Manatee Appreciation Day Observed

Manatee Appreciation Day is celebrated annually on the twenty-ninth of March. In lieu of the Easter Holidays, the folks over at Sea to Shore Alliance launched a face board at the B.T.L. Park. The mission is to create further awareness on the sea cow and the issues surrounding its safety. Belize has the healthiest population of manatees in the region and Galvez says that with assistance from MARFund and the Belize City Council, the community will learn more about manatee conservation while having fun.

Jamal Galvez

Jamal Galvez, Sea to Shore Alliance

“We are unveiling a mural which is part of a project funded by MARFund that we are going to use it for awareness. This is a collaboration between the City Council and Sea to Shore Alliance and MARFund so that we can bring awareness to this efforts. The park is a much visited place and this project has been in the pipeline along with the park manager, Mister Thompson for a while. It’s another opportunity for people to come, visit the park, be interactive, to see the information and just bring manatees more to the light in friendly places.”

Angeline Valentine-Enriquez

Angeline Valentine-Enriquez, Project Officer, MAR Fund
“Earlier in January of this year we did the launch of a boat. That along with this initiative is part of a broader project that we have with Sea to Shore Alliance. We are always happy to collaborate on matters that are truly important such as this one.”

Oscar Arnold

Oscar Arnold, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“Our green areas and open spaces are a huge part of what we want to do as a council. We also are a council who believe in green initiatives and we want to ensure that whatever possible the City Council can take advantage of any of the initiatives that are put through that can save a few more tree or save barrels of fossil fuels.”