As part of World Environment Day celebrations, the Sandals Foundation launched a tree-planting venture. The project, which forms part of the group’s Climate Change Project, plans to plant 2,010 trees.

“We have chosen to expand the initiative by planting 2,010 trees in the Body Pond area in order to demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability in Antigua & Barbuda and globally,” General Manager of Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa Gerald Christ said last week.

Regional Public Relations Manager of Sandals Resorts International Eastern Caribbean, Dominic Fedee, said the project was an opportunity to impact the nation. “The environment is not only the concern of environmentalists but it is the responsibility of every single person who drives their car, or takes a shower,” Fedee remarked to attending the launching of the initiative.  He said the recent drought situation has highlighted the region’s weaknesses, and safeguarding the environment will be paramount in addressing some of the issues the Caribbean faces.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said the project signaled a move in combating climate change. The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment is a partner on the project. In an effort to prevent deforestation, the foundation also planted over 500 trees on International Earth Day. Students from Cedar Grove Primary, Jennings Secondary and winner of the 2010 Biodiversity jingle competition, Joni Spencer of Sunnyside Tutorial, attended the launch.