Utila, Honduras
Last evening we docked here at the pier at “Utila town”, and invited on board a representative from what is locally known as “BICA”, the “Bay Islands Conservation Association”. Eva is a delightful young woman, who through a French organization is spending several months living on the island. Although she works nights in a restaurant, she spends her daylight hours volunteering at BICA. This small, non-profit organization was originally formed in 1990 by local islanders and residents, who were concerned about the future of the natural resources of the island. This concern was due to the demands of the rapid increase in tourism. Over the years BICA has gained the admiration and trust of the local community (not an easy thing to do, as many of us know). So much so nowadays, that many businesses have their “BICA” membership diplomas framed on the walls of their stores for all to see. Needless to say, we are now members BICA, and are very much interested in seeing what we can do for this delightful island and it’s people. Environmental education programs for the younger generation is a vital part of their time and efforts, as is finding a means of avoiding the weekly production of up to 1,000 used, non-rechargeable, batteries. These are the batteries produced by the flashlights used in night dives, and gives one an idea of exactly how many dives are offered here every week.
We spilt up into various groups this morning, and walked through town into the countryside looking at various aspects of life on a small island. Some focused on the botany of the area, others on the birds. Some looked at the houses and structures. Three of us walked the airport road for a great leg-stretching hike, though we never made it to our original goal of hiking up “Pumpkin Hill”, the highest point of the island at 74 meters above sea-level. Whatever the activity, I think we learned a great deal from Eva’s talk of the night before, and our own perceptions of life in Utila as seen during our ramblings about town. It will be a place to remember.
Last evening we docked here at the pier at “Utila town”, and invited on board a representative from what is locally known as “BICA”, the “Bay Islands Conservation Association”. Eva is a delightful young woman, who through a French organization is spending several months living on the island. Although she works nights in a restaurant, she spends her daylight hours volunteering at BICA. This small, non-profit organization was originally formed in 1990 by local islanders and residents, who were concerned about the future of the natural resources of the island. This concern was due to the demands of the rapid increase in tourism. Over the years BICA has gained the admiration and trust of the local community (not an easy thing to do, as many of us know). So much so nowadays, that many businesses have their “BICA” membership diplomas framed on the walls of their stores for all to see. Needless to say, we are now members BICA, and are very much interested in seeing what we can do for this delightful island and it’s people. Environmental education programs for the younger generation is a vital part of their time and efforts, as is finding a means of avoiding the weekly production of up to 1,000 used, non-rechargeable, batteries. These are the batteries produced by the flashlights used in night dives, and gives one an idea of exactly how many dives are offered here every week.
We spilt up into various groups this morning, and walked through town into the countryside looking at various aspects of life on a small island. Some focused on the botany of the area, others on the birds. Some looked at the houses and structures. Three of us walked the airport road for a great leg-stretching hike, though we never made it to our original goal of hiking up “Pumpkin Hill”, the highest point of the island at 74 meters above sea-level. Whatever the activity, I think we learned a great deal from Eva’s talk of the night before, and our own perceptions of life in Utila as seen during our ramblings about town. It will be a place to remember.
