ROOTS
AND SHOOTS
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Dr. Jane Goodall's program, Roots and Shoots, is a program that inspires people of all ages to take actions that improve the quality of life. Through this program, young people map their community to identify specific challenges they face.
As Roots and Shoots members from the Mesoamerican Reef System (MAR) region, aware of the fragility of coastal marine ecosystems, we identify common issues and work together to develop possible solutions.
Why do we do it?
Considering the problem that the inadequate management of plastic represents for coastal marine ecosystems, we prioritized a campaign that seeks to generate behavioral change in students regarding the use of plastic to conserve the Mesoamerican reef from a regional perspective and linked to the global program Roots & Shoots, where students get involved, make decisions, develop skills and aptitudes, and share.
What are we doing?
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Over the years BICA has been implementing environmental awareness campaigns aimed at formal and non-formal target groups. Since 2017, the Roots & Shoots campaign “Si del SAM quieres gozar menos plástico debes usar” was implemented in different educational centers in the municipality of Roatan, which aims to encourage behavioral change in relation to the use and disposal of plastic, among children and young people in the communities surrounding the MAR would be to launch a campaign to promote concrete actions to reduce the use of this material.
Results
The implementation of solid waste management plans was achieved in two educational centers (Harvey Nelson basic education center and Sandy Bay Model) and the strategic plan for five educational centers (Sabio Cacho in Colonia Smith and Crawfish Rock, Garvey Nelson in Hottest Sparrow, Policarpo Bonilla in Corozal and Toribio Bustillo in Mud Hole).
910 students have been sensitized about the proper management of solid and liquid waste through talks and activities outside the classroom such as the two puppet plays for the primary schools of CEB Model Sandy Bay, Inst. Guardiola and three plays "The Other Roatán " for secondary schools of CEB Model Sandy Bay, Inst. Guardiola and Inst. Honduras.
Promotion of the reduction of single-use plastics, with the purchase of 7,080 reusable bags for the food bank; In addition, 374 basic baskets were delivered, directly benefiting the recyclers and the communities that are part of the Roots & Shoots campaign.
How you can help?
Here's how you can contribute:
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Be part of the program for the separation and collection of recyclable material implemented by BICA.
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Remove the solid waste generated in the home until the collection day to avoid accumulation in clandestine dumps or in poor condition.
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Participate in beach cleaning activities, ravines.
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Say no to single-use plastic such as: plastic straws, drinks in plastic containers/bottles, end-carry plastic bag, styrofoam/foam.
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Complies with municipal regulations prohibiting the use of single-use plastics
Ways to Give
Join us in protecting the stunning marine and coastal biodiversity of the Bay Islands in Honduras by supporting our conservation efforts and safeguarding the future of our oceans for generations to come.
