Great Bay,– Six flamboyant trees – the national tree of St. Maarten – will be planted at six of the island's secondary schools on March 22, 2010, National Tree Day. The initiative is a joint effort of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and the St. Maarten Archeological Center (SIMARC), who are teaming up once again to create awareness of the importance of trees in the environment.This year's National Tree Day is being celebrated under the theme: "Youth and Nature Working Together."
"It is a very appropriate theme given the priority government is giving to the environment and youth," remarked Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega.
"We chose the flamboyant tree because it is a powerful national symbol and the six secondary schools because they represent the future of our island," she explained.
The schools where the tree planting event will be held include The Milton Peters College, St. Maarten Academy, St. Dominic High School, Sundial School, Learning Unlimited, and Caribbean International Academy (CIA). All the trees were donated by Mr. Jerry Speetjens.
Government and tourism officials as well as representatives of SIMARC will attend the tree-planting ceremony which will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00AM at St. Dominic High School on March 22, 2010. In addition, posters of the St. Maarten National Day of Trees highlighting the significance of trees in our environment, will be presented to both primary and secondary schools as an educational aid.
It will be recalled that Leader of Government, Commissioner William Marlin, referred to the environment as "our most valuable legacy" in his New Year's Address and laid out government policy as it concerns the environment.
"I consider it a critical obligation to provide effective stewardship of our natural endowment of lands, our sea, our ponds, our vegetation, our hills, and the air we breathe," Commissioner Marlin said in the address.
Calling them "our island's primary assets" he stated: "I expect that as custodians of the environment, we will all be involved in protecting the natural riches with which nature has generously blessed us."
Marlin added: "We owe it to those to whom we will leave our island to ensure that our environment is an enhanced legacy."
"It is within this context of an 'enhanced legacy' that the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau in collaboration with SIMARC is marking National Tree Day by focusing on the youth," Regina LaBega stated.
