Source: Hull Daily Mail
It may be more than 5,000 miles away, but the heart of a reserve in the Amazon rainforest could soon become the property of the people of Hull.The pioneering initiative, called One Hull Of A Rainforest, will see the city bid to raise £250,000 to help protect the Maquipucuna Reserve from being developed by the Ecuadorian Government.
The initiative is the brainchild of a handful of Hull primary school teachers who visited the reserve at Easter.
The £250,000 will buy 100 hectares – the equivalent of 100 football pitches.
If bought by a foreign owner, the land would be protected from being developed by the government, therefore protecting hundreds of species.
Natasha Dawson, primary development officer for the Humber Education Business Partnership, organised the trip.
She said: "The teachers were moved by what they saw and decided it would be a great idea to start a charity and call it One Hull Of A Rainforest.
"Initially, the project was to involve primary schools in Hull, who would raise money throughout the year.
"However, secondary schools became interested and organisations, including Hull BID and One Hull, and it has grown from there."
The land would be owned by One Hull Of A Rainforest, but managed and protected by the Maquipucuna foundation.
As such, it would be protected from logging or development.
Other cities globally are already looking to follow Hull's lead and it is hoped eventually all 6,000 hectares of the reserve will be protected.
Nigel Marshall, a teacher at Gillshill Primary School in Cavendish Road, who went on the trip, said: "One Hull Of A Rainforest will provide a wonderful opportunity for the children of Hull to understand the importance of the rainforest to the world we live in."
The fundraising launch will take place at the Freedom Centre in Preston Road, east Hull, on October 15.
Twelve pupils will also have the chance to visit the land they are purchasing to lay a plaque inscribed with the names of all the schools, businesses and other organisations that have fundraised to buy it.