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.