Placencia Lagoon Conservation Boosted by Race and Community Mural

The second annual Battle of the Paddles race took place in Placencia, Belize, bringing paddlers, conservationists and locals together to highlight the need to protect the Placencia Lagoon. Organized by Megs Yearwood and founded by tour guide Ian Yearwood, the event is part of the Reef Guard Project, an initiative of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) aimed at better managing Belize’s marine protected areas.

In a separate community effort, residents of Independence Village painted a large mural celebrating the lagoon’s mangrove habitat, manatees and cultural significance. The mural launches WWF’s Placencia Lagoon communications campaign, also under the Reef Guard Project, and is intended to strengthen local support for lagoon protection.

Both the race and the mural feature WWF marine conservation officer Abigail Parham Garbutt, who emphasizes the lagoon’s importance for livelihoods and future generations.