Students take part in annual tree planting exercise
Among them were students from Althea Scatliffe Primary, Ebenezer Thomas Primary and Agape Life Centre who were briefed by Director of the National Parks Trust, Joseph Abbott Smith on the reason for the event and its significance.
Mr. Smith told the students the importance of being part of the tree planting ceremony and how they can return years later and still see the trees standing that they would have planted.
“We hope to develop the bigger park so that everyone can enjoy themselves and hopefully many years from now, your little kids, brothers and sisters, can come and enjoy this park. So what we are doing today we are planting trees well beyond this event,” he disclosed.
He further explained that the trees they were planting were the lignumvitae, which is a very hard wood that was used for building boats and carpentry. The NPT Director revealed that while the tree was slow growing it would live very long.“So we want to leave very long living trees so well beyond the years, we can all come back here and say we planted this tree,” he told the students, noting that those particular trees had come from Beef Island.
Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool and Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn were also present for the event.Minister Vanterpool said he was pleased to be there which reminded him of when he was in the then Road Town Primary now Althea Scatliffe, and planted a tree at the Sunday Morning Well.
“Those trees are still there it’s a useful thing that you are going to do and many years later when you get older like me you can look back and see you did something good for the environment and for better healthy living.”
The National Parks Trust envisions an improved quality of life for the Territory and citizens by the preservation and management of the natural environment. Through Arbour Day, the trust promotes the replanting of trees to improve and safe-guard water resources and minimise exposed landscapes.
Arbour Day was founded in the Territory by the late J.R. O’Neal, the first chairman of the National Parks Trust.
The first tree planting ceremony took place in the Territory in 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and has continued annually since 1961.
Meanwhile, the activities for the NPT’s 50th anniversary celebrations continues this evening with the local showcases which makes way for tomorrow’s Concert Series featuring UB40’s Ali Campbell and on Sunday, John Legend.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
20 Responses to “Students take part in annual tree planting exercise”