Monmouth town centre was turned tropical last Tuesday (3rd October) to help protect an area of rainforest the size of Wales.

Workers at Bees for Development turned part of Agincourt Square green for charity Size of Wales, which is celebrating Go Green Day this month.

The world's rainforests absorb almost a fifth of the world's man-made carbon dioxide emissions. Size of Wales aims to help protect an area of tropical forest equivalent to Wales, and, in turn, inspire other countries to do the same.

As 'Green Makers' – an environmental version of the London 2012 Games Makers – workers at Bees for Development are encouraging the people of Monmouth to 'Go Green' on Friday 19th October and help the charity achieve its fundraising goal of £2 million.

The money raised in Monmouth will help beekeepers in Cameroon conserve their forest.

Bees for Development, an international development charity with offices in Agincourt Street, are working to develop export honey markets and in turn build local beekeepers' capacity to influence forestry management and ensure it is conserved.

Aberystwyth-based Tropical Forest Products already import the honey to Wales and the rest of the UK.

Janet Lowore, information officer for Africa at Bees for Development, said: "We're really lucky that African honey is on sale in Wales because when people go and buy it they are not just getting something nice to eat, they are contributing to poverty alleviation and they are conserving fantastic forests.

"It is essential that we understand how vital natural resources and rainforests are to the livelihoods of the people in Africa, and that is why events like Go Green Day are so important."

With this in mind, through their role as 'Green Makers', workers at Bees for Development are encouraging schools, businesses, shops and individuals in the Monmouth area to wear green for a donation of £2 on Go Green Day.

Janet said: "There are so many easy ways to get involved – from getting your colleagues or classmates to wear green, to buying a wristband and painting your face or setting up events like cake sales."

Size of Wales has so far raised £1,342,270 towards the £2m target to help protect two million hectares of tropical forest in Africa and South America.

The money raised will be spent on a range of actions that will help protect the forests – from buying tree seedlings to funding rangers, supporting local people and lobbying for land ownership and management rights.

Organisers are urging everyone, whether individuals, employers, schools, colleges or community groups and organisations to get involved by raising money.

Send in your photos in to the Go Green webpage and you can win a prize, including a private comedy gig in your own home or local pub with ITV1's 'Show me the funny'.

Donations can be made and more information on how you can get involved in Go Green Day at http://www.more.sizeofwales.org/gogreen/">www.more.sizeofwales.org/gogreen/