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On Wednesday, Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. and First Lady Cecile de Jongh, along with the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture will jointly announce the dedication of the First Lady’s Herb and Tea Garden at Government House, St. Thomas.
In commemoration of Earth Week, specifically Earth Day as observed on April 22nd, students from the Garden Club of the Gladys A. Abraham Elementary School will join the Governor, First Lady and VIDOA staff in planting various herbs and bush teas in newly prepared garden plots at Government House. The initiative seeks to raise awareness on the importance of individually contributing to green initiatives in support of a healthy planet and to inspire Virgin Islanders, especially youth, to garden at school or at home and to eat healthy meals and snacks every day.
The theme for this year’s national Earth Day observation is “Earth Day: A Billion Acts of Green.” Through this effort and countless individual acts and larger organizational initiatives throughout the nation and worldwide, citizens are asked to participate in the goal of measurably reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainability.
During the event, basil, rosemary, mint, lemongrass, celery, parsley, and thyme will be planted in six garden plots.
Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970. While this first Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day.
The press is invited to attend the dedication of the first lady’s Herb and Tea Garden on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the lower plot near the First Lady’s Garden at Government House, St. Thomas.
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