The public is invited to “Green It Up” and Plant a Mangrove Tree in territorial solidarity for Earth Day 2016.

The day will be observed on Friday, April 22 under the theme, “Trees for the Earth.”

Environmental Officer at the Conservation and Fisheries Department, Mrs. Cynara Benjamin-Duncan said the department is promoting Earth Day by planting mangroves.

Mrs. Benjamin-Duncan said, “ We want to do our usual environmental facts and tips on the radio and online, but we want to especially encourage persons to get out with us this year and plant mangrove trees at 2:00 p.m. in Brandywine Bay.”

She invited corporations, companies, churches and civic groups to send representatives to participate in the activity and help in the effort.

The environmental officer said the aim is to raise awareness, promote behavioural change and to raise the profile on issues such as climate change, adaptation and resilience. “Our Earth was created to assist our sustenance and we should do all we can to put in mitigation measures and take care of it”, she added.

The Department of Conservation and Fisheries is also encouraging students to tune in to the ZBVI Radio “Knowledge is Power Hour” on the local 780 AM Station for the Earth Day quiz on Saturday, April 23. There will be a prize sponsored by LIME. The department is also encouraging persons to join in a special commemorative Eco-walk on Saturday, April 23 at 6:00 a.m. starting at the Tola Rentals parking lot in Fish Bay.

Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970, and is now observed annually on April 22. Earth Day is coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and activities are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

The Department of Conservation and Fisheries supports Earth Day and the promotion of green initiatives and lifestyle changes to combat pollution and the effects of climate change.