About this campaign
This campaign is being run by the Toledo Institute for Development
and Environment (TIDE), a Belizean non-profit conservation and development NGO
(http://tidebelize.org).
We recently launched a new conservation volunteer program
called Ridge to Reef Expeditions (
http://www.fromridgetoreef.com/).
Ridge to Reef Expeditions will give international volunteers
conservation experience and enable TIDE to conserve one of the most pristine parts of Mesoamerica.
We are about to launch our first ever expedition in July
2014. We have five international participants and we are seeking funding for a free place for a Belizean – Javier Alegria.
Javier Alegria, pictured here with his nephew, wants the
opportunity to protect biodiversity in his native Toledo for future
generations.
Letter from Javier
“My name is Javier Alegria and I am from the beautiful
Toledo district of southern Belize. Toledo is filled with diverse ecosystems
and amazing wildlife, from mountaintop rainforests to coral reefs, from tapirs
to sea turtles.
Since I was a boy, I have been fascinated with nature. It
makes me mad to see ancient trees being torn down and jaguars shot, so
I decided to do something. I decided to study Natural Resource Management at
the University of Belize.
Studying biology has given me the profound realization that
all living things are interdependent and that we must give back to our
environment, not just take take take.
It would mean the world to me to take part in Ridge to Reef
Expeditions. I would use the experience and skills I learn to give back to my
community as a teacher or a conservation biologist.
Please help me fulfil my dream. I promise to write you about my experience, and give back to my country
by protecting this amazing place I am proud to call home.”
The Belize Barrier Reef is a "World Heritage Site in Danger". Photo credit: Jad Davenport.
What we need and what you get
We need $6,000 to send Javier on the expedition of a lifetime. This breaks down as follows:
$4,500 course fees (includes food, accommodation, travel to field sites, training, and SCUBA certification for the 8-week expedition)
$500 medical and dive insurance
$500 wetsuit, hiking boots and head light for expedition
$400 Indiegogo fee
$100 to fulfil our perks
In return, TIDE and Javier will show our appreciation by sharing a video of the expedition, highlighting the adventure, biodiversity and learning that our young participants experience. Javier will also write you a letter describing his personal journey.
If we don't reach our entire goal, we will still take Javier on expedition - just for less than the full eight weeks.
On a Ridge to Reef Expedition, Javier will learn to SCUBA dive and monitor coral reef health among many other skills.
Reasons to support Javier
· He was the most passionate and promising candidate in a competitive application
· It is his dream to protect the amazing Toledo District and Belize Barrier Reef
· On a Ridge to Reef Expedition, he will meet like-minded international volunteers and take action to protect endangered turtles, manatees, jaguars, yellow-headed parrots, monkeys, corals, and more
· He plans to stay in Toledo for the long term
Training locals
in conservation makes sense because they are here for the long term. Here, TIDE community researcher Fernando relocates a hawksbill turtle nest that would have been lost to beach erosion.
On this summer's expedition, Javier and the other volunteers will participate in the first ever manatee survey of its kind in southern Belize.
Reasons to support
TIDE
·
TIDE is a leading Belizean NGO that co-manages
two national protected areas with the Government of Belize
·
TIDE works with communities to build
environmental stewardship
·
TIDE has a strong track record in implementing projects
·
TIDE has won international awards for innovation
·
Ridge to Reef Expeditions is a non-profit initiative
that will support TIDE to achieve its conservation objectives
Your support will make Javier as happy as this bottlenose dolphin in the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, co-managed by TIDE.
Follow TIDE on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TIDEBZE
Live your own adventure - join us on a Ridge to Reef Expedition (http://fromridgetoreef.com).