Mangrove forests protect the waters of the Placencia Peninsula and Placencia Lagoon against erosion, hurricanes and environmental disturbances. Yet more and more of this critical habitat is being lost every day. In this time of changing climate and environmental uncertainty, the need to understand and conserve this vital natural resource has become more important than ever.

Find out how mangroves affect you and specific things you can do to preserve and restore them and their benefits.

Speakers include:

• John Cheeseman, Professor of Plant Biology: Environmental Sieves: Mangrove Life-History and Problems of Shoreline Protection
• Ramon Frutos, Meteorologist: Climate change and storms in Belize
• Nadia Bood, Marine Scientist: Disaster preparedness and mangroves
• Lisa Carne, Biologist: A Timeline of Mangrove Removal in Placencia
• Tim B. Smith, Biologist: Strategies for mangrove preservation in Placencia Lagoon
• Adrian Vernon, Community Researcher: Practical Advice for Planting Mangroves

Refreshments to be served and community mangrove planting to follow.