Minister of the Environment, Dr. Denis Lowe, presenting the Timothy Hoyte Award to 4H Leader, Lynette Phoenix.????

The Barbados 4H Foundation has received a prestigious environmental award for its work.

Yesterday, Minister of the Environment, Dr. Denis Lowe, presented 4H leader, Lynette Phoenix, with the Timothy Hoyte Award on behalf of the 47-year-old organisation, during a National Arbor Day ceremony at Queen’s Park.

"It is a tremendous honour to have received this award. I know of Mr. Hoyte and his contribution to the environment, and this would motivate us to continue," said 4H

Programme Coordinator, Hamilton Blackman, in reflecting on the organisation’s most recent accolade.

He explained that?? it was?? in recognition of one of?? their most recent projects, where 4H members worked every Saturday to plant?? over 8,000 seedlings at the NCC’s Codrington, St. Michael, headquarters, as part of its ???Tree for Every Child’ project.

"It culminated with a national tree planting at East Coast road in July, where over 300 4H-ers?? assisted in planting over 1,200 trees," he said.

Mr. Blackman observed that this project was in keeping with the movement’s foray into environmentally sustainable projects.

"In addition to our traditional focus on agriculture, we will be placing greater emphasis on the environment. So, we will be encouraging 4H groups generally, to participate in these types of activities, and we will also be partnering more with environmental organizations," Mr. Blackman revealed.

The award, conferred???? by the National Conservation Commission’s Arbor Day Committee, honours the late Mr. Hoyte, who was a dedicated pioneer in the field of agriculture and horticulture , with over 50 years experience. It is awarded to individuals or groups who have consistently facilitated or promoted the importance of trees, tree planting and environmental awareness, in general, and particularly through community-based projects executed during the past year.

cgaskin@barbados.gov.bb

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