First Phase of Project Completed by North Team and South Team Get a Special Visit

The North team have managed to clear the first 3.5km of the boundary line. With the first phase complete, the group are rewarding themselves with a trek to see a bit more of the rainforest. They headed to San Jose on Sunday 24th February where the trek started and they returned this weekend to begin phase 2 of the project which will be to clear the other 9km of boundary! Phase 2 will also involve the group finding water. It may be the rainforest but because the team are going so remote, they are yet to find easy access to a natural source. Belize Defence Force is currently delivering plenty of water to them in jerry cans until they find water of their own…All adding to a sense of adventure for the group!

Talking about a sense of adventure, we mentioned that the groups had a difficult time getting into their project sites on a previous blog? Here is what they had to contend with.....




The South Team have begun the construction work on project. The group have had a visit from 2 light engineers- members of Belize Defence Force who are assisting with the construction work. South Team also had a visit from country manager Greg, who flew in by helicopter with Brigadier, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Manzanero (CEO of Friends for Conservation Development) and the Minister for Defence to talk to the volunteers and witness the exciting developments which Trekforce are proud to be a part of!

Project Groups Chosen

Sooner than expected we have had a call from the jungle! Country Manager Greg called us at 4pm UK time on Monday from the Trekforce Satellite phone to tell us that the volunteers had chosen their project groups and everyone was in good spirits after their first few days in the rainforest.

The Northern Project Group are:

Standing (L to R): Ian (AL) Lara, Jim, Tess, Alex McGee, Kat, Laura, Stuart, Dr Josh
Kneeling (L to R): Katie (EL), Eloise, Josie (Nurse) Clare, Sara




The volunteers’ main focus of the project will be to mark out the 13k boundary line for the National Park. This will include clearing jungle across tough terrain- A real challenge! The group will also record any notable flora or fauna they see along the way too. They could be returning in 2 months time having discovered a new plant or spotted a rarely seen frog!

The Southern Project Group are:

Standing (L to R): John “Boo”, Will (Staff Assistant), Alex McNichol, Nick, Kieron, Sully (EL), Simon (AL)
Kneeling (L to R): Lawrence, Sophie, Synoeve, Sam, Kat (Nurse), Vanessa



The group will be in the south of the Chiquibul National Park which is a largely unknown area. Farmers on the Guatemalan side of the border have been cutting jungle for farmland but this cutting is now encroaching onto the Belizean border and the Chiquibul National Park. If they keep going, the jungle will sadly be destroyed. The main aim of the project is to construct an observation post, accommodation and cooking facilities for national park rangers to inhibit these illegal activities effectively.

The groups had a slow and challenging journey onto their project sites, as the roads and jungle tracks were extremely muddy due to the rainfall they had had over the last few days. However, they made it! And apart from a few sore feet, the volunteers can’t wait to get stuck into their rewarding projects!

When we get the next report from the jungle we will let you know, but remember, no news is good news!

Trekforce HQ