Students plant trees for International Biodiversity Day
“One School, One Tree, One step at a time” is the theme and call to action that resonated worldwide today marking the observance of International Day for Biodiversity. Compliant activities started in the Far East and travelled west around the world as students from each country planted trees at exactly ten o’clock—their local time—creating a figurative “green wave”. Locally, under the tutelage of the Belize Audubon Society, students did their part in the global ‘Green Wave’ by participating in tree planting activities at the district level, countrywide. In Belize City, the Memorial Park was the venue as thirty-eight students from St. Mary’s Primary School got their hands dirty planting mayflower seedlings. Globally, the aim of today’s “green wave” is to educate youths about the importance of biodiversity and the role that trees play in reducing its loss. While this is the first time Belize is participating in the global movement, Publicity Coordinator for Audubon, Dirk Francisco, says plans are underway to make this an annual occasion because of its significance.
Dirk Francisco, Publicity Coordinator, Belize Audubon Society
“The tree is s symbol on biodiversity and it shows children what biodiversity is about. And you know trees are important because they are aesthetics for a community, they provide shade, they provide food, they provide a clean environment for all of us Belizeans. Ten o’clock, again the Green Wave is set up in a way where ten o’clock is just a time when the world is saying hey, at this one time on may twenty-second, we’re all putting one tree to the earth as a gift to Mother Nature and as a symbol for all citizens around the world to recognize the importance of biodiversity.”
Ishana Wright, Teacher, St. Mary’s Primary School
“Well, I think it’s something that the children will learn from, especially to see the importance of the trees, how they contribute to the society and for us in general. “
Delahnie Bain
“What was their response to it? Have they…”
Ishana Wright
”Well, I think they enjoyed it cause they want to plant even more plants there.”
Eric Chan, Councillor Responsible for Beautification/Parks/Playgrounds
”When I first was contacted by Belize Audubon Society, they mentioned to me that this Green Wave event is going on worldwide for planting trees and so for our environment, which is very good. So as a councillor in charge of beautification, that’s why we’re working along with Belize Audubon Society. “
Delahnie Bain
“What was your part of the coordination to bring this together?”
Eric Chan
“Well, I facilitate the park and we’re provided—actually we just fixed this cement recently, it was broken up before and we provided the black dirt and soil and so forth.”
Funding for the Green Wave Initiative was provided by the United Nations Development Programme (U.N.D.P.) through its Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Program.
