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...
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...
Reforestation, typically highlighted during Earth Day, is taking center stage earlier this year as the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) launches a major tree-planting initiative during Belize’s rainy season. Recognizing that this is the most effective time to plant, TIDE isn’t waiting for symbolic dates to act. Globally, reforestation is encouraged because trees...
Copal Tree, a company gaining international recognition for its innovative agricultural practices, hosted a Family Day over the weekend at its farm and distillery. The event marked the end of a successful season and served as a heartfelt thank you to its dedicated team. Family Day is Copal Tree’s way of showing appreciation to its...
On Sunday, July 6th, the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) carried out another beach cleanup, this time in the Punta Ycacos area. The location was chosen because it’s a known turtle nesting site, and this is the season when turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. The team collected over 20 bags of garbage and installed...
The Ministry of Health and Wellness warns that floodwaters can lead to infections, injuries, and waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A. The public is urged to avoid contact with floodwaters and keep any open wounds clean and covered. Due to stagnant water, mosquito breeding is expected to increase, raising the risk of...
The Forest Department held a three-day workshop from June 26–28, 2025, focused on analyzing jaguar and prey dynamics. Participants included staff and partners like CSFI, Ya’axché, Belize Audubon Society, and others working on camera trap data for the national wildlife database. The training covered tools such as R, Excel, GIS, and occupancy modelling programs. It...
Umeeda Switlo, owner of Naledo Belize, the renowned turmeric factory based in Punta Gorda, is currently in Taiwan, proudly showcasing her world-class products at an international food fair.
Students from Toledo’s Community College (TCC) are taking a hands-on approach to tackling local flooding by applying mathematics. As part of their project, they recently visited area bridges to develop a mathematical model aimed at reducing flood damage. Through calculations and analysis, the students are working on solutions to improve water flow and strengthen structural...
A community partnership is helping bring new life to the entrance of Forest Home as the village council teams up with Naledo Belize to restore the village sign with a fresh coat of paint. This sign creates a welcoming first impression for residents and visitors approaching or passing through forest home village.
Last week, major concern was raised across the country following the detection of a case of measles in the Toledo District. In response, health authorities swiftly activated emergency measures to contain the potential spread of the disease. We can confirm that additional suspected cases have been reported. Among them is a student from Toledo Community...
The National Garifuna Council Punta Gorda Branch held its election yesterday at the Garifuna Cultural Center in Punta Gorda. Following welcome remarks by outgoing President Mr. James Lino, and the presentation of the Treasurer’s Report by the outgoing treasurer, nominations were made and votes were cast. The results are as follows: President: Therese Aleman Vice...
A few weeks ago, there was an alleged kidnapping involving the alcalde of Indian Creek Village. The incident has raised several concerns, as shortly after the alcalde went missing, his supporters reportedly attacked the home of the village chairman. In recent months, tensions have been escalating between alcaldes and village chairpersons in several Maya communities....
On Friday April 24th, the University of Belize Toledo Campus was filled with students from the Belmopan Campus. The debate club from Punta Gorda challenged their colleagues from Belmopan on the topic: should UB ban student use of generative AI? The debate was highly interactive, with both sides presenting compelling arguments. In the end, the affirmative...
