ReefKeeper Belize

03/08/2026

27/07/2026

🌊 Marine Life Spotlight: Brittle Star ⭐

Brittle stars are fascinating reef creatures that can regenerate lost arms and help keep Belize’s coral reefs healthy by feeding on organic matter.

25/07/2026

On June 10, We joined the Ignacia Cacho Library Summer Camp, where 34 children ages 4–14 learned about marine creatures and Sargassum seaweed through a beach exploration, interactive games, food web activities, and a library scavenger hunt.

A special thank you to Zeilanie Blanco for developing the hands-on activities and keeping the children engaged throughout the day! 🌊💙

07/07/2026

Yes we have an octopus! You can compare the octopus to the darker brittle star. This eight-armed creature was hiding in a discarded conch shell near Carrie Bow Cay. Octopuses are related to squid, have a beak for eating, can ink for defense, display remarkable intelligence, and can change their color and texture to match their surroundings using specialized cells called chromatophores. This is likely the Caribbean reef octopus (too small to tell) that inhabits shallow waters. It eats clams, snails, crab, lobster and other smaller animals without a backbone. The hand in the background is Choc, who interned with researchers from the Gignoux-Wolfsohn Lab at the Smithsonian's Marine Station on Carrie Bow Cay.

06/07/2026

ReefKeeper Belize impacts Belizean children's lives. After participating in our classroom lessons and field trips, kids are statistically more willing to engage in behaviors to protect the reef (for example planting mangroves), show increased knowledge of marine ecosystems , and a positive change in attitudes toward marine conservation. Make a contribution to protect the reef you love and support Belizean childrens' STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Donate what you can and share!

After doing this for 10+ years in Belize, I see former participants now in high school and college that say it was one of the most meaningful experiences of their lives. Parents, too, are learning and quote some of the information their students learned in the classes.

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” — Baba Dioum.

🌟 Join us in helping to save coral reefs one child at a time!🌟At ReefKeeper Belize, we believe kids are the future of change! We teach them about the…

06/07/2026

⚓ Belize City, it's your turn! 🌊

The Belize Port Authority Maritime Summer Camp – Belize City Edition is coming to Swift Hall from July 13–17, offering young participants an exciting opportunity to learn about the maritime industry through fun, interactive activities.

📢 The first 30 boys and girls to register will secure a spot!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPQN2dDiyiYM5oxC2UnGPPEc_k6qGhmXVmNWyorbrHCScUUA/viewform?usp=header

Don't miss this opportunity to explore the world of maritime, build new skills, and enjoy a week of learning and adventure.

06/07/2026

Many Lobsterfests ago ReefKeeper shared information about the importance and status of the magnificent Goliath grouper. Juvenile Goliath groupers start their young life out in red mangrove areas, mostly in southern Belize. They are listed as critically endangered as the adult stock is depleted and heavily overfished. These keystone species are an important part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

29/06/2026

No it's not an octopus! Did you know there are sea stars called brittle stars that look spiky? These are some of the cool creatures students from Hope Creek Village Methodist Primary School saw on the field trip to the Smithsonian Field Station on Carrie Bow Cay. This brittle star was in an discarded conch shell in the sea. This brittle star feeds on detritus (decaying organic matter), plankton (including phytoplankton and zooplankton), fleshy algae, and small bottom-dwelling invertebrates.

Old conch shells provide habitat for many invertebrates and crustaceans such as octopus, crab, worms, and even fish!

27/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at Fisher Fair 2026! 🐟🌊

We had a great time sharing fun marine activities with you, from looking at fish scales under the microscope to learning about parrotfish, sea turtles, and mangroves. Thank you for helping us celebrate the important role our fisherfolk play in Belize’s food security.

See you at the next event! 💙🌿



Wabafu FishersWCS BelizeBelize Fund for a Sustainable Future - Belize FundWWF MesoamericaSouthern Environmental Association

25/06/2026

ReefKeeper welcomes Zeilanie Blanco to the team. As an education and outreach intern, she's a natural!

Thanks to Belize Electricity Limited(BEL) for sponsoring the ReefKeeper Coastal Ambassadors!

Bxb Lanie