Our Work

"Conservation through Education" is the underlying impetus for each of our projects which engage a diverse group of stakeholders including marine guides, fishermen, business owners, tourism associations, fishing associations, NGOs and educational institutions.  Stakeholders that become volunteers help monitor conditions on the Belize Barrier Reef in a changing climate.  

ECOMAR coordinates marine conservation projects that focus on conserving the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site, associated marine ecosystems and the diverse marine life that is so important to the people that live near the coast and those that come to visit and explore the marine realm that has made Belize famous.  

ECOMAR encourages stakeholders to learn more about the marine ecosystems that support their livelihoods.  When resources users are more knowledgeable about the ecosystem processes they take ownership of the environment and become involved in protecting these valuable natural resources.  While stakeholders benefit by learning more about the marine ecosystem, it is the marine ecosystem that are hoped to benefit in the long term.

The programs we coordinate - Adopt A Beach, Adopt A Reef, Coral Watch, Lionfish, Turtle Watch, Reef Rally - are diverse and offer something for everyone looking to get more involved in marine conservation!

Our programs are applicable to all communities in coastal Belize.

Make a Difference,  Volunteer today!

Volunteers are the foundation on which our programs exist.  Depending on your interests we are sure to have a program where you can make valuable contributions to conserving the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site!

• Resorts and coastal property owners can Adopt A Beach, and keep it turtle friendly and monitor for sea turtle activity.  Your guests will be eager to help monitor your beach!
  
• If you are only interested in keeping the reef free of lionfish then sign on and become a certified Lionfish Hunter.

• Just want to volunteer with the Turtle Watch Program?  Then submit a report each time you visit the reef and help us determine abundance.  
  
• Or if you want Adopt A Reef and submit regular reports on coral bleaching, turtles observed, and can keep it free of lionfish.
  

We are grateful for what ever your level of involvement will be!  To learn more about each of our programs skim through the pages and then let us know where your interests lie and become a volunteer with ECOMAR today!  

Melanie Day volunteers with ECOMAR and spearheads the Belize Turtle Watch Program. Here she is releasing a juvenile hawksbill that was captured during an In-Water Turtle Survey at Gallow's Point. Photo ECOMAR