2010 - Directory of Protected Areas in Belize
Landscape Context
The National Park lies on the Hummingbird Highway, in the limestone foothills of CONSERVATION THREATS the Maya Mountains Massif, some 2.4km north of the Sibun Forest Reserve. Biological connectivity still remains within the Massif via largely undisturbed Illegal hunting forest cover. The primary economic activity within the area is agriculture, Illegal xate harvesting focused on citrus farming, utilizing the rich alluvial soils of the river valleys. In the Visitor security immediate landscape, there is a combination of large citrus plantations in the Caves Branch area, and a patchwork of smaller holdings around Ringtail (the nearest community), that follow the road through the valley. Armenia Village, the largest community settlement closely buffering St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park, is located just 4 miles to the north, and is more focused on employment opportunities within the Caves Branch Area and Belmopan City, located approximately 12 miles north of the National Park. History of Establishment
The Blue Hole has been a popular recreational destination in Belize for many years, for both swimming and bird watching. As early as 1965, the nearby St. Herman’s Cave was also recognized as a potential tourism venue, leading to the Government of Belize acquiring a portion of the site in the early 1960’s, and the remainder in the 1970’s. It was finally declared a National Park in 1986, for the “protection and preservation of natural and scenic values of national significance for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.” The protected area was established as the ‘Blue Hole National Park’, but was later changed in 2005 to ‘St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park’, to avoid confusion with the ‘Blue Hole Natural Monument’, a part of the marine protected areas system Management Regime
In keeping with its designation as a National Park, St. Herman’s Blue Hole is a completely non-extractive protected area, with the management goal to conserve natural and cultural resources for ecosystem values, education, and recreation through collaboration with relevant stakeholders (Belize Audubon Society, 2010). Legislative responsibility for the National Park is held by the Forest Department, and the area is managed through a collaborative partnership with the Belize Audubon Society (BAS).
SITE INFORMATION Size: 574.5 acres (233 ha) Statutory Instrument: SI 109 of 1986 IUCN Category: II Management Authority: Forest Department Co-management Partner: Belize Audubon Society (BAS) Contact E-mail: base@btl.net Web site: www.belizeaudubon.org Location: The National Park is located on the Hummingbird Highway, 12 miles southeast of Belmopan Uses: Non-extractive – tourism, education and research Management Plan: Currently being updated) Biodiversity Information: Birds Facilities (2009): Visitors Centre, Ranger’s House, Lookout Tower, Gift shop Building and Exhibit Centre Visitation (2009): 9524 visitors On-site Staff (2009): 1 site manager, 4 rangers, supported by BAS administrative staff and programme support staff
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National Park
Not only is the area important in providing protection for at least ten species of international concern, but it is also an important component in the representation of karstic limestone features within the National Protected Areas System. The park is also home to approximately 226 species of birds including species of conservation concern such as the Great Curassow, Crested Guan, and King Vulture.