signing-picOn November 15th, 2016, Executive Director Rafael Manzanero of Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) – with the endorsement of GOB and supported by the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development –signed an agreement with Dr. Chris Minty of SELVANA Ltd., a UK-based company, to set out the delivery of activity on the Maya 20/20 project. The signing was held at the Belize High Commission in London and witnessed by High Commissioner Perdomo. The Maya 2020 Project is a collaboration between FCD and Selvana Ltd with the aim of supporting the sustainable forest conservation objectives of FCD as the only non–governmental organization with an assertive management presence in the park.

The collaboration has developed a unique approach to halting the illegal activities within the forest.  By using a range of remotely sensed imagery techniques and ground-based acoustic technology, a global network of trained volunteer observers will monitor the forest in real-time from anywhere in the world – 24hrs a day, 7 days a week.

Maya 2020 has recently been endorsed by Her Majesty the Queen through the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy Initiative. It was launched at Buckingham Palace on 15th November 2016, with a short speech by High Commissioner Perdomo. The initiative aims to set a new global standard in forest conservation whilst providing sustainable jobs for local people.

Maya 2020 is not only supported by the Belize High Commission, but also endorsed by Rainforest Concern, a UK Charity helping to conserve rainforest. The project has also received support from the Tremough Innovation centre in Falmouth developing early project concepts and models.