If these field notes, slides, photographs, and artifacts are destroyed, there will be no way to replace them. The collection also consists of plant specimens and ethnobotanical fieldwork, documenting and exploring the medicinal value of rain forest flora. The destruction of this collection would be a great loss to all who value our planet s biodiversity and seek new medical solutions to today s health problems. The Institute s collection contains priceless research and documentation about the Maya, Creole, and Garifuna populations of Belize and the neighboring regions. Once this material is lost, this cultural and educational resource will be gone forever.
Time is of the essence.
We are appealing to foundations, corporations, research societies, institutes, individuals, and television and radio announcements to raise these funds. We urge you to help us cope with this emergency situation by contributing whatever you can. Your contribution will be acknowledged on our homepage. Also, please, help us spread this message to friends and colleagues who may be interested in supporting this Rescue Operation. In these times of modernization, Westernization, and technology, traditional life is being displaced and destroyed irrevocably.