Friends of Nature (FoN), is a conservation Non-Governmental Organization with its administrative offices located in the community of Placencia. Members of the board of the Friends of Laughing Bird Caye and Friends of Placencia Lagoon officially registered the organization in March 2002. FoN was formed through the amalgamation of those two existing community groups. The mission of the organization is: "Preserving and promoting the sustainability of marine resources, islands, and cayes for our children and the country of Belize". Friends co-manages Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve with the Fisheries Department and Laughing Bird Caye National Park with the Forestry Department.

Photo by: Rachel Graham

FoN maintains deep roots in the community. Our constituency includes the six coastal villages in the central southern region of Belize, (see map). The Chairperson of each Village Council sits on FoN's Board of Directors, which also includes representatives from other key stakeholder groups. "Protecting our natural resources by developing our human resources" serves as our motto. Friends of Nature's Executive Director, Lindsay Garbutt, grew up right in tiny Monkey River Village, one of the six villages supporting FoN. He fished these same waters with his father, a legendary fisherman, and his brothers. After schooling in Jamaica, he returned home to Belize to put his extensive administrative talents to work for the community. We like to say, "Local boy makes good."

Lindsay and the entire staff welcome you to Friends of Nature's web site. Please explore it thoroughly. We encourage you to contact us whether you're interested in biodiversity conservation or planning a visit to the Placencia area or just want to say hello.