.jpg)
PMM October News – Giving to Our Communities Schools
The Placencia mooring project is now three years old and the Placencia Mooring Masters (PMM) steering committee decided that it was time for us to give back something to the communities which have supported this community project since its inception. PMM has produced information brochures & flash cards which explained to adults why the project is important to protecting our heritage Belize’s reef and how to use an anchor mooring buoy. We have also wanted to do something which was geared towards enlightening our living heritage, the children of the Placencia peninsula. Then last year a few key members of the steering committee attended a presentation by CORAL REEF ALLIANCE where they were introduced to Scubazoo’s photographic extravaganza called simply “REEF”. “REEF” is comprised of 100’s of still photographs and DVD with video footage showing a kaleidoscope of colors and myriad creatures that make up reef communities all over the world. Published by Dorling Kindersley it is educational, as well as highly simulating visually. One look at this book and the committee knew this was what we wanted to give to the children.
Purchasing these hard copy books was easy enough but getting them to Belize was a bit trickier as each book weighs close 5lb, so they have been brought in one at a time as friends were able to fit in their luggage allowances. Finally in October 2009 all 4 books were here and the distribution began. First to receive their book was the new St John’s Memorial Anglican preschool in Placencia, presented to teacher Ramclam. Part of the preschool curriculum includes study of creatures both marine and terrestrial so this donation turned out to be very well timed. The younger class of 3 year olds got to watch the DVD first which generated a lot of excitement with the children and several surprises for the teachers when some children not only identified many of the creatures they saw but also knew the names pronouncing them perfectly. One of the joys of small children is their imagination and how they apply their known environment to one they don’t know. A funny moment during the DVD playing was when one little girl seeing a frog fish with its camouflage body looking like a pieces of waving corals, shouted out while pointing at the screen, “Look teacher, the fish it’s got dreads!” (as in deadlocks).
Next up was Seine Bight Village St Alphonsus primary school. Principle Mr. Steven Lopez was presented with the book for the school. Later the same day Kristine Small from PMM steering committee presented Mr. Griffith, the principle of St John’s Memorial Anglican Primary school, with the Placencia primary school’s copy of “REEF “book. The last “REEF” book is to be presented to Independence High School in early November. If you’re interested in knowing more about the book here is a brief description from the publisher.
“Coral reefs are often called "the rainforests of the sea" because of the quantity and diversity of life they support, and because they are highly sensitive and threatened ecosystems. Building on the success of DK's Rainforest, this unique pictorial celebration of the worlds reefs progresses through an ecological chain that goes from algae, sponges, and mollusks to the thousands of fishes that make their homes there. This vivid collection of photographs, from underwater photography collective Scubazoo, reveals reefs as they've never been seen before.
Scubazoo is a dedicated team of divers, photographers, marine biologists, and conservationists, who have devoted their lives to the filming and preservation of reefs worldwide. Their work includes filming for productions broadcast on National Geographic, Discovery, Animal Planet, BBC, and NBC News. The group is based in Sabah, on the island of Borneo. Scubazoo works with the World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace International, the Reef Environmental Education Fund, and the Shark Trust.
Features reefs worldwide, from Southeast Asia to the Red Sea and Hawaii
Captions identify plant and animal life and quotes give additional background information
Photographic narratives demonstrate how reefs live/die, and how creatures depend on them
Published in cooperation with the American Museum of Natural History
Sales of this book support the Coral Reef Alliance.”
The “REEF” book has a list price of $40.00USD but with some cunning online shopping can be found for half that price or less, this book is visually stimulating whether your 3 years old or 90, it’s like scuba diving from your armchair or in the case of the children from Placencia Peninsula from their classroom chairs.
