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.