LOCAL NEWS: ANT INTRODUCES ANGUILLA TREE PLANTING INITIATIVE

We are all aware of the changes that have been wrought in Anguilla’s landscape over the last few years by the boom in construction. While much emphasis has been placed on researching, protecting, and raising awareness about Anguilla’s coastal and wetland ecosystems, Anguilla’s forests and shrubland have not been afforded the same level of importance or attention. Land has been cleared (and burned) indiscriminately for development. The Anguilla National Trust (ANT) poses that this loss of land cover has led to soil erosion, flooding, coastal sedimentation, loss of shade, the loss of important habitat, and the unnecessary release of carbon into the atmosphere. To mitigate the loss of vegetation, the Anguilla National Trust is undertaking a project to establish a community-based native plant nursery that is based on organic planting principles. Seeds of native as well as of culturally-important species of plants along with seedlings and plant cuttings will be collected and grown in a nursery on the property of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Anguilla. A composting facility will also be established that will support the nursery. No chemical fertilizers or pesticides will be applied to these plants. Seedlings will be planted across the island by a group of volunteers operating out of the Anguilla National Trust. Funding for this project has been granted by LIME through their “Go Green” initiative. If you would like to learn more about this exciting and well timed initiative please contact Farah Mukhida Executive Director, Anguilla National Trust, P.O. Box 1234, The Valley, Anguilla. Tel.264 497 5297, E-mail: antpam@anguillanet.com