Success of the Green Race and Reforestation Day in Managua

By Abdelia Estrada -- Fondo Natura (FUNDENIC) in collaboration with several private enterprises, NGOs and diplomatic representatives of Nicaragua, organized the first Carrera Verde, or Green Race, that included a 5km run, an environmental festival and a reforestation project. This ecological outreach was realized with the help of various local businesses and organizations.

The race was held on the 13th of May, with the start and finish line in the parking lot of the mall of the Galerias Santo Domingo. The environmental festival was held over two days starting the day prior to the race in the area next to the Galeria parking lot. Admittance was free and included a concert where the participants enjoyed the music of La Cuneta Son Machin, Katia Cardenal, Phillip Montalvan, Malos Habitos and many more.

Directors of the blueEnergy Managua and Bluefields offices

Through these activities it is hoped to create awareness about the environmental challenges that the country is facing and call everyone to action to preserve the precious resources of Nicaragua. To that end, every participant in the Green Race will plant four trees, totaling six thousand trees. They can register themselves as volunteers to support this activity which will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting in June and ending in August. They can participate as group representatives of their organizations or businesses, coordinating with the assistance of FUNDENIC. The reforestation will be done in the Fondo Natura nature reserve, situated close to Montelimar, at kilometer 54 on the Carretera Masachapa.

The reforestation days will be led be volunteers of the civil society of environmental commitment, volunteers of the sponsors, runners of the Green Race and students from the colleges and universities.

Lal Marandin, coordinator of the bE Managua office shaking hands with the German ambassador

This initiative, a first of its kind in Nicaragua, was brought together by the following sponsors: La Prensa, Movistar, Grupo Casa Pellas, Gildan, AEI y Galerías Santo Domingo, together with FUNDENIC the association RENOVABLES, blueEnergy, UTN, American College, and special thanks to the technical help of the US embassy with the Managua Runners.