Unfortunate events present opportunities for growth.  The outpouring of love the Territory received after Hurricanes Irma and Maria yielded new seeds – Seeds of Love.  The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) is spreading love in the BVI through its global “Seeds of Love” initiative. The campaign aims at replanting the islands’ indigenous trees and vegetation destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria whilst preventing erosion and protecting the ecosystem, the very thing that makes the tourism product unique.  Environmental preservation is vital to ensuring that the destination lives up to the environmental image of unspoiled landscapes that resound with the tag line, “Nature’s Little Secrets”.

Chief Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Lionel Michael is appealing to residents to refrain from backyard burning because of the environmental and personal health impact on the community. 

Fogging will continue in the Road Town area beginning Thursday February 8 between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Madame Speaker, I address this Honourable House to report on the progress made in the massive job of cleaning up our beaches and clearing the same of any marine debris which accumulated along our shores.  

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour is appealing to the Virgin Islands community to give due care and attention when working in and around mangroves during this critical time in their recovery following the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The Cane Garden Bay beach is closed for recreational use until further notice due to poor water quality.

My fellow Virgin Islanders and residents of this Territory: This morning, I had the opportunity to visit different areas in Tortola as we, as a Territory, continue our recovery efforts.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is reminding visitors to the Territory that effective September 1, an environmental and tourism levy of $10.00 will be collected on arrival at all ports of entry.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Orlando D. Smith, OBE, has called on residents to stop the improper dumping of garbage and keep the environment clean.

There are milestones in the development of any country,and there are turning points that determine the destiny of a place under shifting circumstances.