 ; B el iz e = 12 ; C ay o = 93 ; S ta nn C re ek = 6 ; T ol ed o = 32 ) ( BL PA A nn ua l R ep or t, 20 16 ). St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? c) I nt en si fy th e pr od uc tiv ity o f e xi st in g gr az in g ar ea s (i. e. , b e ab le to in cr ea se liv es to ck p er u ni t o f a re a) Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; BL PA ; Pr iv at e Se ct or (M en no ni te C om m un iti es ); O th er L PA s 10 0% o f f ar m s w ith in pr io rit iz ed a re as in e ac h di st ric t c on ve rte d fro m ex te ns iv e to in te ns iv e sy st em (r ot at io n) 64 20 24 20 30 . • Fi na nc ia l s up po rt fro m di ffe re nt in iti at iv es • C oo pe ra tio n an d in vo lv em en t o f c at tle ra nc he rs /la nd ow ne rs K ey R es ul t A re a #4 : B io di ve rs ity a nd E co sy st em S er vi ce s St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : B y 20 30 , d ev el op a nd im pl em en t w at er sh ed m an ag em en t p la ns in o rd er to re st or e an d pr ot ec t B el iz e’ s w at er sh ed s an d rip ar ia n fo re st s w ith in p rio rit y ar ea s a) R ap id w at er sh ed a ss es sm en ts (R W As ) to id en tif y ar ea s th at a re u nd er go in g ch an ge in o rd er to im pl em en t re st or at io n st ra te gi es , a nd in fo rm m an ag em en t p la n de ve lo pm en t. M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e; C on su lta nt (s ). Fi na liz ed & a cc ep te d m et ho do lo gy ; R W As c ar rie d ou t i n ea ch w at er sh ed w ith in th e pr io rit y ar ea s. By 2 02 2 to s ta nd ar di ze m et ho do lo gy ; 2 02 2 20 23 to c ar ry o ut R W As in o rd er o f p rio rit y. • R es ou rc e av ai la bi lit y. • Am pl e pe rs on ne l. • Lo ca l e xp er ts ' i nv ol ve m en t an d en ga ge m en t. • St an da rd iz ed m et ho do lo gy av ai la bl e. b) E st ab lis h a ta sk fo rc e fo r e ac h w at er sh ed w ith s pe ci al a tte nt io n to w id e st ak eh ol de r c on su lta tio n an d in cl us io n in th e de ci si on m ak in g pr oc es s (e .g ., N ew R iv er T as k Fo rc e) . M in is try o f S us ta in ab le D ev el op m en t. Ac ce pt ed T O R . W ith in th e tim el in e of 4, 1c . • R es ou rc e av ai la bi lit y. • En ga ge m en t o f i nt er na tio na l re se ar ch er s. 90 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? c) D ev el op w at er sh ed m an ag em en t pl an s. W at er sh ed T as k Fo rc e; M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e; C on su lta nt (s ). C om pl et ed m an ag em en t pl an s. 20 23 20 26 . • Tr ai ni ng a nd p la nn in g to st ar t i n 20 21 . • R es ou rc e av ai la bi lit y. • Am pl e pe rs on ne l. • M ul ti in te re st g ro up s re pr es en te d. • En ga ge m en t o f i nt er na tio na l or ga ni za tio ns . d) Im pl em en t p la ns w ith th e re st or at io n of 6, 00 0 he ct ar es o f r ip ar ia n zo ne s. W at er sh ed ta sk fo rc e; M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e 6, 00 0 he ct ar es o f r ip ar ia n zo ne s ha ve b ee n re st or ed ; R el at ed to # 3, 2d . 20 26 20 30 . • St ak eh ol de r w illi ng ne ss a nd pa rti ci pa tio n. • Le ss on s Le ar ne d (i. e. , S ib un W at er sh ed As so ci at io n) . • W at er sh ed in fo rm at io n m us t be re ad ily a va ila bl e. e) M on ito rin g by th e ke y or ga ni za tio n an d co m m un iti es in vo lv ed , w ith in de pe nd en t v al id at io n. W at er sh ed ta sk fo rc e; M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e. M on ito rin g re po rts , m ea su re m en t o f s uc ce ss . Se as on al ly a fte r p la n im pl em en ta tio n. • St ak eh ol de r w illi ng ne ss a nd pa rti ci pa tio n. • Le ss on s Le ar ne d (i. e. , S ib un W at er sh ed As so ci at io n) . • W at er sh ed in fo rm at io n m us t be re ad ily a va ila bl e. 91 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #2 : B y 20 30 , d ev el op a nd im pl em en t a n at io na l p ub lic a w ar en es s an d ed uc at io n st ra te gy th at fo cu se s on p ro m ot in g he al th y, pr od uc tiv e an d re st or ed fo re st s an d ag ro la nd sc ap es , a nd e du ca tin g B el iz ea ns o n th e pe rt in en t l aw s re la te d to la nd sc ap e re st or at io n a) R ev ie w le ss on s le ar ne d an d ch al le ng es fa ce d by o th er or ga ni za tio ns (i .e . F C D & th ei r C hi qu ib ul W at er sh ed a w ar en es s) fo r t he im pl em en ta tio n of p ub lic aw ar en es s an d ed uc at io n st ra te gy . M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e. St re am lin ed d oc um en t t o gu id e 4, 2 b. 20 21 20 22 . • St ak eh ol de r w illi ng ne ss a nd pa rti ci pa tio n. • Lo ca l e xp er ts ' i nv ol ve m en t an d en ga ge m en t. b) N G O s an d G O B co lla bo ra te to d ev el op an d pl an c om m on m es sa ge s. M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e su bc om m itt ee . C om pl et ed c om m un ic at io n st ra te gy a nd c on tra ct in g of a pu bl ic re la tio ns fi rm . 20 21 20 22 . • Fu nd ra is in g. • St ak eh ol de r w illi ng ne ss a nd pa rti ci pa tio n. c) I m pl em en t p ub lic a w ar en es s an d ed uc at io n ca m pa ig n vi a te le vi si on a nd ra di o ad s, s oc ia l m ed ia , a nd m or ni ng sh ow s, a nd s ch oo l v is its . M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e. Pu bl ic a w ar en es s an d ed uc at io n ca m pa ig n ad s ha ve ro lle d ou t; C ha ng e in p ub lic k no w le dg e, at tit ud e an d pe rc ep tio n to w ar ds re st or at io n. 20 21 20 24 . • St ak eh ol de r w illi ng ne ss . • Pu bl ic re ce pt iv en es s an d en ga ge m en t t o th e m es sa ge . d) In cl ud e re st or at io n ac tiv iti es in th e sc ho ol c ur ric ul um a t v ar io us le ve ls . M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e; M in is try o f E du ca tio n. C om pl et ed la nd sc ap e re st or at io n sc ho ol cu rri cu lu m . 20 21 20 24 • M in is try o f E du ca tio n su pp or t a nd c oo pe ra tio n. • Se cu re d fu nd in g. 92 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? K ey R es ul t A re a #5 : R es ou rc e M ob ili za tio n an d C ap ac ity B ui ld in g St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : B y 20 30 , a n at io na l l an ds ca pe re st or at io n fu nd in g m ec ha ni sm is in p la ce to s up po rt fo re st a nd a gr o la nd sc ap e (in cl ud in g si lv op as tu re s) re st or at io n in iti at iv es a) A dv oc at e fo r t he G ov er nm en t o f Be liz e to a ss ig n fu nd in g to s up po rt fo re st a nd a gr o la nd sc ap e re st or at io n as p ar t o f o ur N at io na lly D et er m in ed C on tri bu tio ns . M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e, M SD C C D R M , M AF SE . Am ou nt o f f un di ng ea rm ar ke d by th e M SD C C D R M a nd M AF SE to s up po rt fo re st a nd ag ro la nd sc ap e re st or at io n in iti at iv es , r es pe ct iv el y. 20 21 20 23 ; a nd th en an nu al ly. • Av ai la bi lit y of g ra nt fu nd s fo r C AP III p ro je ct s. • R ED D + st ra te gy a lig ne d. • R es ul ts b as ed p ay m en ts us ed . • Im pr ov em en t o f B el iz e’ s fis ca l s itu at io n. b) D ev el op a tr an sp ar en t a nd s ec ur e m ec ha ni sm th ro ug h w hi ch th e En vi ro nm en ta l M an ag em en t F un d (E M F) c an c on tri bu te to re st or at io n ac tiv iti es . M SD C C D R M ; M in is try o f F in an ce . Am ou nt o f f un di ng co nt rib ut ed b y th e EM F to re st or at io n ac tiv iti es . 20 21 20 22 . • EM F pu rp os e in cl ud es su pp or t t o la nd sc ap e re st or at io n. c) D et er m in e th e fe as ib ilit y of p ay m en t fo r e co sy st em s er vi ce s (P ES ) m ec ha ni sm s, p ar tic ul ar ly e xp lo rin g th e ro le o f t he p riv at e se ct or , s o th at la nd sc ap e re st or at io n in iti at iv es a re su st ai ne d an d re si lie nt . M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e; C on su lta nt (s ). PE S Fe as ib ilit y R ep or t (w ith fi nd in g an d re co m m en da tio ns ) 20 21 20 22 . • Se cu re d fu nd in g. • Pr iv at e se ct or s up po rt. d) D ev el op p ilo t p ro gr am s th ro ug h la rg e in du st ry to fi na nc e/ in ce nt iv iz e re st or at io n ac tiv iti es . M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e; Pr iv at e se ct or . N um be r o f p ilo t p ro gr am s pe r y ea r. 20 23 20 30 . • Pr iv at e se ct or s up po rt. 93 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? St ra te gi c O bj ec tiv e #1 : B y 20 30 , a n at io na l l an ds ca pe re st or at io n fu nd in g m ec ha ni sm is in p la ce to s up po rt fo re st a nd a gr o la nd sc ap e (in cl ud in g si lv op as tu re s) re st or at io n in iti at iv es a) C on du ct li te ra tu re re vi ew o n su st ai na bl e re ge ne ra tiv e ag ric ul tu re fo r its p ro pe r i m pl em en ta tio n w ith in p rio rit y ar ea s. Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e; U ni ve rs ity s tu de nt s. Li te ra tu re R ev ie w R ep or ts ; R es ea rc h pa pe rs . 20 21 20 23 . • Le ss on s le ar ne d fro m th e LA C re gi on in co rp or at ed / us ed fo r g ui da nc e. b) T ra in a t l ea st 5 0% o f t he s ta ff of th e Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t a nd o th er re le va nt in st itu tio ns in a gr o la nd sc ap e re st or at io n in iti at iv es . Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t (in cl ud e pr iv at e se ct or , pr od uc er s, fa rm er s, as so ci at io ns , i nv es to rs ). 50 % o r m or e of th e st aff o f th e Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t tra in ed . 20 21 20 24 . • Le ss on s le ar ne d fro m th e LA C re gi on in co rp or at ed / us ed fo r g ui da nc e. • Su pp or t f ro m in te rn at io na l pa rtn er s (s uc h as F AO a nd N G O s) . c) T ra in a t l ea st 5 0% o f t he s ta ff of th e Fo re st D ep ar tm en t a nd o th er re le va nt in st itu tio ns in fo re st re st or at io n in iti at iv es . Fo re st D ep ar tm en t ( in cl ud e pr iv at e se ct or , p ro du ce rs , fa rm er s, a ss oc ia tio ns , in ve st or s) . 50 % o r m or e of th e st aff of th e Fo re st D ep ar tm en t tra in ed . 20 21 20 24 . • Le ss on s le ar ne d fro m th e LA C re gi on in co rp or at ed / us ed fo r g ui da nc e. • Su pp or t f ro m in te rn at io na l pa rtn er s (s uc h as F AO a nd N G O s) . d) E st ab lis h pa rtn er sh ip s w ith pa rti ci pa tin g fa rm er s to s up po rt th e im pl em en ta tio n an d ov er si gh t o f re st or at io n ac tiv iti es . Fo re st D ep ar tm en t; Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t. N um be r o f M O U s (i. e. , pa rtn er sh ip a gr ee m en ts ). 20 22 20 24 . • Bu y in a nd p ar tic ip at io n by fa rm er s. 94 St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? e) Id en tif y ex is tin g nu rs er ie s an d im pr ov e at le as t 1 5 (o f t ho se id en tifi ed ) o r es ta bl is h ne w o ne s if ne ed ed a cr os s th e co un try (c om m un ity n ur se rie s fo r lo ca l t re es ). Fo re st D ep ar tm en t a nd Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t, in co lla bo ra tio n w ith N G O s an d co m m un iti es . Ex is tin g nu rs er ie s id en tifi ed ; Ex is tin g nu rs er ie s ha ve b ee n im pr ov ed ; N ew n ur se rie s es ta bl is he d. 6 to 1 2 m on th s fi rs t ye ar (2 02 1 2 02 2) . • Bu dg et a llo ca tio n or av ai la bi lit y. • Se as on al ity (w et a nd d ry se as on ). • Tr an sp or ta tio n. • H um an re so ur ce s al lo ca tio n. • C om m un ity b uy in a nd pa rti ci pa tio n. f) O rg an iz e a N at iv e Tr ee S pe ci es R es to ra tio n G ro up in e ac h di st ric t t o su pp or t a nd fa ci lit at e se ed s ha rin g an d re se ar ch . Fo re st D ep ar tm en t a nd Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t, in co lla bo ra tio n w ith N G O s an d co m m un iti es . Se ed s ou rc e es ta bl is he d; Lo ca tio ns fo r s ee d st or ag e ha ve b ee n id en tifi ed a nd es ta bl is he d; R es ea rc h pr op os al s. 6 to 1 2 m on th s w ith in th e 1s t y ea r ( 20 21 20 22 ). • Bu dg et a llo ca tio n or av ai la bi lit y . • Se as on al ity (a va ila bi lit y of se ed s) . • Tr an sp or ta tio n. • H um an re so ur ce s al lo ca tio n. • C om m un ity b uy in a nd pa rti ci pa tio n. g) C ap ac ity b ui ld in g in s ee d co lle ct io n, st or ag e an d m an ag em en t. Fo re st D ep ar tm en t i n co lla bo ra tio n w ith th e Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t an d N G O s. N um be r o f c om m un iti es tra in ed . 20 21 20 23 (s er ie s of tra in in gs ). • Bu dg et a llo ca tio n. • C om m un ity b uy in a nd pa rti ci pa tio n h) P ro vi de s ki lls tr ai ni ng o n so il re ge ne ra tio n an d la nd re st or at io n to a t le as t 1 0% o f f ar m er s an d pr od uc er s in ea ch d is tri ct . Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; FA O . 10 % o f f ar m er s an d pr od uc er s in e ac h di st ric t tra in ed . 20 21 20 26 . 9, 66 3 fa rm er s (B AI M S, 2 01 8) • C or oz al – 3 ,0 09 . • O ra ng e W al k – 2, 89 1. • C ay o – 1, 71 5. • Be liz e – 54 9. • St an n C re ek – 4 44 . • To le do – 1 ,0 55 . 95 65 S ou rc e: IF AD (2 00 7) , o n th e ba si s of in fo rm at io n fro m th e Be liz e Fa rm er s’ R eg is try (n ee d to u pd at e) . St ra te gi es /T ac tic al O bj ec tiv es W ha t w ill b e do ne ? R es po ns ib ili ty W ho w ill g ui de th is w or k? In di ca to rs W ha t a re th e im pl em en ta tio n ta rg et s? Ti m el in e B y w he n? (M on th /Y ea r or Q ua rt er /Y ea r) C rit ic al A ss um pt io ns W ha t n ee ds to b e in pl ac e fo r a ct iv iti es to b e im pl em en te d? i) D ev el op 5 % o f f ar m s in e ac h di st ric t (a cr os s la nd ho ld in g si ze ra ng e) in to m od el fa rm s th at d em on st ra te su st ai na bl e, re st or at iv e, a nd c lim at e sm ar t a gr ic ul tu re . Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; FA O . Fa rm s in e ac h di st ric t de ve lo pe d in to m od el fa rm s ac co rd in g to th e fo llo w in g pe rc en ta ge s: • 1 to 5 0 ac re s: 5 % • 51 1 00 a cr es : 5 % • 10 1 25 0 ac re s: 5 % • O ve r 2 50 a cr es : 5 % 20 21 20 30 . • Fa rm er s co op er at e to en ga ge in tr an si tio ni ng fr om ag ro ch em ic al d ep en de nt fa rm in g to o rg an ic fa rm in g. 9, 69 7 fa rm s (IF AD , 2 00 7) 65 : • Be lo w 5 a cr es : 2 .3 57 . • Be tw ee n 5 to 2 0 ac re s: 3, 19 8. • Be tw ee n 21 to 5 0 ac re s: 2, 64 1. • Be tw ee n 51 1 00 a cr es : 1, 02 0. • Be tw ee n 10 1 25 0 ac re s: 31 3. • O ve r 2 50 a cr es : 1 68 . j) In co rp or at e th e us e of te ch no lo gy to m ax im iz e th e im pa ct o f e xt en si on a nd m on ito rin g se rv ic es , m ar ke tin g, d at a co lle ct io n an d ot he r a re as th at a re k ey to re st or at io n ac tiv iti es . Fo re st D ep ar tm en t; Ag ric ul tu re D ep ar tm en t; N at io na l C lim at e C ha ng e O ffi ce a nd M et eo ro lo gi ca l D ep ar tm en t; M in is try o f e G ov er na nc e. M et eo ro lo gi ca l s ta tio ns es ta bl is he d at m od el fa rm s; N at io na l-l ev el m et eo ro lo gi ca l da ta s et s de ve lo pe d. 20 21 20 26 . • Se cu re d fu nd in g. • Te ch no lo gy a va ila bl e. • Ag en ci es a nd fa rm er s tra in ed in th e us e of th e te ch no lo gy . k) C ol la te a nd p ub lis h ex pe rie nc es th at d oc um en t t he re st or at io n m et ho do lo gi es a nd re su lts o f pa rti ci pa tin g la nd ow ne rs /fa rm er s. M ul ti ag en cy T as k Fo rc e; C on su lta nt (s ). R es ul ts p ub lis he d an d di ss em in at ed . 20 21 20 30 . • Bu dg et a llo ca tio n or av ai la bi lit y. • Bu y in a nd p ar tic ip at io n by fa rm er s. 96 Annex 8: List of Stakeholders Consulted for Development of the NLRS 1. Beth Roberson, BelizeAg Report. 2. Beverly Burke, Santander. 3. Bevington Cal, Maya Leaders Alliance. 4. Brianne Young. 5. Chris Ramirez, Regen Tropix. 6. Christina Garcia, Ya’axché Conservation Trust. 7. Colin Mattis, National Climate Change Office. 8. David Gibson, CSSPAR & Regeneration Belize. 9. Dion Daniels. 10. Dr. Ed Boles, Aquatic Ecologist. 11. Edgar Correa, Forest Department. 12. Edilberto Romero, Programme for Belize. 13. Dr. Elma Kay, University of Belize Environmental Research Institute (UB ERI). 14. German Novelo, Forest Department. 15. Heron Moreno, Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative. 16. Ivanna Waight-Cho, UB ERI. 17. Jeffery Joseph, SIRDI. 18. Dr. Jennie Saqui. 19. Joyce Tun, Protected Areas Conservation Trust. 20. Ki’ila Salas, Consultant. 21. Dr. Latha Thomas, Science Department, University of Belize. 22. Leonel Requena, UNDP/GEF/Small Grants Programme. 23. Leticia Westby, Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI). 24. Luciano Chi, SIRDI. 25. Dr. Marcelino Avila, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister. 26. Megan Lopez, Ya’axche Conservation Trust. 27. Melinka Najera, IUCN. 28. Melissa Zuniga, National Garifuna Council. 97 29. Omaira Avila Rostant, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute. 30. Osmany Salas, Consultant. 31. Pablo Mis, Maya Leaders Alliance. 32. Dr. Percival Cho, MSDCCDRM. 33. Rafael Manzanero, Friends for Conservation and Development. 34. Raul Chun, Forest Department. 35. Reina Co, Toledo Cocoa Growers Association. 36. Wilber Sabido, Forest Department. 37. William Neal, Belize Sugar Industries-ASR. 38. Yanira Pop, Forest Department. In coordination with: Implemented by: