Over the past few months, the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) has assumed management of the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, a designated World Heritage Site. Their increased presence in the area is already making a significant impact. Within the past month alone, TIDE has arrested several Guatemalan fishermen for illegal fishing activities. This...
On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex received a generous donation of sports mats and laptops, which will be distributed to schools throughout the Toledo District. The items were provided by the Rotary Club of Punta Gorda, made possible through the support of donors from the United States. The donations will support...
It’s one of the only tournaments of its kind in Belize, a unique fishing competition that celebrates nature while promoting zero-carbon practices. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to ozone layer depletion and climate change. By avoiding the use of fossil fuels, participants in this tournament help reduce carbon emissions while still enjoying...
Over the past month, the Belize Territorial Volunteers, in collaboration with Toledo Exposure/PGTV, hosted a successful series of turtle monitoring camps at the Sapodilla Cayes. Located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area provided an incredible learning experience for the young participants, who had the opportunity to witness nature up close. During their time...
The Battle of the Drums Secretariat hosted its 16th annual summer camp, in Punta Gorda under the theme “Wanbunagua” (Let’s Plant). This year’s camp centers on backyard gardening, teaching participants how to identify, plant, and care for a variety of edible plants. Activities include hands-on gardening sessions, lessons on the use of medicinal plants, Garifuna...
The Punta Gorda Methodist Church, in collaboration with The Wayfarers and the PGMS program, will host a Vacation Bible School from July 31 to August 7, 2025. The program will run daily from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, offering children a fun and spiritually enriching experience. A key highlight of this year’s event is a...
A two-day training workshop on Pitahaya and Soursop tree management was held in Punta Gorda Town. Hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, the workshop aimed to equip farmers and growers with best practices to improve cultivation and boost productivity. Participants left the sessions better informed and prepared to apply the techniques...
George Price Street in Punta Gorda has been steadily deteriorating over the past few months, with little to no visible action taken to address the issue. As the main exit route for both residents and visitors and located at the heart of the town, its condition is becoming increasingly critical. Despite the road’s importance, there...
A free volleyball camp for children and youth in the Toledo District officially kicked off today, July 21st, at the Toledo Sporting Complex. The camp will run through July 25th and is open to participants between the ages of 6 and 21. Throughout the week, campers will be divided into age-based time slots and guided...
Bonefish Tarpon Trust (BTT) hosted a workshop today at the Father Ring Parish Hall, bringing together local educators to highlight the importance of conserving fisheries habitats. The event focused on empowering teachers with knowledge and resources to support healthy flats ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
Last week, we reported to you that several, up to eight, Guatemalan boats were spotted inside Belizean waters engaged in illegal fishing. The Punta Gorda Fisheries Department evidently took our report seriously and, on Thursday, conducted patrols in the Sarstoon Temash area. They found four gill nets that had been illegally set. The gill nets...
With less than two weeks remaining before Tropic Air ceases operations in Punta Gorda, residents gathered at the airline’s local office today to send a clear message to the government: Punta Gorda need air connectivity and cannot simply be cut off. The demonstration comes as the community prepares for the loss of Tropic Air flights,...
Exactly one month after the Guatemalan armed forces violated Belize’s sovereignty, they did so again on Saturday October 10th, when the Belize Territorial Volunteers made an unannounced trip to the Sarstoon River. The trip discovered that the Guatemalan armed forces continue to occupy the river, but more than that, the trip also found that up...
Toledo District’s very own Ymanoli Garcia has been named Oceana’s 2026 Wavemaker of the Year for the district. The announcement was made during Oceana Belize’s Annual General Meeting. Over 300 Wavemakers, partners, and allies from across the country came together in celebration of their shared commitment to protecting Belize’s marine environment.
At the beginning of the week, World Pediatrics was in town at the Punta Gorda Community Hospital, hosting a specialized training for nurses, midwives, and healthcare professionals involved in the process of delivering babies and providing maternal care. The training focused on strengthening the knowledge and skills of healthcare workers.
