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Program Areas
Suistanable Land-Use ManagmentManagment
Landscape_Level Planning
Protected Areas Management
Research and Monitoring
Community Outreach & Livelihoods
Enriching Lives
Adopting Best Practices
Raising Awareness
Community Development Plans
Connecting Traditional and Modern Mayan Culture
Advocacy
Private Conservation Initiatives
Supporting the Protected Areas of Belize
Toledo Healthy Forest Initiative
Institutional Governance
 
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Ya'axché has a variety of initiatives aimed at improving the economic conditions of the community members living near our protected areas in southern Belize.

We maintain a nursery where we grow hardwood, fruit-bearing plants and other economically-viable saplings for commercial and reforestation use. We advise local farmers and business persons on agroforestry techniques and provide training in best practices.

Some years ago we started an initiative to support local cacao farmers. Today we have over 75 farmers in our programme which emphasizes organic, shade-grown cacao cultivation. Through the Toledo Cacao Growers' Association (TCGA) we have been able to provide a lucrative market to our farmers, with a large percentage supplying the Green & Blacks organic chocolate brand - "Mayan Gold".

In 2008 we began the first series of community-sponsored organic vegetable farms. Through the generous support of the Organization of American States we are continuing to expand this commercially-viable enterprise which reduces slash-and-burn pressure on forests by promoting permanent agriculuture (permaculture) practices and raises recognition of the benefits of organic products throughout the region.