JIS Launches Tree Planting Initiative for Child Month

Harbour View is the first of four primary schools in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine to benefit from a tree planting project organized by the JIS to mark child month. The activity which is supported by the Forestry Department will see a total of forty trees being planted on the school campuses.  

 The team from JIS led the students in planting 10 trees along the perimeter of the school’s playfield. These included the poor man orchid, the queen flower, the acacia and the poinsettia.

Grade 5 student, Nathan, said he is looking forward to the protection the trees will provide.” I enjoyed planting the trees today; well not so much because of the sun. But in the future when the trees grow I’m going to get shade.”

One of the saplings was dedicated to the Grade One students, who were given the responsibility to nurture it throughout their six years at Harbour View Primary.

Senior Director, Forest Science and Technology Services Division at the Forestry Department, Donna Lowe emphasized the importance of protecting the environment and commended the JIS for taking this action which will increase the student’s knowledge and appreciation of their surroundings. 

“So I leave you at JIS to continue the initiative, partnering with our schools to plant trees and helping us to spread the word that ‘to plant a future you need to plant a tree,” she said.

Principal of Habour View Primary, Lawrence Wright, commended the JIS and the Forestry Department for its environmentally conscious initiative.

“It is exciting that the children are a part of the whole process of planting and commitment to nurture and take care of these trees. We live near to the sea so the more protection we get from these shaded trees is better for the community. We really appreciate the support from JIS and Forestry,” she said.

The JIS Tree Planting Project will continue at Padmore Primary, on May 21; Bridgeport Primary, May 28 and Naggo Head Primary on May 30.