A document that will serve as an ideal reference for current and historical information on the Territory’s environment will be launched on Wednesday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m. at the J. R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens.

The document titled, “An Environmental Profile of the Island of Tortola and A Natural History Characterisation of Tortola’s sister Islands” is based on the environmental profile of Tortola, and will be used as a framework for the creation of policies, programmes and research.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering said the environmental profiles fills the Territory’s need to have access to methodical and comprehensive data to assist in evaluating the impacts of growth on the environment and chart the way forward.

Dr. Pickering said, “In the BVI, prior to the profiles, there was no consolidated publication or integrated resource that provided ease of access to environmental information, whether generated by the public or private sector.”

The Minister added that this document will also provide data to assist public sector resource managers and the BVI community in protecting and managing the environment.

This is the fourth volume of the environmental profiles based on the Virgin Islands launched by the Islands Resources Foundation. Volume one titled, An Environmental Profile of the Island of Jost Van Dyke was published in 2009. In 2012, volume two titled, An Environmental Profile of the Island of Virgin Gorda was published, while volume three labelled An Environmental Profile of the Island of Anegada was published in 2013.

Interested attendees are asked to RSVP by sending an email to Ms. Judith A. Towle at jtowle@irf.org.