Thu | Jan 9, 2025

1,000 trees planted at St Ann great house

Published:Sunday | October 8, 2023 | 9:09 AM
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Chief Executive Officer, Forestry Department, and Conservator of Forests, Ainsley Henry (left), is assisted by Managing Director, Jamaica Bauxite Mining Limited, Donna Howe, to plant a tree at Lydford Beulah Park Great House in St Ann on October 6, 2023 to mark National Tree Planting Day. -Contributed photo
Sub-officer in charge of the Claremont police station in St Ann, Sergeant Courtney Taylor, is assisted by Amelia Gordon and La’ina Gordon (right) of Golden Grove Basic School to plant a naseberry tree at Lydford Beulah Park Great House in the parish on October 6,2023 to mark National Tree Planting Day. -Contributed photo
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One thousand trees were planted at the Lydford Beulah Park Great House in St. Ann to mark National Tree Planting Day 2023. 

The initiative, which started in 2003, is an annual observance led by the Forestry Department, and celebrated on the first Friday in October. It aims to promote the value of trees while providing an opportunity for citizens to contribute to increasing Jamaica's forest cover and beautifying communities.

This year's commemoration was staged under the theme 'Keep the Heat Away, Plant a Tree Today'.

The Forestry Department partnered with Jamaica Bauxite Mining Limited (JBM) for the engagement at the great house, which was the national project.

Speaking during Friday's commemorative ceremony, Chief Executive Officer, Forestry Department, and Conservator of Forests, Ainsley Henry, said large-scale tree planting has immense benefits, particularly in mitigating the effects of climate change.

He also underscored the role of trees in providing shade and regulating and reducing temperatures, particularly in urban areas, by up to 12 degrees Celsius.

“The cooling benefits will undoubtedly make going outdoors more attractive and comfortable for all our people. Now, trees are our most valuable allies in carbon sequestration as they absorb and store carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, which helps to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,” Henry explained.

He reiterated that a total of 2.7 million trees have already been planted under a national initiative launched in 2019 by Prime Minister, Andrew Holness. The initiative targets the planting of three million trees in three years.

For her part, JBM Managing Director, Donna Howe, said the entity was pleased to partner with the Forestry Department on the national project, noting that it aligns with “our environmental and social governance objectives.”

“This is a fraction of the 3,000 trees that JBM will be partnering with the Forestry Department to plant this year, and this is just a small contribution towards the national goal target,” she said.

The Forestry Department also hosted other projects at Frome Technical High School and Mount Hermon All Age School in Westmoreland where several trees were planted.

-JIS News

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