Road Town, Tortola - The Conservation and Fisheries Department is encouraging the community to participate in the various activities slated for June’s Environment Month under the theme “Biodiversity: Connecting with Nature”.
Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer Mr. Bertrand Lettsome highlighted the Parade for the Planet as a major activity for this year’s Environment Month. He invites local organisations including bands, sport teams, cheerleaders, jump rope teams, schools, environmental groups, all government and non-government agencies to participate in this event on June 9th at 3:30 pm. The parade will begin from the Festival Grounds in Road Town and travel along the Sir Francis Drake Highway and end at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park.
“I am encouraging parade participants to use recycled materials and if vehicles are being used it should be low emission carbon vehicles”, Mr. Lettsome added.
Other major activities scheduled for Environment Month includes the Environment Month Opening Ceremony at the Central Administration Complex on June 4, and the State of the Environment Address by the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Omar W. Hodge which will broadcast on all local radio and television stations declaring June 5th as World Environment Day. Additionally, a church service at the Transformation International Church, East End on June 6, sunset service and nature walk at Josiah’s Bay on June 26, Apprentice for the Day from June 21-25, Turtle Encounter Programme throughout the entire month at various schools and Fisherman’s Day on Long Bay Beach, Beef Island will conclude the month’s activities on July 2.
The Conservation and Fisheries Department is promoting the activities during the month by participating in several radio talk shows and television programmes.
To learn more about Environment Month or to obtain registration or entry forms, for the various activities, persons can contact the Conservation and Fisheries Department at 468-3701 extension 5555 or 494-3429 or visit the Department in the Quastisky Building, 2nd Floor on the Sir Francis Drake Highway or the website at www.bvidef.org or on www.facebook.com by typing BVI Environment Month.
Environment Month has been observed annually in the BVI since 1993.
British Virgin Islands News