This innovative program in southern Belize is using sporting competition to engage communities in environmental issues. Although relatively uninhabited at present, southern Belize has a rapidly growing population. Watersheds are still relatively pristine and water quality is high but land-‐derived pollution is increasing. The main kinds are agricultural ru
n-‐off, soil erosion due to clearance of
riverside forests, detergents from clothes washing in rivers and plastic trash from littering or improper disposal of solid waste in open tips. As an environmental organization, TIDE seeks to build stewardship and responsibility for marine and
freshwater resources in the local community. This is the aim of the highly successful Freshwater Cup ʹa yearly carnival developed to foster environmental stewardship. The TIDE Freshwater Cup has been remarkably successful. It has mobilized schools and entire communities to develop greater awareness of and commitment to
freshwater ecosystems.This is a football tournament with a twist ʹin order to enter, each team must first plan and execute a project to protect freshwater resources. Typical projects include planting trees to protect riverbanks, removing trash from creeks, painting murals celebrating nature or installing signs with environmental messages.
