Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The Department of the Environment has released the statistics from this year's Walk for a Green Belize campaign  The highway cleanup netted some 2,363 bags amounting to over 8 tons.  Wow, time to stop littering!  Great job, everyone!  The DoE got some pictures from the event.

"Volunteers collected 2,363 bages of garbage or 16,541 pounds of garbage off the George Price, Phillip Goldson and Hummingbird Highways...  Belize, next year let's make it be less!"

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Feelgood news of the day.  Saturday was the Walk for a Green Belize initiative, where groups all around Belize had cleanup campaigns.  In Cayo, the Rotaract Club of San Ignacio, and the Benque House of Culture got students involved, and they cleaned up the George Price Highway.  The Belize Audubon Society did a cleanup too.

"The Rotatact Club of San Ignacio participating in walk for a green Belize.  Working with the Department of Environment for a cleaner Belize."

Tomorrow is the 15th annual Junior Cross County Cycling Classic.  They start at Succotz, and head to Belize City.  The race starts at 9:00am.

"The Junior and Youth Male Category of the Federation challenge themselves to prove, who is the best rider to completed this annual prestigious event.  They ride from the Ferry at San Jose Succotz, just outside Benque Viejo Del Carmen and travels the George Price Highway to finish in front of Leslie's Import near Miles 2."

The IDB is giving Belize a grant of over a million dollars to help with feasibility studies for improving the George Price Highway.  It might take a long time to finish, but it's a start.  Thanks, IDB!  This is part of the short term strategy Belize has, targeting four main areas: education, tourism, transport, and trade and tax policy.

"IDB provides US$540,000 Grant to Belize for George Price Highway Project Preparation Studies.  The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Belize today signed a grant agreement for US$540,000 to support the preparation of feasibility studies and social and environmental assessments for the rehabilitation of 32 miles of the George Price Highway between Belmopan and Benque Viejo del Carmen."

One of the most amazing views of Cayo can be seen from the Crested Caracara Reserve, which is in Central Farm.  Definitely a great spot for a small party or meeting.  You can see for miles and miles, and even beyond Spanish Lookout from the deck of the palapa.  The San Ignacio Resort Hotel does bird watching tours there too.  http://www.sanignaciobelize.com/belize-birding-tours

"The Crested Caracara Reserve, behind Running W on the George Price highway, has some spectacular views.  They have trails up the mountain if you want to get some exercise while seeing a variety of wildlife."

Dream Valley is a newer jungle lodge in Cayo with luxurious cabins, from which you can see the Belize river.  They've been open a little more than a year, and you might have seen their sign around Teakettle Village.  They have a spa on site, and are preparing to build a yoga wellness center.  If you want to get away for a weekend, and pamper yourself, Dream Valley is the place to go.

"Dream Valley Inn is located a few miles off the George Price Highway, near Teakettle Village. They have some beautiful grounds. There are 8 plush cabins, a wellness center, a great restaurant, and a pool."

http://dreamvalleybelize.com/

The Rotaractors from Cayo participated in this year's Walk for a Green Belize this morning.  It was a country-wide effort, and the statistics on how much trash was cleaned up should be out soon.  Thanks, Rotaractors!

"Rotaractors participated this morning Saturday, April 25th, 2015 in a clean-up campaign In commemoration of Earth Day 2015 together with Oceana Members and The Department of Environment.  The clean-up campaign consisted of the entire George Price Highway and Macal River in San Ignacio.  Thanks to all the amazing people who came out to inspire others and make a difference."

Belize's new Solid Waste Management Project has made Cayo cleaner.  The SWMP is the reason Cayo has a great transfer station now on the way to Benque.

"To this date, the project has resulted in the construction of a modern sanitary landfill at Mile 24 of the George Price Highway, Belize’s main highway connecting Belize City with the capital, Belmopan, and San Ignacio near the border with Guatemala.  This new landfill, which began operations in August of 2013, is already benefitting the towns of Belize City, San Ignacio, Santa Elena and Benque Viejo.  Dumpsites have been closed and replaced with transfer stations, from where solid waste is being transferred to the Mile 24 Sanitary Landfill."

Congratulations to all the winners of the Valentine's Cycling Classic.  Thanks, Digicell, for sponsoring the event.  

"Hey DigiCell fans and cycling enthusiasts... here's a list of all the winners from the 19th Annual DigiCell Valentine Classic.  Congratulations to all winners and a big thank you to all who came out to show support to the riders along the George Price Highway and at the finish line!  Now it's time to start getting ready for the Cross Country Cycling Classic!"

The new George Price Highway is looking better and better.

"The new road to the soon to be started bridge is looking better each week.  Taken on November 19th, 2013."

The roundabout for the new part of the George Price Highway, at La Loma Luz boulevard, is progressing nicely.  What will the put in the center of it?

Amber Sunset Jungle Lodge, located in Cayo off of the George Price Highway, is having a video contest where you can win 2 nights at their lodge.  They are asking for 30 second videos of people doing fun things around Belize.  Unfortunately, fb is part of the competition, but then again, that's about all it's useful for.  The contest ends on May 31st.

"Summer is just around the corner and we have something fantastic to give away in our Show off Belize Video Competition!  We are giving away 2 nights for two."