The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change launched its Seagrape Tree Replanting Initiative at Long Bay, Beef Island last Saturday.

Permanent Secretary Dr. Ronald Smith-Berkeley said the programme falls under “Operation Restoration,” and forms part of the Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan which seeks to restore the sand dune with native trees and replant the vegetation line with seagrape trees.

Dr. Smith-Berkeley said 20 of the first 100 seagrapes trees sponsored by Unite BVI were planted at the launch.

The Permanent Secretary said, “The ministry is excited about the replanting initiative and very happy to see the enthusiasm and engagement of the community. We hope this initiative serves not only as a means to protect and restore our environment but preserve the legacy of significant community figures.”

Programme Coordinator of Unite BVI Alexander Katra, said that her organisation will continue its partnership with the ministry towards restoration of the wider beach dune and enhanced public education on beach management.

The launch also featured a Seagrape Tree Naming Ceremony where trees were named after deceased members of the 7th and 8th Districts who have made significant contributions to the community fabric or community development.

The areas of contribution include environmental protection/stewardship, history and culture, education, farming, fishing, boat building or other historic aspects of socio-economic development. Naming the trees seeks to build a sense of community connection to and stewardship for the trees and to preserve the legacy of these significant community builders.

Premier and 7th District Representative, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley, 8th District Representative Honourable Marlon Penn and students of the Francis Lettsome and Willard Wheatley Primary schools planted the first two trees while the others were planted by the students, parents and community volunteers.

The names of an additional thirty eight persons will be affixed to seagrape trees to be planted later this year after the hurricane season. The names of trees to date will be published at bvi.gov.vg/environment

The public is invited to participate in the tree naming process by nominating persons after whom the remaining 42 trees, also to be planted this year, should be named following the same criteria.

Nominations should be made during Environment Month, which is June, by contacting the ministry by telephone at 468-2147, email at menrcc@gov.vg or by completing the nomination form at bvi.gov.vg/environment.

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change hopes to achieve full restoration of the seagrape treeline with sponsorship of an additional 100 seagrape trees by persons and businesses in the community.

Interested sponsors should contact the ministry or complete the sponsorship form available at bvi.gov.vg/environment.

The Initiative is a collaboration with Unite BVI, a non-profit foundation based in the Virgin Islands as well as the Centre for Applied Marine Studies, H Lavity Stoutt Community College.