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Conservation

Learn More About TIDE's Programs
RIOBLANCO

MAYA MOUNTAIN MARINE CORRIDOR

The Natural Choice for Responsible Travel

Ridge to Reef Expeditions is supporting TIDE to conserve biodiversity and build a prosperous green economy in the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor of southern Belize.

From the lush rainforests of the Maya Mountains to the coral reefs of the Snake Cayes, the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor encompasses 830,000 acres of some of the most pristine ecosystems in the entire Mesoamerican Biodiversity hotspot.

43 distinct ecosystems provide habitat for 108 mammal species, over 350 birds, over 100 reptiles and amphibians, and more than 50 species of global conservation concern.

As the name suggests, the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor is a wildlife corridor that connects two large blocks of intact forest, the Maya Mountain Massif and the lowland forests of southern Belize.

The biological value of this remarkable area has led to the designation of 12 protected areas, which together safeguard 75% of the land and sea.

The area is rich in cultural and ethnic diversity too. Archaeological ruins at Lubantuum and Nim Li Punit stand as testament to the ancient Maya, whose descendents continue to live here today, alongside Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, East Indian, Mennonite and other peoples, each with its own culture and language, and all united by a Belizean identity.

 

Maya Mountain Marine Corridor

Species of global conservation concern in the MMMC.

“The views from the Maya Mountains are like a glimpse into the past, back to a different world when forests blanketed the whole of Mesoamerica.”
James Lord, Former TIDE Development Director

Critically Endangered

Morelet’s treefrog

Agalychnis moreletti

Central American river turtle

Dermatemys mawii

Zamia prasina cycad palm

Zamia prasina

Goliath grouper

Epinephelus itajara

Hawksbill turtle

Eretmochelys imbricate

Staghorn coral

Acropora cervicornis

Elkhorn coral

Acropora palmata

Endangered

Yucatan black howler monkey

Alouatta pigra

Baird’s tapir

Tapirus bairdii

Sabrina’s rain frog

Eleutherodactylus sabrinus

Yellow-headed parrot

Amazona oratrix

Least sac winged bat

Balantiopteryx io

Yaxnik / fiddlewood

Vitex gaumeri

Central American spider monkey

Ateles geoffroyi andAteles geoffroyi ssp. Yucatensis

Loggerhead turtle

Caretta caretta

Green turtle

Chelonia mydas

Nassau grouper

Epinephelus striatus

Great hammerhead

Sphyrna mokarran

Star coral

Montastraea annularis

Star coral

Montastraea faveolata

Vulnerable

Woolly opossum

Caluromys derbianus

Keel-billed motmot

Electron carinatum

Limestone rain frog

Eleutherodactylus psephosypharus

Van Gelder’s bat

Bauerus dubiaquercus meyeri

Elegant myotis

Myotis elegans / keasyii

Large-leaved mahogany

Swietenia macrophylla

Leatherback turtle

Dermochelys coriacea

West Indian manatee

Trichechus manatus manatus

American crocodile

Crocodylus acutus

Mutton snapper

Lutjanus analis

Rainbow parrotfish

Scarus guacamaia

Queen triggerfish

Balistes vetula

Hogfish

Lachnolaimus maximus

Cubera snapper

Lutjanus cyanopterus

Near-Theatened

Underwood’s mastiff bat

Eumops underwoodi

Water opossum

Chironectes minimus

Cacomistle

Bassiriscus sumichrasti

Jaguar

Panthera onca

Puma

Puma concolor

Great curassow

Craz rubra

Common slider

Trachemys scripta

Rainforest toad

Bufo campbelli

Chac rain frog

Eleutherodactylus chac

Maya Mountain frog

Rana juliana

Black rail

Laterallus jamaicensis

Black catbird

Melanoptila glabirstris

Mexican giant musk turtle

Staurotypus triporcatus

Cycad, palmitta palm

Zamia polymorpha

Data Deficient

Neotropical river otter

Lontra longicaudis

Red brocket deer

Mazama americana

Spotted eagle ray

Aetobatus narinari

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STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

Welcome study abroad planners!

For almost twenty years, TIDE Tours has been providing study abroad opportunities to students from around the world. Through our Ridge to Reef Expeditions program, we can now connect students even more closely to TIDE’s conservation and community projects, providing outstanding learning experiences and cultural exchange in a hands-on environment.

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