International Day of Forests "HEALTHY FORESTS FOR HEALTHY PEOPLE”

Belize led by the Forest Department joined the world in commemorating International Day of Forests 2023. In 2012, the United Nations Assembly declared March 21st as the International Day of Forests with the objective to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

This year’s theme, “Healthy Forests for Healthy People,” brings awareness to forests and how much our forests contribute to our health. Forests also provide countless important health benefits, such as fresh air, clean water and aesthetically pleasing sceneries and landscapes. Healthy forests and a healthy environment are directly linked to healthier lives.

Over the past 100 years, Belize has invested significantly in protecting and managing its natural capital for the benefit of Belizeans. It boasts 60.9% of forest cover with a 0.75% deforestation rate. Our forests, which include our protected natural areas, wetlands and mangroves, contribute over 20% to Belize’s GDP. Our people have an inextricable link to forests for traditional medicine, cultural and spiritual practices and serve as stewards of our forest resources. We can all

World Water Day 2023

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining, and its partner agencies joined the world in celebrating World Water Day. World Water Day is a United Nations Observance every year on March 22. It started in 1993 and celebrates water while raising awareness of the billions of people currently living without access to safe water. A core focus of World Water Day is to inspire action toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Accelerating Change.” It focuses on taking action on an individual, community, national and international basis to protect water resources. Accelerating change will require that everyone takes specific and deliberate steps. This World Water Day is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. Water affects everyone; it is important to take action also, as families, schools, and communities can make a difference by changing how water is used, consumed, and managed.

Some of the actions that can be taken include saving and using water conservatively; stopping pollution of the country’s waters; taking part in continue doing our part in practicing the sustainable use of our forest resources to ensure our livelihoods and the health of the forests and ourselves.

This year, the Forest Department carried out competitions, symposia, public awareness, fairs, and tree-planting activities to raise awareness of the importance of forests and their value to our health.

The Hon. Orlando Habet, Minister responsible for Forests, and Hon. Abelardo Jose Mai, Minister responsible for Agriculture, participated in tree-planting activities with students at Our Lady of Guadalupe High School, Methodist High School and Comprehensive High School in Belmopan.

25 SEP 2020

This International Day of Forests, and every day, everyone is encouraged to undertake tree planting and reforestation activities to

The Belize Times

increase the resilience, productivity, and health of the forest ecosystem"Healthy Forests for Healthy People.” Every Tree Counts!

For Immediate Release

22 March 2023

STAY TUNED FOR BOWEN & BOWEN NATIONAL SPELLING BEE FINALS Anticipation is building

Excitement is definitely in the air for the eighty students moving on to the Spelling Bee District Finals after advancing from zone eliminations. The District Finals are scheduled for April 18 – 28, 2023, and will determine the twelve students who will compete in the finals at Countryside Park, Spanish Lookout on June 2, 2023.

All competitors have received the general list of words to prepare. Everyone can access the list on 501 Academy at National Spelling Bee – 501academy

Students and their schools can win additional prizes in the banner and essay competitions under the theme “Magic Happens When We Spell Together.” The winners of these will be announced at the Finals.

Winners of the Bowen & Bowen National Spelling Bee will be awarded scholarships to further their education, along with many other sensational prizes.

Supporters and the public can join in the fun via the live broadcasts:

 District Finals on LOVE FM Radio on April 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28.

 Finals on LOVE FM radio and live streaming on LOVE FM Facebook page on June 2.

The 2023 National Spelling Bee is made possible through the partnership of Bowen & Bowen with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science & Technology and the support of co-sponsors, including Benny’s Enterprises Ltd, Heritage Bank Ltd, Digi Belize, RSV Limited, and Hodder Education.

Bowen & Bowen, Ltd was established in 1932 by Belizeans and for Belizeans. Its mission, Pursuing Excellence for a Stronger Belize, has driven the creation of an innovative, customer-centric organization whose family of employees is its greatest strength. Bowen & Bowen encompasses an array of subsidiaries in food, beverage, transportation, hospitality, and other sectors, develops Belize ethically and responsibly, and provides opportunities for all Belizeans.

Media Contact: Vanessa Bowman, Brand Coordinator P: +501 227-7031; E: vbowman@bowen.bz