Top Health Benefits of Being Outdoors

Committed to promoting green living, The Reserve Belize provides residents with eco-conscious construction and activities in a 14,000-acre development. The Reserve Belize inspires residents to engage in various outdoor activities that contribute to overall wellness. Below are just a few of the health benefits of spending time outdoors.

1. The human body converts sunshine into chemicals that transform into vitamin D. However, it’s common for American adults to have a vitamin D deficiency. Getting 10 to 15 minutes of direct sunshine every day will boost vitamin D production and can improve health. 

2. Although the dangers of outdoor air pollution are well known, oftentimes indoor air pollution can be up to 10 times worse. Household chemicals, paint, and mold may contribute to indoor air pollution. Therefore, breathing fresh outdoor air may benefit the respiratory system. 

3. Studies show that being outdoors can relieve stress. Taking a walk or run in a natural setting allows one to be surrounded by nature which can induce calm feelings, create a sense of well-being, and even enhance creativity.

Economic Benefits of Retiring in Belize

Located near Belize’s Sittee River, The Reserve Belize spans 14,000 acres of wilderness. Eco-Futures developed The Reserve Belize to serve residents seeking an outdoor lifestyle coupled with natural beauty and ecological diversity. For Americans considering retiring abroad, living in Belize provides a number of economic benefits.

Living in Belize costs less than do many other popular tropical destinations, such as the Bahamas or Bermuda. The climate is hospitable, with temperatures rarely dropping below 70 degrees, so residents need not worry about snow removal or heating expenses. 

In addition, for retirees living in Belize, the Qualified Retirement Persons program offers a number of tax benefits. For example, individuals can bring a boat, vehicle, or plane to Belize tax-free, and no tax payments are required for foreign-earned income if one month of the year is spent in Belize. Personal tax in the country is minimal, and there is no inheritance or capital gains tax.

Reducing Your Impact When in Nature

Eco-Futures Development, a company committed to sustainable living, is the creator of The Reserve Belize, a resort-style community located on 14,000 acres of Belizean wilderness. At The Reserve Belize, residents are given the chance to enjoy the natural landscape around them while still preserving and protecting Belize’s flora and fauna.

When you are in nature, there are several things you can do to reduce your impact as much as possible:

Properly dispose of waste
Whether camping or just enjoying a few hours outside, always dispose of waste properly. This includes throwing away trash or taking it with you as well as properly getting rid of food so wild animals cannot get to it. If you plan on washing dishes or any clothing, do so at least 200 feet away from a water source and use biodegradable soap.

Travel on durable surfaces
As you explore in nature, keep your activities on durable surfaces, such as gravel, established trails and campsites, and rock. Doing so limits any negative impact on the surrounding wilderness. If you must walk through areas that are pristine, disperse your use so new trails and campsites are not created.

Leave what you find

This is especially important to remember when hiking, camping, or spending any extended period of time exploring the wilderness. Leave plants, rocks, and all other natural objects where you find them and keep a safe distance from wild animals.

Flora and Fauna in Belize

The Reserve Belize covers 14,000 acres of land spread across five distinct ecosystems. Located near the banks of the Sittee River, The Reserve Belize is an eco-friendly development that maintains a commitment to preserving the local flora and fauna. 

Roughly 70 percent of Belize is jungle, forest, or rain forest, and these areas contain more than 700 species of trees and plants. The country is notable for its population of logwood and mahogany. Both of these tree species were used to make dye in the past, and the country’s national tree is still the mahogany. Meanwhile, the rich soil found throughout Belize makes it easy to grow numerous fruit and nut trees, including coconut palm and mango.

Belize is also well known for its variety of indigenous orchids. More than 250 species of orchid grow naturally in the country, most notably the black orchid. And scientists estimate that over 4,000 indigenous flowering plants grow in Belize, including hibiscus and poinsettia.

In terms of fauna, Belize has at least five indigenous big cat species, including the ocelot and puma. Other mammals found within the country’s borders including howler monkeys, coatimundis, and kinkajous. The tapir, the national animal, thrives in Belize, despite having been classified as endangered. 

Beyond that, Belize is home to over 500 species of birds, such as the blue-crowned motmot and spoonbills. It is also home to manatees, sea turtles, and several types of reptile.

The Alternating Wet and Dry Savanna Ecosystem of Belize

Encompassing 14,000 acres, The Reserve Belize combines the best of Caribbean coastal living with ready access to a myriad of inland ecosystems, including lagoons, mangrove forests, and mahogany and cedar forests. The Reserve Belize also contains a distinctive savanna ecosystem, which is distinguished by Caribbean pine trees and low-nutrient soils. 

Frequently water-logged as the rainy season progresses, the savanna can become bone dry during other seasons. This results in predominant plant species that are versatile and hardy, able to withstand cycles of submersion and complete lack of water. 

Tree species such as pine, calabash, craboo, palmetto, and oak grow sparsely and are relatively fire resistant. Ground cover in the savanna extends to knee-high sedges and wiry grasses that thrive in the coarse gravel soil peppered with quartz. 

A number of bird species make their homes in stands of savanna trees. At ground level, reptiles and small mammals are most common.

International Property Awards - The Entry and Judging Process

Built on 14,000 acres comprising five diverse ecosystems, The Reserve Belize is committed to protecting the health of its surrounding environment and residents through eco-friendly construction and an array of amenities. This unique focus has earned The Reserve Belize several International Property Awards.

Entering the International Property Awards, which recognize excellence among commercial and residential property professionals around the world, begins with registering. Online registration is the easiest option. Once registration is complete, each professional is assigned an awards advisor, who serves as his or her contact throughout the awards process. Awards advisors then send an entry pack detailing category criteria, rules for entry, and an entry form, which must be completed and returned, along with materials including high-resolution images of the project. 

Entries are first judged in national and regional sessions by expert judges. During judging, every criteria point is examined, and each point is given a rating ranging from poor to excellent. Based on these ratings, entries receive a final score out of five stars. Winners are subsequently notified by their awards advisor and invited to an announcement event.

Following the regional and national awards, winning entries are re-judged against all other winners around the world. Entries are given a score based on their compiled ratings, and a grand final event is held for winners of the International Property Awards.

In 2017, The Reserve Belize won four more awards. These awards are a testament to the attraction of this project on a global scale.

Four Features of Green Construction

Developed by Eco-Futures Development, The Reserve Belize is a real estate and land development dedicated to sustainability. In accordance with the community's four cornerstones--outdoor pursuits, holistic wellness, conservation, and eco-conscious living--the homes at The Reserve Belize have plenty of “green” features. 

Below are four common features of green construction:

1. Solar panels: In recent years, solar panels have become a staple of green construction, especially in sunny climates. Rather than rely on electricity, homes with solar panels use the sun as a sustainable source of power.

2. Locally sourced materials: International shipping has been a common part of real estate construction, but using locally sourced materials is more sustainable, as it reduces the carbon footprint.

3. Energy-efficient appliances: Many green construction projects use energy-efficient appliances. These include Energy Star appliances, which are up to 40 percent more energy efficient, and washing machines, water heaters, and low-flow showerheads that cut down on water consumption.

4. Gardens and orchards: Planting a garden or orchard is a great way of promoting farm-to-table eating and the natural cycle of growth. The plants in gardens and orchards produce oxygen and absorb the nutrients from compost, thus improving the environment and reducing waste products.

Life at the Confluence of Five Ecosystems

Situated along the Sittee River in Belize, The Reserve residential and marina development offers purchasers the opportunity to acquire beautiful properties for post-retirement living or investment. The Reserve affords residents the experience of living amidst five distinctive ecosystems of Belize, each filled with natural wonders.

The riverine ecosystem occurs at the nexus of fresh and saltwater habitats filled with a rich diversity of wildlife. Human residents share the area along the Sittee River with manatees, egrets, turtles, and other inhabitants. The tropical savanna is the community’s 2,000-acre length of sub-tropical scrublands that is home to an unusual variety of plants, trees, tropical birds, and animals. The Belizean jungle’s 10,000 acres of private preserve are filled with mahogany trees, waterfalls, growths of broadleaf trees, and more. 

The Caribbean marine ecosystem parallels the wetlands of the Florida Everglades and offers sparkling lagoons and stands of mangrove trees where a wealth of sea creatures find shelter. The fifth ecosystem, the coral reef, lies off the community’s own island. Residents who scuba dive or snorkel can explore the beauty beneath the waves, where a thriving coral reef system provides a home for turtles, sharks, rays, and rainbows of tropical fish.

The Reserve Belize | Amenities

The Reserve Belize | Client Testimonial

Wildlife and Residential Opportunities at The Reserve Belize

Created by Eco-Futures Development, The Reserve Belize is a combined wildlife reserve and residential development encompassing an area of land that is almost the size of Manhattan, New York. The only private development to receive the full endorsement of the government in Belize, The Reserve Belize operates on the four principles of eco-conscious living, conservation, outdoor adventure, and holistic wellness.

Residents have the opportunity to experience The Reserve Belize’s five distinct environments, which include jungle, tropical savannah, riverine, coral reef, and Caribbean marine ecosystems. Beyond participating in the conservation efforts of the Sittee Wildlife Reserve, residents can visit the development’s private Beach Club and join the Adventurer’s League and Equestrian Center, which provides access to activities ranging from horseback riding to snorkeling and diving. Further, to promote the well-being of its residents, the reserve offers access to free food from its organic farms and is in the process of opening a holistic spa and fitness center.

While owners may choose their own builders, the reserve has both and in-house builder and preferred custom homebuilders that incorporate eco-conscious design and sustainable building materials, such as bamboo, to construct homes that make the most of the natural settings that characterize The Reserve Belize.