Business View Caribbean - October 2016 9
planting), which socializes them and teaches them
the value of protecting the environment and the ef-
ficacy of planting trees,” he noted.
The Minister argued that the activity must be a “na-
tional imperative” in the face of the serious chal-
lenges associated with climate change, noting that
activities of this nature must be done in a sustain-
able manner to have meaningful impact.
“We have challenges with global warming and cli-
mate change, and all this can be part of teaching
students why it is important to plant trees. It’s not
about doing things just one time; you need to make
it a habit and have a culture of protecting the envi-
ronment,” Senator Reid emphasized.
The annual exercise, which is spearheaded by the
Forestry Department, aims to highlight the role of
trees in the sustenance of life, while providing an
opportunity for the public to contribute to increasing
the island’s forest cover and beautifying surround-
ings by planting trees.
Members of Government ministries and agencies,
representatives of educational institutions and the
business community, and the general public are in-
vited to participate in the national initiative. Minis-
ter of Local Government and Community Develop-
ment, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, and members of
the Early Childhood Commission were also on hand
to assist the young students in the tree-planting ex-
ercise.
Tree-planting exercises were also held at Penwood
High School, Dupont Primary and Infant School, Sea-
ward Primary and Junior High School, and Kingston
High School in the Corporate Area. Other participat-
ing schools were Mount Alvernia High School in
Montego Bay; Happy Grove High, Portland; Munro
College, St. Elizabeth; and Moneague Primary, St.
Ann.
This year’s National Tree Planting Day was celebrat-
ed under the theme “Trees Today, Trees Tomorrow,
Trees for Life.”
