In a collaborative effort to celebrate Independence Day, the Consular Corps of Barbados partnered with the Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research Education and Design (WIRRED) to plant just over two dozen trees at the National Botanical Gardens on Monday.
During a brief ceremony, Honorary Consul for the Bahamas and Dean of the Consular Corps of Barbados Selwyn Smith highlighted the corps’ commitment to the Barbados National Tree Planting Project which aims to plant one million trees to contribute to the global fight against climate change.
The 25-member Consular Corps of Barbados created the initiative to plant a total of 25 trees, symbolising each country represented within the Corps.
“While 25 trees may not seem like a massive contribution to the million, we feel that it is symbolic and it is important that we participate in such an effort,” said Smith.
The planting ceremony featured a diverse selection of trees, including a Baobab tree and other fruit and statement trees such as avocado, Mediterranean fig, soursop, and a golden apple tree. The trees, provided by Walkers Nursery which is managed by WIRRED, are part of the charity’s flagship initiative, the One Tree for Every Bajan programme.
Speaking to Barbados TODAY on the sidelines of the ceremony, Programme Manager at WIRRED Elize Rozant said the charity hopes to plant 285 000 trees and plants as part of their reforestation project.
“As a means to address climate change and its negative effects, we have planted trees across Barbados. Through this initiative, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of trees and reforestation as we strive to plant one tree for every Bajan,” Rozant explained.
WIRRED has successfully planted over 135 000 trees and plants across the island since the inception of the programme in 2019. Additionally, all trees planted through this initiative will contribute to Barbados’ national goal of planting one million trees.
(BB)
