Southern Environmental Association

| Footsteps Belize 🌊🐒

This week, we are proud to highlight Footsteps Belize, a locally owned and family-operated tour company built from the shared dream of husband-and-wife team Brent and Anna Young.

Founded in 2022, Footsteps Belize was created through faith, hard work, a deep love for Belize, and the courage to take a chance on a family dream. Brent, originally from the village of Monkey River, has always had a strong connection to Belize’s natural wonders, a passion shared by Anna and reflected in every experience they offer.

With over 23 years of tour guiding experience, Brent brings extensive knowledge, professionalism, and local insight to every adventure. His friendly personality and commitment to exceptional service have made him a trusted and well-loved guide among both local and international visitors.

Determined to build something of their own, Brent and Anna invested their savings in purchasing a boat and launched a small tour operation called “Take a Trip with Brent.” As their reputation for personalized experiences grew, so did their vision. Realizing their company had become something bigger than one person, they rebranded as Footsteps Belize, a name that reflects the unforgettable journeys they create and the meaningful impact they strive to leave behind.

Today, Footsteps Belize offers a variety of authentic Belizean experiences. Their Monkey River Tour holds a special place in their hearts, allowing them to share the village and river that shaped their lives. They also offer fishing adventures, including fly fishing, spear fishing, trolling, live bait fishing, and bottom fishing, as well as snorkeling and island-hopping experiences that showcase Belize’s incredible marine environment.

Over the years, Brent and Anna have built lasting friendships with guests from around the world while doing what they love most, sharing the beauty of Belize and leaving positive footsteps behind.

We are proud to highlight Footsteps Belize for their commitment to sustainable tourism, personalized experiences, and protecting Belize’s natural treasures for future generations.

Contact Footsteps Belize:
📍 Placencia / Independence, Belize
📱 Phone/WhatsApp: +501 616-0638
📧 Email: [email protected]

Our second SEA Beyond the Reef: Where Community Meets Conservation...online! 🌊💻

SEA extends sincere thanks to Mr. Denis Maldonado for inviting us to present virtually to his Galen University, Belize Sustainable Development class, with over 30 students in attendance.

The session was presented by SEA’s protected areas manager, Ms. Andrea Cowo, and community officer, Ms. Valeria Murray. During the presentation, we shared more about our work in marine conservation, the two protected areas we co-manage, Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve and Laughing Bird Caye National Park, our key program areas, and how these efforts connect to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the greater Southern Belize Reef Complex.

We are always grateful for opportunities to engage with students and future leaders on the importance of protecting Belize’s marine ecosystems and strengthening community involvement in conservation.

“SEA Beyond the Reef" is a platform designed to connect communities with conservation through dialogue, learning, and shared experiences.

To learn more about SEA’s conservation work, contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]

We spotted Silk Cayes in the background! 👀🌊

A beautiful glimpse of one of Belize’s treasured island gems within the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. With crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and breathtaking views, it reminds us why protecting our marine spaces is so important. 💙

DND: ON 📵💙
Why?
☐ Busy working
☐ Running errands
☑ Island hopping through Belize's blue waters
Currently unavailable while collecting sunshine, sea breezes, and unforgettable memories, one island at a time. 🏝✨
Please try again after I've had one more swim... and maybe one more island. 😎

Happy World Sea Turtle Day! 🐢🌊

Today, we celebrate these incredible ocean travelers and the important role they play in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Sea turtles help keep seagrass beds healthy, support coral reef balance, and remind us of the deep connection between wildlife, people, and the sea.

At SEA, we remain committed to protecting critical marine habitats and supporting conservation efforts that help sea turtles thrive for generations to come.

Let’s all do our part: reduce plastic pollution, keep beaches clean, respect nesting areas, and protect our beautiful Belizean waters. 💙

🚨 Deadline Reminder! 🚨

SEA is looking for a Finance and Administrative Support Officer!

Interested applicants are reminded to submit their application by June 17, 2026. Kindly send your cover letter, CV, copies of relevant qualifications, recent police record, and two professional references to:

📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Apply now and be part of SEA’s work in strengthening marine conservation across our co-managed protected areas. 🌊

Now hiring: Finance and Administrative Support Officer 🚨

Join SEA and play a key role in strengthening the financial and administrative systems that enable effective marine conservation across our co-managed protected areas.

🗓️ Apply by June 17th, 2026.

📧 Submit your cover letter, CV, copies of relevant qualifications, recent police record, and two professional references to [email protected] and [email protected]

🔗 Full TOR: https://1drv.ms/b/c/4ed4fbb776fe296a/IQBz-IsMT6EyQ5ddNACg0W1RAcK_tlFLh2WLQkTf_oFdqy4?e=QQGeqP

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Apply now! 🚨

| Placencia Wildside Adventures🌊⚓

This week, we are proud to highlight Placencia Wildside Adventures, a locally owned tour company founded in 2016 by Placencia native Captain Conrad Llewellyn Villanueva Jr.

Built from a lifelong passion for the sea, Placencia Wildside Adventures was established with a vision of providing visitors with personalized and authentic Belizean marine experiences. At a time when most tours operated in larger groups, Captain Conrad recognized the growing demand for private, customized adventures that allowed guests to explore Belize’s incredible marine environment at their own pace.

With more than 25 years of experience as a tour guide, over 20 years as a licensed captain, and decades as a professional dive guide, Captain Conrad has dedicated his life to Belize’s tourism industry. Having worked with some of the country’s leading tour operators throughout Belize, he returned home to Placencia with a vision of creating a tour company built on flexibility, professionalism, safety, and genuine Belizean hospitality.

What began as a small operation has grown into a network of skilled local captains, guides, and vessel owners. Today, Placencia Wildside Adventures helps create opportunities for more than 30 local captains, guides, and boat owners who work together to deliver exceptional experiences on the water, making the company an important contributor to the local economy and tourism sector.

Beyond tourism, Captain Conrad is recognized as a mentor to younger guides, a supporter of marine conservation initiatives, and an active community volunteer. His commitment to protecting Belize’s natural treasures while creating sustainable opportunities for local families continues to guide the company’s mission.

We are proud to highlight Placencia Wildside Adventures for their dedication to sustainable tourism, community development, and sharing the beauty of Belize’s marine environment with visitors from around the world.

Contact Placencia Wildside Adventures:
📍 Placencia Village, Belize
📱+501 671-2545
📧 [email protected]

📢 Have your say on the future of Placencia Lagoon! 🌊

Placencia Lagoon supports our fisheries, wildlife, livelihoods, and communities. We invite residents, fishers, tour guides, business owners, and all community members to join us for these upcoming community engagements and share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas.

📍 Seine Bight – Tubabouda (Seine Bight Learning Center)
🗓️ Tomorrow, June 9th, 2026 | 🕕 6:00 p.m.

📍 Independence Village – Independence Water Board Conference Room
🗓️ Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 | 🕖 7:00 p.m.

📍 Placencia Village – Placencia Basketball Court
🗓️ Thursday, June 11th, 2026 | 🕖 7:00 p.m.

Your voice matters. Join the conversation and help shape the future management and protection of Placencia Lagoon for generations to come.

Happy World Oceans Day! 🌊💙

Today, we celebrate the beauty, life, and importance of our oceans and the incredible marine ecosystems found within Belize’s protected areas. At SEA, we remain committed to protecting Laughing Bird Caye National Park and Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve for our communities, fisheries, tourism, and future generations.

Our oceans sustain us, and it is our shared responsibility to sustain them.

Happy World Oceans Day from the Southern Environmental Association! 🌍🐢🐠

Aerial photos: Belizemytravels / Photography by Kevin W. Quischan

Happy World Environment Day! Today and every day, we celebrate the beauty of our marine life, coastal ecosystems, and the natural spaces that sustain our communities. Let’s continue protecting Belize’s environment for today and future generations.🌎🌿

Now hiring: Finance and Administrative Support Officer 🚨

Join SEA and play a key role in strengthening the financial and administrative systems that enable effective marine conservation across our co-managed protected areas.

🗓️ Apply by June 17th, 2026.

📧 Submit your cover letter, CV, copies of relevant qualifications, recent police record, and two professional references to [email protected] and [email protected]

🔗 Full TOR: https://1drv.ms/b/c/4ed4fbb776fe296a/IQBz-IsMT6EyQ5ddNACg0W1RAcK_tlFLh2WLQkTf_oFdqy4?e=QQGeqP

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Apply now! 🚨