Community Baboon Sanctuary Women’s Conservation Group

Established in 1998, the CBSWCG was formed to oversee the management of the CBS. The CBSWCG is comprised of a President and a representative from each of the 7 communities which form the Sanctuary.

The CBSWCG is a non-profit organization that conserves the natural resources of the Community Baboon Sanctuary through education, eco-cultural tourism, scientific research, and promotion of cottage industries for the socio-economic benefit of the communities and ecological integrity of the Belize River Valley area. The Sanctuary has five main goals: Conservation, Education, Research, Eco-tourism, and Community Development.

Over the years the CBSWCG has created direct and indirect economic opportunities for many families who enjoy income from tour guiding, home stays, cultural entertainment, food preparation, and the sale of local crafts. The CBSWCG have successfully distributed over 50 small grants raging from Bz$2,500 to Bz$10,000.00 to young entrepreneurs and to strengthen existing businesses in the area that includes training in small business management, organizational management, records keeping, accounting, and development of specific business plans.

The CBSWCG projects are supported with funding from GEF/SGP, PACT, PACT foundation, German Embassy (Janus Foundation), ECADERT, and Via Venture Foundation. As a result several new businesses were created and existing ones strengthened. Examples of these businesses are: fast food shop, hair and beauty salon, home improvements to accommodate home stays, arts and crafts, catering, and certified home nursing, certified tour guides local fruit food and beverages, backyard tilapia farming , chicken , pigs , and sheep farming ,and organic backyard gardening

To date the CBSWCG successfully implemented projects in the amount of $800,000. Additionally CBSWCG received technical assistance from the Belize Tourism Board, Agriculture Department, Fisheries Department, BELTRADE, Ministry of Rural Development, Forestry, and the Evangel Credit Union and Ministry of Works.