Students learn valuable lessons from Arbour Day activities

Students of the Enis Adams Primary School perform a song and dance during the Arbour Day 2008 celebrations held at the school under the theme, “Plant a Tree. Protect the Reef.

Speaking at this year’s ceremony last Friday at the Enis Adams Primary School, Governor David Peary spoke of the value of Arbour Day.

“If there is one thing they [the students] should bring away each day as they go to school is the need to protect and preserve the extraordinary environment that the BVI benefits from,” Governor Peary said.

During his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Mr. Clyde Lettsome explained the link between the removal of trees on land and their impact on the coastal resources.

“Every time it rains heavily, the water runs directly from the top of the ridges towards the coast and into the sea, but the runoff does not just contain water, but the eroded soil from our hillsides.

Former legislator and educator, featured speaker Mr. Elmore Stoutt revealed through paintings and a presentation the effects not planting trees will pose to the land and the surrounding waters.  During his interactive session Mr. Stoutt also described how people must do their part to protect the environment and the natural resources. 

Awards were presented to the winners of the radio trivia quiz and the poetry competition.  Tyanna Smith of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School and James Nicholas of the Cedar International School were the first place winners for the poetry competition.

A cross section of the audience at the Enis Adams Primary School during the Arbour Day 2008 celebrations.  Arbour Day was celebrated on November 28 under the theme, “Protect the Reef. Plant a Tree”.  , “Protect the Reef. Plant a Tree”.

in the 5-8 years and 9-12 years categories respectively, while Aamira Williams won in the adult category.The radio trivia quiz winners were Clifton Forbes, Ricardo Ragnauth, Malisa Ragnauth, Kia Soares, Sharonda Pickering and Rekeela Turnbull from various primary and secondary schools.  

Mrs. Phyllis Shirley, Mrs. Josephine Callwood and Mr. Jose Rodriguez received commemorative plaques for outstanding contribution to the preservation of the territory’s natural resources and Mr. Watts Pemberton, now deceased was recognized as the Special Honouree for his longstanding contributions.  Tree samplings were then planted at designated spots throughout the school grounds.

During the month of November the NPT held an array of activities including community tree plantings which were held at the Spring Bay and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.  Tree samplings are still available to the public until December 5 at the Josephy Reynold O’Neal Botanic Gardens and at the Top of the Baths on Virgin Gorda between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m Monday through Friday.

Arbour Day has been observed in the BVI since the declaration of Sage Mountain as a national park in 1964, when it became the focus of the NPT’s reforestation programme.  It is celebrated yearly at a one of the territory’s primary school and is used to promote the planting of trees.  In the territory, Arbour Day was started by Mr. Joseph Reynold O’Neal, the first chairman of the BVI National Parks Trust.