EnviroWeek opens Sat
with packed programme
PHILIPSBURG--Residents, especially those with the environmental protection at heart, are urged to be part of the first EnviroWeek that starts Saturday with an exhibition at Philipsburg Jubilee Library and a youth debate in Belair Community Centre.
Organised by Caribbean Foundation for Sustainability, EnviroWeek aims to highlight and gather suggestions and solutions to the major environmental issues plaguing the island.
At a press conference held at Taloula Mango’s Thursday, EnviroWeek spokesman Donald Webster said the environment should be everyone’s concerns. Organisers, including the island’s plethora of environmental and heritage foundations, are counting on the press and the public to highlight not only the week of activities but the main issues such as sewage, damage to nature, coral reefs and others.
“Environmental Status,” a movie starting at 1:30pm will precede the youth debate with Coral Reef Specialist Tom Goreau, Rueben Thompson of Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and a representative of the Department of Environmental Policy VROM, in attendance to answer questions.
On Sunday’s line up is a hike in Guana Bay, starting at 8:00am, organised by St. Maarten Heritage Foundation. Hike cost is US $5 for non-foundation members. In the evening, Goreau and Ocean Care will make presentations about Coral Reef restorations and BioRock in Philipsburg Theatres at 7:00pm.
Presentations on “How is St. Maarten portrayed to the outside world” by Damir Brdjanovic of UNESCO-IHE, and “Protecting Sea Turtle nesting beaches” by Beverly Nisbeth of Nature Foundation, scheduled for Belair Community Centre at 7:00pm, is the highlight of Monday’s programme.
Rolando Tobias of St. Peters Community Centre will discuss Sewage and Noise at Rupert I. Maynard Youth Community Centre Tuesday at 7:30pm.
Enviro movies, made possible by Philipsburg Theatres and St. Maarten Pride Foundation will be showing at 8:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
A presentation by VROM and on the Blue Flag project is set for Thursday at 7:00pm at Belair Community Centre.
A workshop only for government officials will be conducted Friday by DCMR Environmental Agency Rijnmond of the Netherlands at Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort.
EnviroWeek closes at Taloula Mango’s Friday evening with a party and announcing the winners of the high school art contest.
For more information about the activities, visit www.enviroweek.com or call 527-0591.
