“Plant more trees! Plant more trees!” students chanted in the presence of government officials and staff of the National Parks Trust during an Arbour Day celebration on Friday morning at First Impressions School. “The place is too hot!”
Speakers at the event praised Mr. Shirley’s contributions to conservation in the Virgin Islands.
During more than decade of serving the National Parks Trust, the former senior warden never missed Arbour Day ceremonies, and he volunteered much of his time to environmental causes, according to his daughter Theresa Shirley-Frett.
“He was happiest moving about working on projects such as the planting of the mangroves along the coast at Pockwood Pond, clearing pathways at Mount Sage and making trail signs and gates,” said Ms. Shirley-Frett, the proprietor of First Impressions.
Mr. Shirley was also heavily involved in the NPT’s reforestation efforts at Sage Mountain, a national park where he often held picnics with his grandchildren, according to his daughter.
“His satisfaction came from knowing he served well and helped to make things better for others,” she added.
‘Living memorial’
Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering, the minister of natural resources and labour, urged residents to continue Mr. Shirley’s legacy by taking better care of the environment.
“These trees will grow over the years as a living memorial to the work of this stalwart Virgin Islander,” he said.
Protecting the environment is a critical part of nation building, Dr. Pickering added.
“One of the most important facets of building this nation is the protection of our environment, and we are standing on the shoulders of persons who had the vision and the foresight of what was important and what was necessary,” he said, adding, “If we are going to ensure that these children who are sitting here today have a bright future, we absolutely must protect the natural environment that this country is so fond of.”
Activities
Other honourees included NPT staffers Denville Hodge and Ganshoun Harry.
This year’s celebrations, which were themed “Sage Mountain: A Living Legacy,” also included a vertical garden competition; community tree plantings; tree giveaways; a poetry competition; a radio trivia quiz series on ZBVI Radio; and tours of Sage Mountain, according to the NPT.
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