On her Rio Bravo expedition, Princess Anne experienced Belize's rich cultural and natural heritage. In addition to learning about PfB's work in conservation and sustainable development, Princess Anne walked in the footsteps of the ancient Maya by touring the ancient Maya city of La Milpa-Belize's third largest archaeological site and one of 60 other archaeological sites found on the Rio Bravo. Through the courtesy of the Department of Archaeology, Princess Anne was also able to see a sample of the intricate artifacts collected from archaeological digs of the Maya sites found on the Rio Bravo. Surely, Princess Anne's visit to Programme for Belize's Rio Bravo was one that highlighted Belize's central position in the ancient world of the Maya and its innovative work in conservation.

Princess Anne was welcomed at the La Milpa Field Station with a brief presentation on the innovative work Programme for Belize is conducting in the areas of conservation and sustainable development. PfB's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Arsenio Burgos, and Executive Director, Mrs. A. Joy Grant, discussed the challenges faced in conservation in Belize, and shared strategies being employed by PfB to address current challenges.

Given that the La Milpa Field Station serves as the research base of two long-term archaeological projects that study a sample of the 60 archaeological sites so far found on the Rio Bravo, the Princess Royal toured the camp site of the Programme for Belize Archaeological Project led by Dr. Fred Valdez of the University of Texas at Austin. Here, Rissa Trackman, Assistant Director, shared the history behind a host of Maya artifacts discovered, over the past nine years, from the archaeological surveys conducted on the Rio Bravo. The display was made possible through the courtesy of the Department of Archaeology.

These artifacts are a sample of the intricate and precious Maya artifacts shown to Princess Anne.

Princess Anne closed her tour of the Rio Bravo by walking in the footsteps of the ancient Maya. Ramon Pacheco, Station Manager of the La Milpa Field Station, led Princess Anne on a walk through the ancient Maya city of La Milpa-the third largest archaeological site found in Belize. The Princess Royal's tour of the La Milpa Archaeological Site included the sharing of a detailed inhabitation history of this ancient Maya city, architecture highlights, and theories on the collapse of this important ceremonial center.

We invite you to come walk in the footsteps of the ancient Maya on the Rio Bravo…