Studying the Role of Indigenous and Traditional Womenin Conservation and Ecotourism in Belize

Joan Dudney and fellow student Bryden Johnston will research the roles that traditional and indigenous women play in both conservation and ecotourism in Belize during the summer of 2005. Although Belize has one of the longest histories of conservation within Latin America, the indigenous and traditional peoples continuously fight to be included in both governmental and NGO conservation organizations. There are a significant number of women involved in these organizations and Joan plans to explore the goals behind the women?s organizations. Joan will be focusing her research on the women working or leading environmental NGOs and community based organizations. She hopes to assess the economic effects of conservation planning on indigenous and traditional women and to make a comparison between their previous job opportunities and their current positions. In addition, the research will explore the women?s beliefs about current conservations projects and the future of Belize. Joan will interview the women in order to access whether they believe their interests and needs are met and their ideas are recognized by their employers and within their communities