36,000 acres co-managed
Belize's First Agroforestry Concession
Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve (MMNFR) was established in 2008 and is co-managed by Ya’axché since 2015. MMNFR buffers the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) and Bladen Nature Reserve, two major protected areas in Belize. This forest reserve is a key biodiversity area (KBA) providing habitat to many, including threatened species such as the black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra), Baird Tapir (Tapirus bairdii), jaguar (Panthera onca).
Sustainable extraction of resources is permitted in MMNFR and in 2015 Belize’s first community agroforestry concession was established in the MMNFR to give a buffer community access to arable land. This community-based model of forest governance helps farming families strengthen sustainable livelihoods, preserve standing forests and protect wildlife.