LOCAL NEWS
HRH The Duke of York at Fishlock Hall;
at left H.E. Governor Frank Savage, at right NPT Director, Mr. Joseph
Smith-Abbott
[GIS photo]
HRH The Duke Of York Presents $40,000 For
Youth Environmental Work
By Angela Burns-Piper
Youth environmental work in the British Virgin Islands got a major boost last Saturday when His Royal Highness The Duke of York presented a $40,000 cheque to the BVI National Parks Trust. The presentation was made as The Duke visited the Joseph Reynold O'Neal Botanic Gardens, one of the scheduled stops during his official tour on Tortola. There, he was met by Minister of Natural Resources and Labour the Honourable Julian Fraser, who introduced his Permanent Secretary Mrs. Sheila Brown, Chairperson of the National Parks Trust Mrs. Janice George-Creque, Director of the National Parks Trust Mr. Joseph Smith-Abbott, Curator Mr. Robert Woodman (on secondment from Kew Gardens) and President of the Botanic Society Mrs. Anne Riggall. During a short tour of the garden, members of the Botanic Society and members of the public were able to meet His Royal Highness, who throughout his visit to the BVI exhibited tremendous poise, confidence and charm. HRH also entered Fishlock Hall, toured an exhibition and met young volunteers for the environmental programme.
Minister of Natural Resources and Labour Hon. Julian Fraser noted that the BVI National Parks Trust owns the Botanic Gardens and 18 other national parks, among which are the world famous Baths on Virgin Gorda, Mount Sage on Tortola and the Wreck of the Rhone Marine Park. He explained that the Trust is run by a Board, which is headed by a Chairman and includes a Deputy Chairman and 11 other members, all appointed by the Governor. "The National Parks Trust was established in 1961 with a mandate to preserve and manage designated natural and cultural areas, in order to improve the quality of life in these British Virgin Islands," said Mr. Fraser. He said the J.R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens is a testimony to the will of the people of the British Virgin Islands to preserve and protect the environment.
"No commendation is too high for Mr. J.R. O'Neal, OBE, founder and first Chairman of the British Virgin Islands National Parks Trust and Mrs. Margaret Barwick, wife of the then Governor David Barwick," the Minister stated. He said Mr. O'Neal relentlessly advocated for the area to be preserved and eventually declared a national park, in 1979, while Mrs. Barwick designed and initially laid out the gardens in its current form in 1986. Hon. Fraser noted that the Botanic Gardens lie on the site of the old Agricultural experiment station, which was established in 1902. Food plants and other crops were experimentally grown for propagation.
Fishlock Hall, he noted, has considerable historical significance and adds to the heritage value of the Botanic Gardens. He said it lies on the foundation of the house of Mr. Fishlock, one of the prominent agricultural officers who managed the then agricultural station. "The Garden is 2.87 acres, small when compared to other Gardens in the area, but diverse in its collections and what it lacks in size, it certainly has a variety in beauty," said the Minister of Natural Resources. He reported that research in agriculture, horticulture and botany is being encouraged through the development of a library, propagation house and enhancement of its plant collection. "The Botanic Gardens is a virtual oasis in Road Town, which is increasingly becoming a very busy capital; therefore, public spaces such as the Botanic Gardens and the Queen Elizabeth II Park, play a crucial role in offering a tranquil and beautiful environment for the rest and relaxation for both residents and visitors alike," the government Minister stated. He said the NPT manages a number of environmental programmes, among them are the rehabilitation of the critically endangered Anegada Rock Iguana, the restoration of Roseate Flamingos to Anegada, a reef conservation programme, a reforestation programme, an education programme, an annual summer programme, a mangrove replenishment initiative and soon to come on stream - the National Youth Environment Scheme Corps Programme.
"According to Mr. Fraser, over the years, the Trust has placed considerable effort in involving young people in environmental work. "The Young Friends of the National Parks Trust, a joint annual Summer Programme in conjunction with the Conservation and Fisheries Department and the soon-to-be-launched National Youth Environment Service Programme, are continued efforts in sensitizing individuals as to the importance and fragility of our environment," he said. He added that our youths also play a vital role in the National Parks Trust's annual Arbour Day celebration, where students of the host school plant trees on their grounds, while all territorial schools receive samples of native and natural species to be planted in their respective grounds. In addition, every year, since 1996, the Trust has offered at least two BVI High School students the opportunity to attend the various Visions International camps in Montana and Alaska, where they learn valuable lessons of multi-culture and community service.
"The launching of the National Youth Environment Programme will take the Trust's youth programme further in achieving its goal of building a cadre of young environmentally-conscious individuals," the Minister announced. He said it would seek to increase and stimulate interest in environmental issues and protected areas, to foster stewardship of the environment through active and diligent service, while providing practical training and activities on issues that affect protected areas. His Royal Highness, prefacing his remarks with a witty comment, commended the people of the Virgin Islands for the vitally important work they have been doing with the environment. "I think that there's a great deal that can be done to help the Virgin Islands in their future development, so long as people are aware of the environment in which they live, the environment in which they have to co-habit," The Duke stated. He said he was not suggesting that one should go out on a limb and be a complete militant or allow development just for the sake of development. Rather, he said there has to be a balance in this somewhere. HRH said he thinks the Virgin Islands are doing great things in order to be able to achieve that. "One of the ways of doing this is through involvement of young people and making the future generations aware of their responsibility at an early stage. "And I believe that if you do that, then it's going to give the environment and the development of the Virgin Islands the greatest possible future opportunities," said The Duke. With that, he handed over a cheque for $40, 000 to be used for the youth programme, saying this is where the future is, where the most good will be done, not only for the environment but also for the Virgin Islands and its future development. Chairperson of the National Parks Trust Mrs. Janice George-Creque thanked His Royal Highness for the financial contribution in the advancement of the Youth Environment Programme. [see GIS photo of the Week on page 4]