Founded in 1998, the Ya’axché (pronounced “yah-shay”) Conservation Trust (Ya’axché), manages two pieces of pristine natural forests in southern Belize.  The first is the Golden Stream Corridor Preserve, an area owned and managed by Ya’axché that encompasses 15,000 acres of rich, natural forest along a natural corridor connecting the tranquil Maya Mountains with the serene barrier reef of the Belizean coast.

The second management zone for Ya’axché is the Bladen Nature Reserve.  This 100,000 acre nature reserve is the largest and most biologically-diverse nature reserve in Belize.  In 2008, Ya’axché earned a coveted co-management status from the Belize Forest Department, giving it management responsibilities on behalf of the Forest Department, the Belizean government and the people of Belize.

The health and prosperity of the communities that surround these protected areas are also of great importance to Ya’axché, which utilizes a lively and committed staff to educate and promote alternative livelihoods through a community outreach program. Ya’axché is committed to the viable health of all of Belize's natural resources which it influences through an active advocacy program at the local, national and regional governmental levels.

What does Ya’axché mean?
Ya’axché is the Mopan Maya name for the cotton tree (Ceiba petandra), a sacred tree to the Maya. The tree linked ixbalba (the underworld) to the heavens, and thus has symbolic importance to the Mayan communities.

After Hurricane Iris hit Toledo in October 2001, the huge Ya’axché trees were the only trees left standing thanks to their deep roots and strong trunks, making them highly visible landmarks in Southern Belize and a powerful namesake for the organization.

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