Dis Da Fu We: Conservation, Development and Empowerment in San Pedro Town, Belize

In the years following World War II, decolonization led to an increased awareness of, and focus on, international development among former colonial powers (Isbister 2001; Klaren and Bossert 1986; Escobar 1995). At the same time as resources were invested in economic development, an independent movement sparked by environmental concerns worldwide began to unfold, resulting in a growing network of new national parks, preserves, reserves, and other conservation areas (Neumann 1998; Brown 2002).