The National Conservation Commission (NCC) at its Codrington’s Headquarters will host a scavenger ‘tree’ hunt and family lime to celebrate National Arbor Day.
Though internationally Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April in some countries and on several months and dates in other jurisdictions, Barbados celebrates National Arbor Day on September 22; this date was re-designated back in 1997 in acknowledgement of the anniversary of Hurricane Janet.
This year’s Arbor Day activities under the theme “Know Your Trees” include a scavenger ‘tree’ hunt which will commence at 2:30 p.m. and culminate at approximately 4:30 p.m. There will also be a family lime scheduled to commence at 2:00 p.m. and end at 7:00 p.m. Both activities will take place at the NCC’s Headquarters, Codrington Road, St. Michael.
NCC’s Special Projects Officer Ricardo Marshall is encouraging the public to support the activities. “The scavenger tree hunt is a fun and interactive way to educate the public about trees while highlighting the features, beauty, and ambience of public green public space that we manage. The activity also promotes health and fitness as well,” he said.
The hunt will involve a mapped out course beginning at the NCC’s car park and will take participants to nine different locations around the island in search of trees and novelty items.
Participants must have access to a vehicle and will be required to utilise their cellular phones and have access to the internet to participate. Participants must progress through the course in chronological order as leading clues will be provided to direct them to the next stage.
They must also collect all the novelty items at every stage of the course to be considered for one of the prizes. Those prizes are first place $1,600.00; second place $1,200.00; and third place $800.00. Consolation prizes will also be awarded to the best outfitted group, the group with the most creative name, and the group with the youngest member.
Registration for the scavenger ‘tree’ hunt closes on Sunday, September 15. Interested persons should register using https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTV-N5uX6RUsitDmDt6p4pAFWZH_bV1N-cadc_II3xVT4VNg/viewform.
The family lime event will include health checks, financial health advice, line dancing, Kango and Soca Spin Classes, a kid’s zone; karaoke and music by DJ Gerald B. Food, snacks and drinks will be on sale.
Other activities occurring on September 22 include a plant sale and plant swap, a plant propagation workshop, and a plant tissue culture workshop.