TTFF board member Dr. Ken Banks delivered 144 breadfruit trees to Saba and Statia (St. Eustatius) this month. The trees were divided between the two. These are among the five Caribbean islands that compose the Netherlands Antilles.
On this mission, Dr. Banks partnered with Justin Simmons-de Jong, Project Manager of The Public Entity Saba, and Jethro van’t Hul, Terrestrial Parks Manager at St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA.)
With a goal of increasing local food production, the Public Entity of Saba’s project is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature in the Netherlands. The 72 trees allotted will be planted in public spaces, distributed to community members who practice backyard farming, and used to develop a food forest.
St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation, under its ReforeStatia program will plant some of the 72 trees they received in the main reforestation site. Others will be offered to farmers and the Department of Agriculture.
“These projects will increase food availability and improve nutrition for the people,” said Dr. Banks. “The natural beauty of the islands will also be enhanced.”
TTFF is grateful to these three men who have put much time and effort into planning and carrying out these projects thus far. We also thank the governmental agencies for their partnership. And as always, we appreciate our supporters!
We can all look forward to seeing these breadfruit trees grow and produce fruit in Saba and Statia!
