Hol Chan Marine Reserve held its annual Reef Week from May 10 – 17, 2014 under the theme “Our Reef Needs Our Protection for Future Generations”. Reef Week kicked off on Saturday, May 10, 2014, with the Lagoon Reef Eco Challenge where Team Coco Beach took first place. Other activities included the release of “Ellen” and “Lucky” the loggerhead turtles, trivia completion and marine fair.
Trivia Competition –
The 9th Annual Reef Week Trivia Competition took place at the Lion’s Den on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, where students’ knowledge about the reef and environment was put to the test. After a few hotly contested questions and deliberation from the judges the winners were announced: Zeldeth Molina of Caye Caulker RC School took 1st Place, followed by Chelsea Rodriguez of Caye Caulker RC School and Kemra Rippon of Island Academy who took second and third place respectively.
Zeldeth Molina (1st Place) won an iPad Mini and round trip to Belize City courtesy of Tropic Air, Chelsea Rodriguez won an Android tablet and $50 gift certificate, Kemra Rippon won a $100 saving from Atlantic Bank and 1 school bag filled with school supplies.
Hol Chan Marine Fair –
The Marine Reserve Office hosted a Marine Fair for students to learn more about Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Bacalar Chico Reserve, Belize Wildlife Conservation Network, and other protected areas in Belize. Students from several elementary schools of San Pedro participated in the Marine Fair at the Central Park on Thursday, May 15, 2014.
Various displays were prepared emphasizing the environmental, social and economic importance of our marine reserve network. Highlighted were the northern marine Reserves of Bacalar Chico, Hol Chan and Caye Caulker. Almost 200 school children walked through the informative displays and participated in the educational games. On display was art from trash and posters information booths made by students about mangrove and reef conservation.
Turtle Nesting Showcase
Marine Fair Touch Tank
Marine Fair Educational Booths
Arts from Trash
It was a week full of educational activities to celebrate our natural heritage and create awareness. Ambergris Today salutes all the schools and participants in the week-long celebration and congratulates Hol Chan Marine Reserve for all its hard work and dedication in protecting our beautiful ecosystem for future generations to enjoy.
