SACD welcomed the site visit of MAR Fund representatives to Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary during the 29th- 31st of October, 2018.
The main purpose of the visit was to evaluate progress on the current OAK re-granting project entitled “Strengthening SACD management and institutional capacity to improve long term financial and management sustainability” provided to SACD, with start date 5th October 2017.
Among the highlights for the first year of implementation:
1. SACD is happy to have improved its management capacity and management effectiveness with the support of this project. SACD has a Draft Strategic Plan (2018-2023) that is ensuring that integrated monitoring and evaluation frameworks are established.
2. The Board members, Staff, CBAC members and even Community Researchers have increased their knowledge about their roles in the governance and management of the protected area through their participation in various capacity building sessions.
3. SACD is now fully recognized as an NGO under the Belize NGO Act.
4. SACD have also shown to have reached its targeted management effectiveness score of 71.3% in just the first year of implementation of this project.
5. Implementation of its Financial Mobilization Plan have started, with the identification of the priority income generating businesses to be established.
6. A business structure is being incorporated with the lawyer already providing the technical advice and services to process requirements.
7. The Financial Officer has been improving his accounting and financial management skills, with a completed mentoring through Accountants for International Development (AFiD) and a completed Quick Books training through Beltraid.
8. SACD successfully completed is 2017 annual financial audit.
9. SACD has maintain its current staff and has increased its community researchers during 2018.
10. Staff evaluations have been completed and salary increments were established where applicable as an incentive to increase motivation and effectiveness.
11. Patrols have been maintained at 3 per week, 1 patrol per month at trans-boundary level and 1 per month at system level.
12. Patrols are addressing illegal and trans-boundary issues.
13. Monitoring of conservation targets have been maintained.
Without the support of this project that provides a percentage of fund required to cover SACD’s salary and operational expenses, we would not be able to achieve the expected management results for CBWS.
Thank you OAK Foundation and MAR Fund for your usual support!