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Keel-Billed
Toucan - National Bird of Belize |
The Rio Bravo Conservation Area is located in the Orange
Walk District, and is owned and managed by a private nonprofit
Belizean organization, Programme for Belize. The area consists
of some 250,000 acres; made up of a combination of broadleaf
forest, swamp forest, palm forest, savannah, and marshland.
The area is managed for conservation, scientific research,
sustained yield-timber harvesting, non-timber forest product
extraction, ecotourism and educational purposes.
The area that is now Rio Bravo was once logging territory.
Most of the land was once owned by Belize Estate & Produce
Company, a logging operation.
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Wide
Variety of Trees and Plant Life |
Up until the mid 1960’s, these areas were selectively
logged for hardwood trees, primarily mahogany and cedar.
Logs were transported via railroad to Hillbank Lagoon, 45
miles away. From Hillbank, the logs were floated to Belize
City via the New River Lagoon and Orange Walk. They were
then shipped to England from Belize City, or used locally.
There are two field stations that cater to birders, nature
enthusiasts, and student groups: La Milpa Field Station
and Hill Bank Field Station, both located at opposite ends
of the reserve. Hill Bank Field Station is located near
the New River Lagoon, close to Lamanai archaeological site,
and La Milpa Field Station is located near La Milpa Archaeological
Reserve.
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Vibrant
Heliconia |
Both field stations offer accommodations and meals, with
rustic lodging, as well as dormitory style facilities. There
are many trails near the stations, and numerous birds can
be spotted just by walking around either of the properties
in the early-morning. Deer, cats, wild turkeys, foxes, peccary
and other wildlife are sighted regularly. The jaguar, ocelot,
margay, jaguarondi and puma have also been sighted.
It is said that more wildlife has been spotted in the Rio
Bravo Conservation area, than anywhere else in the country.
Jaguar sightings, according to resident rangers, are the
norm. Toucans fly freely, in abundance, with many other
species of birds. This area is truly a paradise for birders
and nature enthusiasts.
Places nearby: 
Interests:
