200 saplings of various species planted across Carriacou to foster sustainability

With a vision to take significant steps towards enhancing sustainable development, Carriacou planted more than 200 saplings of various species across the island nation on Saturday. The planting drive comes on the heels of the destruction of a significant number of trees on the sister island caused by Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.

This planting initiative kicked off at the Botanical Gardens in Hillsborough. Nutmeg, palm, white pooey, and mahogany trees were among the species planted in the area.

Following that, the 21-member team proceeded to Paradise Beach in Leicester and behind Sands Beach in Lorriston, where they focused on planting sea grape and almond trees with a vision to help restore the coastal vegetation.

Notably, this initiative is a part of St. George’s University’s 15-year-old conservation project, which is the latest in a series of environmental restoration efforts that previously planted over 600 trees on mainland Grenada.

This project was sponsored by the National Lotteries Authority, the Grenada Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Forestry department who all reiterated their commitment towards restoring biodiversity and protect the area from being damaged, degrade or destroyed.

Aidan Photo, a sustainable landscape management specialist with the climate resilience agriculture for integrated landscape management project under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) participated in offering technical guidance during the planting process.

Aidan Photo, Former Chief Forestry Officer shed light on the importance of planting trees in the environment where they can thrive and aid in the recovery of the island’s natural habitat, underscoring their role in sustaining the ecosystem.

He noted that the species of saplings planted was based on the location, such that they were ecologically adapted to the particular area. The species comprised the likes of sea grapes and almond this were planted along the sea coast. The resulting soil stabilization and also so far biodiversity, would contribute to the carbon sequestration because the place was rendered bare as an aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

The Former Chief of Forestry asserted that this planting of trees has been conducted with a vision to contribute significant step towards self-stabilization, rehabilitate all the areas and revitalize biodiversity.

The authorities asserted that the planting of saplings is a testament to their collaborative efforts aimed at restoring Carraicou’s natural beauty and building climate resilience for future generations. They noted that they are committed towards environmental conservation in Grenada.