October 1, 2003

NEPA Celebrates National Wood and Water Day…
… Focuses on Tree Planting Across Jamaica

Friday October 3, 2003 has been designated National Tree Planting Day and several organizations across Jamaica will collaborate to conduct tree planting and other environmental activities to mark the day. The official tree-planting day is being observed in recognition of National Wood and Water Day, which falls on Monday, October 6 this year.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), in association with the Ridge to Reef Watersheds Project (R2RW) will plant trees at the Port Antonio High School, on Saturday, October 4, 2003. Starting time is 9:00a.m.

The Forestry Department will participate in two major tree plantings projects on October 3 and 4. A tree planting ceremony is scheduled for 9:00a.m.on the grounds of Devon House in Kingston.

They will also join forces with NEPA to plant several trees in schools in Kingston, St. Ann and South Trelawny on October 3 and 4. Activities get underway at 9:00a.m. each day.

Meanwhile, the annual Retrieve Environmental Fair will take place at the Retrieve All Age School, on the border of Westmoreland and St. James. The fair was started four years ago by the Local Watershed Management Project (LWMP), established by the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP). It starts at 10:00a.m.
National Wood and Water Day is celebrated in Jamaica each year on October 6 and is commemorated in observation of the need to save these precious natural resources.