Mission
The Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative (CSFI) is a Belizean, not-for-profit, NGO dedicated to the management, protection, and conservation of important national protected areas in north-eastern Belize, through effective vigilance, scientific research, environmental education, community outreach and engagement, strategic alliances, and the creation of new economic models for the benefit of the people of Belize.
CSFI strives to be a model of good governance and to remain, at all times, a strictly field-based organization. Over the years, CSFI has enjoyed strong working relationships with the Government of Belize and has signed official co-management agreements for the management of the northern part of the country’s system of protected areas. Its main aim is to ensure that Shipstern Nature Reserve and the North-eastern Biological Corridor, both national protected areas under its management, are protected and conserved in perpetuity and continue to support thriving flora and fauna, provide economic opportunities and benefits to local stakeholders, and serve as a model for successful protected areas management and stewardship in Belize and the region.
History
The Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative, originally known as Shipstern Nature Reserve (Belize) Ltd, was first established as a not-for-profit company in 1989 by the International Tropical Conservation Fund (ITCF) an NGO based at the Papiliorama Zoo in Switzerland and the Burgers Zoo in Arnhem, Netherlands. It was later registered as a Non-Governmental Organization in 2006 and in 2012 renamed CSFI to match both scope and diversity of current and future efforts.
CSFI’s flagship protected area, Shipstern Nature Reserve, was first owned by a British enterprise during the 1980s and therefore partly managed as a private reserve known as Shipstern Wildlife Preserve. The name Shipstern Nature Reserve was given in 1989, when management and ownership was transferred to the International Tropical Conservation Foundation (ITCF). Today, this initial private protected area has become a trust for the People of Belize and is now known as the Shipstern Conservation and Management Area and recognized an official and critical component of the National Protected Areas of Belize.
Partnership with WLT
Following a site visit in 2018, CSFI became conservation partners of World Land Trust, working together to create a corridor between the protected areas that CSFI manage in northern Belize.
The successful Jungle for Jaguars appeal enabled CSFI to purchase 8,154 acres of tropical forest in the North-eastern Biological Corridor, and following from this success, an opportunity to purchase 1,818 acres through the Buy an Acre fund arose. Combined, these land purchase are connecting 88,500 acres of protected habitat.
Other Activities
In addition to Shipstern Conservation and Management Area, CSFI manages 2 other protected areas in the Northern Biological Corridor – Honey Camp and Freshwater Creek.
