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Conservation in Belize - from Ridge to Reef

Javier Alegria - a Belizean biology student and aspiring conservationist - wants to safeguard biodiversity in his native Toledo. Help him fulfil his dream.

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Conservation in Belize - from Ridge to Reef

Conservation in Belize - from Ridge to Reef

Conservation in Belize - from Ridge to Reef

Conservation in Belize - from Ridge to Reef

Conservation in Belize - from Ridge to Reef

Javier Alegria - a Belizean biology student and aspiring conservationist - wants to safeguard biodiversity in his native Toledo. Help him fulfil his dream.

Javier Alegria - a Belizean biology student and aspiring conservationist - wants to safeguard biodiversity in his native Toledo. Help him fulfil his dream.

Javier Alegria - a Belizean biology student and aspiring conservationist - wants to safeguard biodiversity in his native Toledo. Help him fulfil his dream.

Javier Alegria - a Belizean biology student and aspiring conservationist - wants to safeguard biodiversity in his native Toledo. Help him fulfil his dream.

James Lord
James Lord
James Lord
James Lord
6 Campaigns |
Punta Gorda, Belize
$6,015 USD 78 backers
100% of $6,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 6 Projects Mountain Filled 6 Projects

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).

Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
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Choose your Perk

The tree frog

$10 USD
A beautiful high resolution image of the wildlife you helped to protect emailed to you.
Estimated Shipping
September 2014
6 claimed

The bottlenose dolphin

$30 USD
Javier will write to tell you about his experience and personal growth through the expedition. The letter will be emailed to you. Plus the perk above.
Estimated Shipping
September 2014
8 claimed

The hawksbill turtle

$50 USD
Expedition video. TIDE will film a video of the first ever Ridge to Reef Expedition. We will include your name in the credits and send you an exclusive preview copy on DVD. Plus the perks above.
Estimated Shipping
September 2014
9 claimed

The hawksbill turtle

$50 USD
Expedition video. TIDE will film a video of the first ever Ridge to Reef Expedition. We will include your name in the credits and give you an exclusive preview. Plus the perks above.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
3 claimed

The ocelot

$100 USD
A Ridge to Reef Expeditions T-shirt mailed to you. Plus the perks above.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
14 out of 20 of claimed

The West Indian manatee

$200 USD
A printed photograph of the expedition team with a personal 'thank you' message mailed to you. Plus the perks above.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
4 out of 12 of claimed

The scarlet macaw

$500 USD
A free trip to the Port Honduras Marine Reserve with TIDE (travel to Punta Gorda not included). Plus a TIDE cap. Plus the perks above.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
1 out of 5 of claimed

The jaguar

$1,000 USD
Your name or your company's name on the Ridge to Reef Expeditions website and Facebook, TIDE website and Facebook, and TIDE annual report. 10% discount on Ridge to Reef Expeditions. Plus the perks above.
Estimated Shipping
October 2014
0 out of 3 of claimed

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