Friends of Swallow Caye has two rangers in the sanctuary
who work hard every day to ensure the safety of the manatee as well as visitors who come to see them. A ranger station was
constructed near the SE corner of Swallow Caye. The outside is painted with manatees on all four sides of the building. Thanks
to the ever creative Allie from Caye Caulker for designing the outside of the building.
In 2005 we received major funding from two sources:
United Nations Development Programme - Global Environmental Facility - Small Grants Programme has awarded FOSC a grant to
help us get off the ground. With this money we have already purchased a boat and engine, hired a ranger and paid for the materials
to construct and maintain the ranger station. The grant also includes funding for various educational awareness and tour guide
training workshops.
Protected Areas Conservation Trust, a governmental agency in Belize that promotes sustainable
management of protected areas, has also awarded FOSC a grant. With this we were able to purchase another boat and engine in
addition to fuel and other necessities.
We greatly appreciate their assistance and would like to thank them for
their generosity.
The office for Friends of Swallow Caye on Caye Caulker was built in March of 2006. Contributions
came from a variety of sources including generous donations from people who have gone on Chocolate's Manatee Tour. It
is located on Front Street on the beach across from Chocolate's Gift Shop. We are working on getting necessary furnishings
and plan to hire a full time office manager by the end of the year.
Thanks! Friends of Swallow Caye
