SATIIM, Punta Gorda, Belize

Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) was born from a committee founded in 1997, which was formed of community members coming together to manage the land and natural resources within the Sarstoon Temash National Park, an extremely important home of biodiversity, over 41,000 acres in size. 

SATIIM's mission is : To safeguard the ecological integrity of the Sarstoon Temash region, and employ its resources in an environmentally sound manner for the economic, social, cultural and spiritual well-being of its indigenous people. 

The organisation has two main areas of focus, which go hand in hand. Conservation of the land and sustainable management of its resources in turn leads to empowerment of the local Maya community. The organisation reacts to threats against the local environment and that of neighbouring countries, raising awareness of environmental protection through campaigns and local media. SATIIM also offers capacity building in agriculture and business to Maya women in the region, helping the women to use their lands in order to prosper. 

Read more about SATIIM on their website.