ECOLENS Summit in Belize, Celebrating Regional Partnerships and MAR Fund’s 20th Anniversary
The Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund) continued celebrating its 20th anniversary during the cocktail party held after the ECOLENS Summit: Focusing on People and Nature, at the Belize City Civic Center on March 5, 2026. The summit brought together a diverse coalition of leaders and practitioners working to safeguard Belize’s natural heritage, creating a space for dialogue, learning, and collaboration around shared environmental priorities.
Jointly hosted by the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) and the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (BFSF) , the summit convened representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, international partners, community groups, and conservation initiatives. Through keynote talks, technical panels, and interactive discussions, the event explored the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of conservation—from strengthening protected areas and enforcement to advancing innovative financing for nature.
Within this collaborative setting, MAR Fund contributed a regional perspective on conservation finance and cross-border cooperation to protect the Mesoamerican Reef, a vital source of livelihoods and biodiversity for the region. María José González, Executive Director of MAR Fund, joined regional leaders in the panel “Unlocking Sustainable Financing for Marine Protected Areas.” Moderated by Sabreena Daly of Great Belize Media, the discussion brought together Osmany Salas (WWF Mesoamerica), Alana Godoy (The Nature Conservancy), and Fabian Kyne (Caribbean Biodiversity Fund). The panelists explored how innovative financial tools and regional cooperation can help secure resilient marine protected areas while supporting the coastal communities that depend on them.
The day concluded with a closing cocktail celebrating MAR Fund’s two decades of regional cooperation and strategic alliances with founding member Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) and the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (BFSF), alongside the many partners, friends, and allies who have contributed to advancing conservation across the region. The gathering offered an opportunity to reflect on shared achievements while reaffirming a collective commitment to the long-term protection of the Mesoamerican Reef.
Belize is home to one of the most emblematic sections of the Mesoamerican Reef, and the leadership represented in this room has been instrumental in positioning both the country and the region as an international reference in marine conservation. Our work in Belize has been made possible through strong collaboration.
– Yvonne Ramírez, President of MAR Fund’s Board of Directors
The cocktail also included a tribute to individuals whose work has shaped the conservation history of the Mesoamerican Reef. Beverly Wade, CEO of Belize’s Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, was also honored for her decades of public service and her leadership in advancing marine policy, strengthening marine reserves, and promoting innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable ocean management. Marine scientist Melanie McField was also recognized for her pioneering leadership in reef science and for spearheading the world’s first coral reef “report card,” an initiative that has helped guide conservation action across the region for nearly two decades. Together, the recognitions highlighted the power of science, policy, and collaboration in safeguarding the future of the reef.
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- Beverly Wade and María José González
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- Melanie McField and Yvonne Ramírez
As part of its anniversary year, MAR Fund also announced the completion of a commemorative book to be launched later this year. The publication brings together the stories, partnerships, and shared achievements that have shaped two decades of conservation across the Mesoamerican Reef region, serving as both a reflection on the journey so far and an invitation to continue building the reef’s future together.
As MAR Fund marks twenty years of regional impact, it affirms its commitment to advancing climate action, promoting sustainable fisheries, and supporting the transition toward a regenerative blue economy—one that values inclusion, innovation, and women’s leadership as key drivers of resilience.
Photos: Eliceo Cobb/MAR Fund
