Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Daniel Velazquez put together a short video showing some of the damage Eta caused to Bullet Tree Falls.  There are multiple GoFundMe pages to help those in need.  Any assistance is highly appreciated.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHfzQ9RFg1n/

"Bullet Tree Falls is a small village located in the Cayo District of Belize, along the Mopan River. The people of this village have suffered great losses during the recent flooding from hurricane Etna.

The families affected are in need of urgent immediate necessities such as FOOD, CLEAN WATER, SHELTER, beds, clothing, appliances, school supplies, building supplies, and more. Some of their houses are still underwater and they do not even have food to eat. We are raising money to provide vouchers for local families, who do not have insurance or any assistance, especially those with children and the elderly, to use at local supply shops to meet their individual needs.

For those of you who know me, this is the village I lived in for many years and the people there are family to me. Please contribute what you can!!!!!
Link to page..https://www.gofundme.com/f/bullet-tree-falls-flood-relief"

Video of the day.  A high res tour of Xunantunich.  Everyone loves Xunantunich.

"Xunantunich (Mayan pronunciation: [ʃunanˈtunitʃ]) is an Ancient Maya archaeological site in western Belize, about 70 miles (110 km) west of Belize City, in the Cayo District. Xunantunich is located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, well within sight of the Guatemala border – which is a mere 0.6 miles (1 km) to the west. It served as a Maya civic ceremonial center in the Late and Terminal Classic periods to the Belize Valley region. At this time, when the region was at its peak, nearly 200,000 people lived in Belize."

Belize's first Biobarda, a river strainer made mostly of plastic, and created to catch plastic from the Mopan river, will be inaugurated in Benque on Monday, December 16th.

"Celebrate the launch of a great community effort to control the flow of trash in the Mopan and Belize rivers with a Biobarda. Join us Monday, in Benque, at 9:30."

The FCD EYG and Todos Por Un Mundo Verde signed the historical Declaration of Yaxha.  The declaration pledges their continued support of conservation efforts for the Chiquibul and Mopan River Valley.  They want to eliminate pollution of the Chiquibul, Mopan, Macal, and Belize rivers.  Congratulations to all the youths that participated in this herculean effort.  

"Friends for Conservation and Development Environmental Youth Group Acting President Ricky Cunil and President of Todos Por Un Mundo Verde Sindy Sagastume sign historical youth declaration for Belize and Guatemala the Declaraion of Yaxha along with their delegations. DECLARATION OF YAXHA We, the youth members of the environmental groups Todos Por Un Mundo Verde established in Melchor de Mencos Peten, Guatemala and FCD Environmental Youth Group established in San Jose Succotz, Belize, meeting at El Sombrero Eco Lodge, Yaxha, Flores Peten, Guatemala on March 2nd and 3rd, 2019, express our commitments to join efforts to work together to work together for the conservation and protection of natural resources that we have in our countries ad for the Chiquibul and Mopan River which we share... 

It is worth mentioning that the groups have implemented activities such as: awareness and education outreach, local and binational clean-up campaign, reforestations, binational workshops and exchanges and dissemination of information through the media, all these contributing to the strengthening of both groups.

Recognizing that pollution is currently a global problem that seriously affect humanity since developed or developing countries are the ones that produce the most garbage, many of these ending up in the oceans, and negatively affecting the lives of many species leading to their extinction. Pollution by smoke is the cause of many diseases such as cancer or asthma in humans, mainly in large cities mostly in the Asian continent, but we are not oblivious to this reality. Our ecosystem is directly affected by deforestation, illegal logging, forest fires, clandestine gold ranching, poisoning of rivers for fishing, all leading to the extinction of many species that inhabit rivers and terrestrial species. Due to our local geography, the headwaters of the Chiquibul River originates in the Maya Mountains of Belize and this river crosses over to Guatemala, passing through several communities that are settled on the riverbanks and joins the Macal River still in the territory of Guatemala in the community of Los Encounters. The Mopan River then later enters Belizean territory and joins the Macal River which discharges into the Caribbean Sea. Humans are the only specie that causes pollution par excellence because they produce waste in almost all the activities carried out and much of that garbage do not reach their proper destinations at the garbage dump sites; thus causing pollution of the environment and especially of our waters.

Only by working together can we do great things for our environment, which is why we ratify our commitment to work hard to achieve the fulfillment of the visions, commitments and recommendations that have been embodied in this binational youth declaration that will guide our actions to be taken by the organized groups in Guatemala and Belize respectively. VISIONS We, the youth have a Vision of a world where the natural resources in our countries are valued and protected, where we can coexist in harmony and sustainability with nature without compromising our environment. 1. Strengthen the collaboration work to achieve the accomplishments of the activities embodied in binational actions plan 2018-2019 developed jointly by both environmental groups. 2. Together, work towards the mitigation of the pollution of our rivers by contamination such as garbage, toxic waste, extensive livestock and grey waters. 3. To be directly involved with the topic of environmental awareness and education; with this we seek to educate children and young people so that they can change their attitudes and behaviours, thus instilling a culture of protection and conservation of our natural resources. 4. With the resources available, work for the conservation, protection and mitigation of the pollution that affects our rivers and which can be carried out through presentation and workshops in the areas where there is greater contamination. 5. Carry out clean-up campaigns and involve the people who reside in the areas where the activities are carried out in order to influence a change in environmental culture."

Sandro Teck, a well known artist from Bullet Tree Falls, is highlighted in the documentary about the Maya in the modern day.  Scott Saiz, one of the New Mexico State University students who took the Belize Documentary Film course over the Summer, did this wonderful documentary, which not only features Sandro and his family, but also manages to capture some of Belize's wildlife at the same time.  Xunantunich is shown in the documentary too.  They even go spearfishing in the Mopan to catch some fish.  Well worth the watch.

"Documentary about a Belize Artist and his way of life in 2013"

Hanna Stables horseback ride to Xunantunich has become one of the more popular tours around Cayo.  Add a stop to Benny's Kitchen for lunch, and you have the perfect half day tour.  Santiago is definitely the horse whisperer.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151669721471162.1073741885.265387546161

http://www.hannastables.com/horseback-riding-tours/

"The ride to Xunantunich is pleasant and scenic, including the crossing of the Mopan river by a hand-churned ferry.  Just a little further on are the well known Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.  Also, if it’s a lucky day, you will be able to experience an up close encounter with howler monkeys.

The Xunantunich ride has a duration 1 ½ hours of riding to the site and approximately 2 hours hiking of the site, and an additional 2 hours ride back.  This is a half day to a full day ride depending on the request of the guest.  Lunch stops can be included to a feast of local dishes in a pristine setting along the river. Please indicate in the booking form if you would like lunch included."

They have 55 perfect reviews, and 2 great reviews on Trip Advisor.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g291971-d2441112-Reviews-Hanna_Stables-San_Ignacio_Cayo.html ;

Humorus post of the day.  Ka'ana has come up with a pair of chic sunglasses for Cayo.  The leonard matte tortoise shell acetate sunglasses that have the name of 'Illesteva.'  Cool.  Funny.  Has anyone worn them on Xunantunich?

"On the western side of Belize, you will find the Cayo District spreading over 2,000 square miles of luscious landscape.  This area shows an incredible wealth of interest and activities for tourists and is also the gateway to Guatemala and the incredible ruins of Tikal.  The Mountain Pine Ridge is often named the main attraction of the area, but the Cayo District also includes many great Mayan ruins, the towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, the border town of Benque Viejo and the lush valley between the scenic Mopan and Macal rivers."

Volunteers are needed for the Mopan River Reforestation Project, a joint effort between the DYS and the FCD.  The project happens on Tuesday, August 4th, and starts at 6:30am.  Let them know if you're interested via the form.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDXKAwPlt9R/

"The Department of Youth Services (DYS) has partnered with Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) to carry out a reforestation project of approximately 10,000 seedlings that consist and are not limited to trees such as , Mahogany, Ceder , Tambran and many more.

Volunteers are needed to help carry out this project which is to plant 200 seedlings along the Mopan River.

A reforestation project will take place on August 4, 2020. Starting at 6:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Interested volunteers are hereby called to register with the Department of Youth Services to be part of this project.

For more information call the Department of Youth Services @ 803-3027 or visit our office situated above Election and Boundaries on the Cor. of Liberty & Kennedy Street between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m."

The 2nd Bio-Barrier has been installed, this one being placed on the Mopan river at Garbutt Falls in Benque.  The bio-barrier helps to catch trash, and is made of recycled plastic bottles.  Thanks, Rotary, and everyone that helped with this amazing initiative!

Pictures of the event, and videos of the event.

"Last Sunday March 8, 2020, our club installed a second bio-barrier on the Mopan River. This will greatly help to trap floating solid plastic from continuing its way down into town. This barrier will help us identify Benque Viejo's waste and to be more conscious about the importance of clean Waters...

It takes a great deal of work to make the barrier and install it. It will trap floating trash and debris which will then be bagged and removed from the river. Thank you to the Club members, the Rotaract Club of Benque and other community groups and members who are making this clean-up effort so effective!"

Feelgood news of the day.  The FCD Environmental Youth Group celebrated World Water Day with a river clean up, and they also installed garbage drums along the Mopan in Succotz.  Thanks, FCD EYG!  Hopefully the drums will be used, which will free them up to concentrate on other important community service projects.

"Today FCD Environmental Youth Group while conducting a river cleanup camping along the Mopan River in commemoration of world water day they installed garbage drums. This is part of an MOU signed with the Village Council where FCD Environmental Youth Group adopted one mile of the river bank. The much needed drums where installed in key areas to alleviate the problem of improper garbage disposal by people who visit the Mopan River.

FCD Environmental Youth Group continues committed to the protection of our beautiful Mopan River."

While many of Xunantunich's secrets will never be revealed, we do know a lot about its history.  Cruz Cambranes wrote an article about some of the lesser known facts.

"Why did the people of Xunantunich choose to build their city on top of the ridge?  Is it possible that they felt closer to the Gods?  If that is so, why didn’t they build it to the south in the Vaca plateau, which is in view from the top of the tallest building at Xunantunich?  There is no single answer to this question, but a there are a combination of human behaviors that give us the answer we seek.  Although the ridge where Xunantunich sits is not the highest, it can be seen from everywhere, telling us that they were not hiding, but rather that they wanted to be seen.  They wanted everyone to know where the powerful people lived.  The ridge is also located a mile from the Mopan River, which makes it a strategic location for trade.  Merchants would bring their products for trade from the coast, like salt, preserved fish and products from further inland of Guatemala, such as ceramics, textile and jade.  The ridge also creates a natural defense by way of a very steep slope on the western side of the site, thus allowing the maya to limit their entrances from the east via two causeways."

Here's a fan video of Xunantunich and the 'world famous' hand cranked ferry.  There's some narration, along with well placed stills from the site.

"Xunantunich Ruins are just north of San Ignacio on the northern highway as you approach Guatemala.  a very beautiful set of ruins but the day was very hot, we stayed out as long as we could but in the end the sun won.  When in the country these are a great set of ruins to visit especially because of the hand crank that is used to across the Mopan river.  So pretty along side this lovely little place .. it might be the biggest ruins you will encounter but they are certainly challenging .. lets see you climb to the of El Castillo.  more to come stayed for the next video of our adventures in Belize"

Island Expeditions has a great list of eco adventures one can do around Cayo.  The SIRH's Green Iguana Conservation Project gets a great review, as do the Belize Botanic Gardens at DuPlooy's, and Chaa Creek's Natural History Museum and Butterfly Farm.  David, from David's Adventure Tours, is shown preparing to explore Barton Creek Cave.

"The eco adventures I recommend are going to the San Ignacio farmers’ market, exploring Maya temples and Maya caves, Mountain Pine Ridge sightseeing, taking a day trip to Chaa Creek’s butterfly farm, medicinal trail and natural history museum, exploring the Macal and Mopan river, visiting the San Ignacio Resort Green Iguana exhibit, touring DuPlooy’s Botanical Garden, and Cave Tubing or Zip-Lining at Jaguar Paw."