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Saturday 5 december 2020
Unique collaboration of organizations
for the reforestation of Aruba
the Parke Nacional Arikok. for the growth and devel- aim of increasing the ap-
The first part consisted of opment of the trees. preciation for local flora,
the planting of the very Trees provide numerous im- and joining in the efforts to
rare and protected Palisia portant and essential – of- conserving Aruba’s biodi-
Cora (Bursera simaruba), ten also medicinal – func- versity and achieving a sus-
at all three sites, which tions. They provide oxygen tainable future.
significantly increases the to the environment and In 2021, the five organiza-
distribution of this species. improve air quality. Trees tions jointly aim to realize:
Additionally, at the Sa- bring shade and make for – Growing local trees in
ORANJESTAD — Ban Lanta y ba’s natural environment. vaneta Marine Barracks, more pleasant ambient nurseries for the purpose of
Planta, Stimaruba, Founda- some 50 trees and shrubs temperatures and reduce reforestation
tion Parke Nacional Aruba, The kick-off of this unique of 18 different species of the ‘heat island effect’ – The annual organization
the University of Aruba and collaboration for Aruba locally endangered trees caused by roads, sidewalks of two joint tree planting
the Savaneta Marine Bar- took place from 27 to 29 were planted on a large and buildings. Trees line events
racks proudly announce November 2020 at three site, ‘Park Van Dasselaar’, our streets, and are found – Raising awareness
their special collaboration different locations: the Uni- which has guaranteed op- in our parks, playgrounds, through social media
for planting local trees to versity of Aruba, the Sava- timal protection and a po- front and back gardens, – Promoting gardening
restore and improve Aru- neta Marine Barracks and tentially high success rate and create a quiet, aes- with local plants and trees
thetic and attractive envi- – Promoting nature-friendly
ronment in many neighbor- and sustainable gardening
hoods. In many countries, – Providing educational
very old trees are a historical opportunities through lec-
landmark and a source of tures and presentations
national pride due to their
beauty and majestic ap- The organizations look
pearance. Trees also help back on a fruitful kick-off
fight climate change by weekend and look forward
absorbing large amounts to further strengthening
of carbon dioxide. their collaboration and for-
There are 352 species of tifying their efforts with the
plants and trees registered help of the community and
on the island, of which volunteers. The organiza-
6 species only occur on tions will continue to focus
Aruba. Many species are on promoting and planting
under pressure and threat- local trees for the benefit
ened in their survival. Re- of Aruba’s natural environ-
planting native trees is es- ment and biodiversity.
sential for restoring the orig- Beyond the collaboration,
inal tropical forest, restoring each organization makes
a healthy soil structure, its own specific contribu-
creating more habitats for tion to the conservation of
local wildlife, and increas- local flora, increasing bio-
ing Aruba’s biodiversity. But diversity and promoting
perhaps even more impor- sustainable behavior:
tant than replanting native
trees is the preservation Ban Lanta y Planta (Trees
and protection of the al- for Aruba)
ready existing trees, as the Ban Lanta y Planta is a
older a tree is, the greater young foundation that is
its ‘ecosystem service’ and working hard to achieve
its contribution to human their first goal of growing
health. and planting 10,000 native
By working together, the trees, including mangrove.
five organizations share This non-governmental,
their knowledge and bun- voluntary organization also
dle their expertise in pro- actively focuses on educa-
tecting and preserving the tion and community out-
still-existing nature, reha- reach to create awareness
bilitating and restoring the for the protection of exist-
original nature that has ing trees and their impor-
been affected by human tance.
activities over the centu-
ries, reaching out to the Continued on Page 9
local community with the
