On December 7th, 2022, the Marquis River in Babonneau, was the site of a significant restoration exercise with one hundred and fifty trees being planted by volunteer teams.
Under its Sustainable Solutions environmental programme, BOSL partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture – Forestry Department, the Iyanola Project, the District One Education Office and students and teachers of the La Guerre, Boguis and Babonneau Primary and Babonneau Secondary schools for the first in a series of tree planting activities.
The banks along the Marquis river provided a sobering reminder of the awesome power of nature, following the devastating impacts of the November 6th trough.
Chris Sealys, Forestry Officer with the Ministry of Agriculture – Forestry & Lands Division who was present at the tree planting exercise, expressed that, “we have embarked on a project to rebuild our river banks, not only with corporate citizens such as BOSL and the students who are here today, but also with the Iyanola Project to enhance the environment in the north east coast by sustaining our river banks and protecting our forests.”
The Bank launched a number of activities under its Sustainable Solutions programme including beach clean ups, tree planting exercises, virtual panel discussions and green energy financing solutions.
The goal is to support advocacy through education, financing and community involvement across the island.
Omari Frederick, Senior Manager Marketing & Corporate Communications explained, “The Sustainable Solutions programme is the conduit through which we pay homage to the environment. We recognize as an institution that it is our responsibility to do all within our power to demonstrate care in supporting restoration and conservation efforts. We will spare no effort in ensuring that we safeguard our environment for the future of our children, and the next generation to come.”
Bank and Ministry officials encourage all citizens and businesses alike to support environmental restoration and conservation efforts.
As responsible citizens, it is our obligation to individually and collectively contribute positively to climate change, biodiversity and livelihood objectives.
SOURCE: Bank of Saint Lucia
Thank you Bank of St Lucia and The Boguis community.
Reminds me of the African bBeeP roverb, “Keep Buzzing until Help comes”
{Do what you can, no matter what people might say about You, if its Positive Help will come eventually}
mahlo.
This has to be an island wide initiative with each district engaging their own schools. and the cutting down of the big trees near each island river must be investigated. To protect houses located close by in the event of disaster, some natural fortification should be used. Also deeper, cleaner rivers will bring back the fish and crayfish ect.. believe it or not, lucian rivers once had fish that we used to eat. all immediate land next to rivers which have not been populated for generations should be crown property. Some communities have been living near rivers for generations and govt cannot interfere except in protecting the rivers.