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Entrance
of Belize Botanic Gardens |
Hidden in a scenic valley in the Cayo District, the 45-acre
Belize Botanic Gardens is alive with plants from Belize
and around the world. The Belize Botanic Gardens was registered
as a non-profit organization in 1997, after being purchased
and cleared as a personal replanting farm project by the
late Zimbabwe-born Ken duPlooy and his wife, Judy in 1994.
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Water
Lilies |
The Mission of the Gardens is to grow, study and promote
tropical flora of Belize, while focusing on future botanical
development through research, education, conservation and
sustainable agriculture, in addition to providing enjoyment
for visitors. Visitors will enjoy exotic and local flora,
tropical fruit trees, a native orchid collection, palms,
conservation displays, and plants of the Mayan culture.
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Fruit
Trees |
Upon entering the Botanic Gardens, visitors walk through
an area planted with experimental fruit trees, with some
fruit introduced from South East Asia, as potential alternative
crops for Belizean farmers. Some include litchi, rambutan,
longan and mangosteen, and are considered ideal alternatives
to the traditional citrus and banana. Workshops and presentations
will be held to promote these crops, and assistance will
be provided to encourage the preparation of a finished product,
such as fruit preserves.
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View
from Bird Blind |
The inland lagoon features a bird blind, where visitors
can enjoy, from the shady lookout, the view of Jacanas,
Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks, Herons and Least Grebes as
they swim in the pond. Migratory birds can also be seen
during the winter months. In the future, the pond will be
developed into a native Belizean mangrove habitat.
The Orchid House, built in 1999, is home to over 200 species
of orchids native to Belize, as well as small palms, cycads
and indigenous plants from around Belize. The plants used
by the ancient Maya for medicine, food and construction,
are also featured at the Gardens.
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The
Orchid House |
The Belize Botanic Gardens also focuses on exploring environmentally
sound alternatives to agricultural trends, illustrating
sustainable land use, alternative crops and organic insect
control. Student groups may visit the gardens for research
or field trips, and opportunities are also available for
volunteers.
The gardens are still growing, and to help with development,
donations are welcome, with annual membership opportunities.
In addition to plant and habitat growth, there are plans
to build a Visitor’s Center, Research Laboratories,
a nursery, herbarium, classrooms and a small-scale commercial
kitchen.
Places nearby: 
Interests:
