Friends of the SCMR
Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve
The Sapodilla Cays was declared a Marine Reserve in 1996. The reserve encompasses approximately 125 square kilometers. It includes eight (8) sand and mangrove cayes. The SCMR is located in the Toledo District at the southern terminus of the barrier reef – a World Heritage Site. The reserve is co-managed by the Fisheries Department and TASTE. A SCMR Management plan has been developed to assist with the sustainable management and conservation of marine resources within the protected area.
The inhabitants of the reef appreciate having FRIENDS who are committed to the preservation and conservation of our aquatic environment.
What is it?
TASTE (Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism and Empowerment) works to assist in the development of Toledo (Belize, Central America) and its citizens. We are a non-profit, non-governmental, apolitical organization designed to promote an understanding of, and an interest in, sustainable development.
Who are we?
We are Belizeans from all walks of life living in the Toledo District. We are committed to development of:
§ Managing protected areas
§ Tourism
§ Agro-forestry
§ Appropriate technology
§ Sustainable small scale organic agriculture
§ Waste management
§ Rural and urban development
Mission Statement:
The mission of TASTE is to assist in the sustainable and appropriate development of Toledo and its citizens and to preserve the health of its marine environment.
How to Accomplish:
TASTE fulfills its mission by carrying out educational and development projects, which increase understanding of environmental problems and promote solutions to these and other development issues in the District.
YOU can help protect the fragile coral reef ecosystem.
“Sponsor a Polyp Colony”
“Hi!
I’m Philip, the spokes-polyp for the 10 billion individual polyps at the Sapodilla Cays Marine
The reason I was chosen as spokes-polyp is my ability to filter the water better than any other polyp. I have more tentacles than the others. After all, we’re single cavity marine invertebrates. My objective now is to filter the human environment for green. You know, those rectangular bits of paper printed in green ink with various values and presidents heads on them. This ‘green’ not unlike some algae I know, can achieve a lot of good for us polyp folks.
Our community, (you all call it a reef) needs a lot of help. In order to keep our neighborhood clean, free from pollution and able to provide a base for a complete eco niche, we must have positive and tangible human intervention. Our human partners are the good people at TASTE. They are charged with the responsibility to help keep our reef apartments in tiptop order. They have many programs concerning our health to share with you
Together with TASTE we realized that we all need patrons. You know, people who contribute money to sponsor a polyp colony, a section of the reef. At the main reserve center we have a map with all the colony complexes being supported. Whoever supports those complexes get their name printed along side that colony (i.e. Mrs. Nickerson Reef Colony Complex with 1,000,000 habitats). You can find this information on the web site – T.A.S.T.E
Did you know that OIL TANKERS go by my complex every other day and the shipping has increased radically?
ON-GOING PROJECTS
Barrier Reef Conservation
Environmental Education-Outreach
Marine Eco-tourism
Research
Monitoring, Evaluating, Surveying Reef Health
Beach and underwater clean-up
TLC - SCMR volunteers wanted!
No experience necessary Experience comes from participating!
Get Real!
Get Reefed!
Get Involved!
TASTE – the appropriate NGO
Toledo Association for Sustainable Tourism and Empowerment
P.O. Box 18, Punta Gorda Town
Toledo District, Belize, Central America
Tel/Fax: 501-722-0191 Email: taste_scmr@btl.net
I would like to sponsor for one year the:
q Staghorn Coral Duplex $ 50.US
q Elkhorn Coral Triplex $ 75.US
q Brain Coral Condominium $100.US
q Boulder Coral Apartment $300.US
q Lettuce Coral Suburb $500.US
q Star Coral City Block $800.US
q Black Coral Penthouse $1,000.US
If you particularly like soft corals and are very kind:
Sea Fan City_________________$ 5,000.US
Sea Feather County___________$ 7,000.US
If you represent an company, organization or are an individual who would like to sponsor the reef world with a donation in excess of $10,000US, we will put your name on a map in the reserve center and define that section of reef by your name!
Your contribution is tax deductible through our fiscal agent Plenty International
Name/Company: ______________________________
Address: ____________________________
____________________________________
City: _______________________________
State/Zip Code: ______________________
E-mail: _____________________________
Please print the above make your check/money order payable to TASTE/SCMR c/o PLENTY.
Plenty International
P.O. Box 394 , Summertown, TN 38483
TASTE | Mangrove Planting | Co-Management | Friends of the SCMR | TASTE/SCMR
06/03/03
