“Mahogany Man” honoured by Audubon
There are Guatemalans on the border, a Supreme Court Justice is under fire and there is no shortage of criminal activity… but tonight we choose to focus on the positive. That means the achievements of a ninety-four year old Belizean who today received recognition for a lifetime of service to his country… and his planet.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
The James A. Waight Conservation Award has been presented to Henry Fairweather, the man now famous for planting over a hundred thousand Mahogany trees. David Craig, President of the Belize Audubon says that Fairweather was an obvious choice.
David Craig, President, Belize Audubon Society
“We are looking for somebody that has tirelessly given to their whole life to the protection and preservation of the environment, and also the protection of the social and economical environments that we live here in Belize. Mr. Fairweather was nominated by Mr. Dennis Jones, and he came with a lot of support. We have a team, a nominations committee that actually receives nominations coming from the public and he was a clear winner amongst the nominations this year. He has work tirelessly and just coming out of the ceremonies, we just heard him talk of his work way back in 1933.”
And that work had nothing to do with planting trees. Ironically he and James Waight stood shoulder to shoulder surveying the frontier.
Bert Tucker, BELRIV
“The historic thing, was the opening of the Belize-Guatemala border. And as you see, their work and professionalism has been vindicated by the recent events in which the Pan American Institute of Geography and History basically endorsed the accuracy of their work, which was done in 1932, 1933. I think these two gentlemen have also shared many visions of love and patriotism for this country. I think part of that comes out of their relationship with the country itself, the love of the forest that the surveying profession gives them that chance to, as Henry Fairweather said today, appreciate those things. I think we’ve seen the kind of team work that is very necessary to move us forward.”
And moving forward is exactly what Fairweather intends to do.
Henry Fairweather, Mahogany Man
“It gives me the determination to push on with my development, development of the mahogany. When you get encouragement like this, you can’t hesitate to go out there and do your best…and that is what I am trying to do.”
“For your information, I am planting even up to this hour because I have my men, my workers, planting trees. We plant everyday and I think we have planted over a hundred and twenty thousand by this time.”
Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.
