Our Story
The University of Belize Environmental Research Institute (UB-ERI), inaugurated in January 2010, was created primarily to address the large gap in local capacity for research and monitoring that exists within Belize. Belize has a wealth of natural resources, including the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, which supports the country's most important industries, including tourism and agriculture. Recognizing this, the work of the Institute is focused on producing results that are directly relevant and applicable to the sustainable management of Belize's natural resources and building local capacity for this. At a finer but equally important scale for Belize's development, the Institute was created as a semi–autonomous department of the University of Belize (UB), with transparent and efficient management of projects at its core, in order to provide a much needed mechanism for research within the University.​
OUR MISSION
'To advance environmental science and support a culture of evidence-based decision–making relevant to sustainable development in Belize.'
OUR VISION
'Environmental Science for the prosperity of Belize’s Ecosystems and Society'
"UB-ERI is a national asset that is a resource that we can all use. We at BAS have gained an other of experience and we benefit richly from this partnership that we have fostered over the years."
Amanda Acosta
Executive Director, Belize Audubon Society
OBJECTIVES
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To provide a mechanism for research that meets the natural resource management needs of Belize as identified in national plans and policies​
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To provide for the coordination and integration of environmental research to inform and influence decision-making regarding formulation of national policies, plans and laws​
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To undertake teaching and training in environmental–related fields at the undergraduate, post–graduate and professional levels to build local research capacity​
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To engage in national, regional and international collaborations for research, training and implementation of management and conservation initiatives​
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To develop the appropriate mechanisms to enable self–sustainability including the provision of technical services to public and private entities engaged in the use and management of natural resources.
UB-ERI Steering Committee
The UB-ERI Steering Committee oversees the Institute's financial stability, visibility, fundraising, and strategic plan implementation
Dr. Sherlene Enriquez-Savery
Chair, VP University of Belize​ (UB)
Alyssa Carnegie
Fluent Marketing + PR
Hugo Moguel
Vista Real Estat
Nadia Bood
World Wildlife Fund, Belize​
Ian Sangster,
UB Finance Director
​Dr. Jake L Snaddon
Director UB-ERI
Emile Mena
The Mena Group
Dr. Leroy Almendarez
BELTRAIDE
Dr. Apolonio Aguilar,
Dean UB-FST