A Partnership with a Purpose
Today’s episode of Open Your Eyes highlighted a new conservation partnership between Marie Sharp’s and the Clearwater Marine Institute, bringing together Belizean entrepreneurship, public awareness, and marine conservation to support the protection of manatees in Belize.
Joining the conversation were Marie Sharp, founder of Marie Sharp’s; Valerie Woods, management consultant and volunteer with the Clearwater Marine Institute; and Jamal Galvez, Belize Program Coordinator and Research Scientist with the institute.
The collaboration has resulted in a limited-edition Marie Sharp’s hot sauce carrying a message about manatee conservation, allowing a familiar Belizean product to become another platform for environmental awareness.
Turning a Familiar Product into a Conservation Message
For Marie Sharp, the partnership reflects her longstanding interest in finding ways to support environmental conservation. She shared that having a home near a large body of water where manatees are present has made her particularly aware of the dangers these animals face, including boats traveling at unsafe speeds.
The idea was to use the widespread reach of Marie Sharp’s products to educate consumers about manatees and encourage them to take simple steps to help protect them.
A portion of the price of each bottle of the special hot sauce will go toward manatee conservation efforts, giving consumers an opportunity to support the initiative simply by purchasing the product.
Building Awareness Beyond Financial Support
Jamal Galvez emphasized that conservation support does not always have to involve financial contributions. Sharing information, spreading conservation messages, avoiding pollution, and slowing down boats in areas where manatees are present are all practical ways people can contribute.
He stressed the importance of storytelling and public awareness in encouraging people to change their behavior and develop a greater appreciation for Belize’s environment.
The limited-edition bottles also feature a QR code that directs consumers to information about the initiative and how their purchase helps save, rehabilitate, and protect manatees in Belize.
The Clearwater Marine Research and Education Center
The conversation also highlighted the work being developed at the Marine Research and Education Center in Gales Point, which Jamal described as an important part of his long-term vision for marine conservation in Belize.
The center is intended to provide opportunities for Belizean students and international visitors to learn about manatees and Belize’s wider marine ecosystem. It will also support efforts to care for injured or orphaned animals while creating educational opportunities for people to better understand the challenges facing wildlife.
Jamal explained that allowing people to see injured animals and understand their recovery can help create the inspiration needed to encourage changes in behavior.
Conservation Through Everyday Choices
The partnership demonstrates how businesses, conservation organizations, and everyday consumers can contribute to environmental protection in different ways.
From supporting conservation through a purchase to sharing information and practicing responsible behavior around waterways, the guests emphasized that protecting Belize’s wildlife is a shared responsibility.
The collaboration also forms part of Marie Sharp’s 45th anniversary year and continues the company’s broader efforts to give back through community and environmental initiatives.
