Saint Lucia joins the rest of the global community in celebration of World Biodiversity Day on Thursday May 22. "Island Biodiversity” is the theme for this year’s International Day of Biodiversity which aims to raise awareness on the importance of biodiversity for islands and the need for island states to sustainably manage their resources.
To raise awareness here in Saint Lucia the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology will host three commemorative activities.
A tree planting exercise will take place at the Canaries primary school, the prize giving ceremony for a poster competition among primary school students from districts 7 and 8 will take place at the scenic Soufriere Waterfront. Also a special exhibition will be staged at the Blue Coral Mall featuring current biodiversity conservation efforts and past successes by the Forestry Department, Saint Lucia National Trust with support from the Fisheries Department and Durrel Wildlife.
The activities are planned to highlight the importance of biodiversity to human existence. Biodiversity contributes significantly to food security, livelihoods and economies of these islands, many of which are Small Island Developing States (SIDS).