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...
On Friday October 16th Students, teachers, and community supporters gathered at Central park for a Breast Cancer Awareness School Rally organized by the Belize cancer society Toledo branch. The aim is to promote early detection and raising awareness about breast cancer. Participants dressed in pink, displaying awareness posters, and waving flags in a show of...
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.
