It all began here in Gales Point Manatee, where a dream was planted in the heart of young Jamal Galvez - a dream that Belize would someday join the rest of the world in leading the protection and conservation of marine species and wildlife, particularly The Antillean Manatee. Galvez set out on a journey to make this possible, and after many formed partnerships, discussions and a solid commitment from GOB and other entities, today he broke ground in his hometown, for the construction of a first of its kind Marine rescue and Educational Center.

Jamal Galvez, Researcher, Clearwater Aquarium Research
"I am overwhelmed with joy. This has been a journey of many people. I may be the person standing and speaking here, but there is so much more happening behind the scenes you saw the turnout from the government sector the private sectors, the NGO's and the schools and partners across the country, both internationally and locally this literally has been a dream of mine since a kid I have never imagined in my wildest dreams of this day would actually come, but the commitment I had put through in the people that pushed me from the government of Belize specifically the minister of tourism and I asked for a relations Mr Mahler and his team they have been instrumental in making this come to life. This was just a dream, and I presented the dream to these individuals that made this possible and this is not just a building. It is a place of Hope a place of the future generation of marine conservation for this entire country we are going to mold the next generation of conservation in Belize. We are going to be leaders in this industry. Though you may see water bottles and mud here today tomorrow there will be an institute where research groundbreaking research will be occurring. Education will be facilitated, and the next generation will be blooming."

The Minister of tourism says that when Galvez first approached him and presented his ideas it just so happens that his plans also fell into place with GOB's commitments to bulking up their conservation efforts.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"Well this discussion started a long time ago with Jamal Galvez and other people in the community and it's a part of our manifesto promise as a part of plan Belize and so we had to go through the process of getting all the plans drafted and the designs to where we will facilitate and have an environment where we can bring marine and other species here."

"There are similar facilities across the Caribbean especially in Cayman and other parts whereby they have a rehabilitation center for turtles. We are doing Manatees and other marine creatures."

Aside from being Galvez's hometown, what made Gales Point stand out as the perfect location for this center? Galvez says that the village's name speaks for itself.

Jamal Galvez, Researcher, Clearwater Aquarium Research
"Gales Point Manatee famously known for the manatees presence here this place is a haven for manatees if I was a manatee I would live here too I mean there is literally the threats to manatees here are little to none and they have access to sea grass it's kind of like a buffet there is a variety of Seagrass here for them there is access to fresh water people love manatees here so if you ask me or look at this area this is one of the most important area for manatees not just in Belize but in the region there could not have been a more ideal place and also because it stands in the middle of the country it's half way from the north and halfway from the south it is accessible due to the pavement of the road and we have this pristine habitat where we will be able to literally release these animals after their rehabilitation right into the water of Gales point wildlife sanctuary this is a wildlife sanctuary as well."

"But by tourists and villagers coming in here and seeing animals with boat scars and seeing the struggles that these animals face may tug on their hearts for them to understand the impacts that they may be causing to these animals themselves."

Though construction isn't set to begin until January 2025, and the completion of the center until December of that year, Galvez notes that he plans to continue his work at Wildtracks in the North. But when the center is up and running both are set to function as additions of each other catering to the needs of animals in the North and South of the country

Jamal Galvez, Researcher, Clearwater Aquarium Research
"There is a facility in the north which does tremendous work and I've been holding the fort there for many many years and unfortunately we have seen an increase in the number of animals that needs to be rescued hence the need for an additional facility so it doesn't outdate that facility it is in collaboration to that facility so our goal is to see how we can together or bring this effort this mission together in terms of trying to help the population rebound so the goal is to coexist the facility in the north will be able to facilitate a lot of animals in the north and we will be able to secure and take care of animals in the south so it makes us more stronger it makes the country more prepared as the country with the largest population of this species of manatees in the world and leading globally this facility really cements our legacy within this region as it relates to manatee conversation."

The building is designed by the local firm, VIVIDARCH.