Bio-diversity

Last year Programme for Belize joined the Green Wave Initiative by implementing and UNDP-GEF/SGP funded project to celebrate World Biodiversity Day by creating awareness on biodiversity conservation, the convention of biological diversity and the importance of protecting the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area and climate change in seven schools in the Belize River Valley area (Burrel Boom, Bermudian Landing, St. Paul s Bank, Isabella Bank, Lemonal, and Rancho Dolores) and eight schools in the Mestizo communities (Yo Creek, San Lazaro, Trinidad, August Pine Ridge, San Felipe, Indian Church, and San Carlos). Building on the accomplishments of last year, Programme for Belize will concentrate on the activities that were more effective in creating awareness on biodiversity, climate change and the protection of Rio Bravo by providing first hand experience to 6 primary schools, 240 students, from 6 neighboring communities through overnight field visits at the Hill Bank Field Station and the La Milpa Field Station and culminating with a tree planting ceremony. The impact will be further enhance by providing a set of bird books to each library (Trees of Rio Bravo was provided last year) and each participant will receive a Green Wave t-shit with the PfB and UNDP-GEF/SGP logo that will further spread the conservation message. The specific objective of this project is to create awareness on biodiversity conservation, the convention of biological diversity and the importance of protecting the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area and climate change through the Green Wave Initiative in 3 schools in the Belize River Valley area (St. Paul s Bank, Isabella Bank, and Rancho Dolores) and 3 schools in the Mestizo communities (Trinidad, August Pine Ridge, and) north of the RBCMA. The Intended Results After the completion of the project, the following results would be achieved: Six schools or approximately 240 students and eighteen teachers would have participated in this awareness campaign and will be more aware and knowledgeable about the importance of biodiversity conservation, the protection of Rio Bravo, the importance of the Convention for the Protection of Biodiversity, and Climate Change. At least six primary schools, 240 students and 18 teachers would have visited Rio Bravo for two days and one overnight to learn and get a first hand experience about biodiversity, Rio Bravo, climate change. Each of the 6 schools would have planted two mahogany trees for the Green Wave Initiative in their respective schools on May 22, 2010. Each of the six schools would have received a set of bird books and The specific activities include: i. Visit all the participating schools to develop the specific schedule of field visits to the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area. ii. Each school will select one or two classrooms totaling 40 students and 3 teachers to participate on the two days-one overnight visit to the La Milpa Field Station or the Hill Bank Field Station in the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area. iii. Each school will be given the financial resources to send one contingent (one 55-seater bus) consisting of at least 40 students and three teachers to visit the Rio Bravo Conservation and management Area. iv. The objective of this trip is for the participants to see and understand what our natural ecosystems are, to understand the importance of the protection of biodiversity and Rio Bravo, the Convention for the Protection of Biodiversity and the Green Wave Initiative. They will also participate in early morning birding activities in order for them to learn, appreciate and get interested in knowing and protecting the birds in their neighborhood. v. Each of the six schools will be given a set of bird books and each participating students will be given a commemorative and educational PfB-Green Wave Initiative t-shirt. Students will be encouraged to know and learn about the birds of their area. vi. Source two mahogany trees per school (12 trees) for the tree planting activity at each school on May 22, 2010. vii. Each school will plant two trees at their school yard on May 22, 2010. viii. Upload the picture of the trees planted on May 22, 2009 on the Green Wave Initiative Website ix. Inform and invite the media to witness and report on the Green Wave Initiative environmental awareness and tree planting activity. x. Host one of the primary schools for an environmental awareness and tree planting activity on the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area on May 22, 2009; the pictures are uploaded on the Green Wave Website. 7. RISKS TO SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION The largest risk to this project is that schools may not be interested in participating in this initiative due to their study program. This will be addressed by targeting the standard five groups or lower level students who are not currently burdened by their preparations for the primary school examinations. The project will also provide a commemorative and education PfB-Green Wave Initiative t-shirt for each participating student and teacher.

Belize