Reforestation Focus as Dominicans Celebrate International Volunteer Day

More than 300 young volunteers join together to plant thousands of trees along the riverbank of the North-Yaque River in Santiago

More than 300 young volunteers join together to plant thousands of trees along the riverbank of the North-Yaque River in Santiago.

More than 300 young volunteers from different regions of the country got together on Friday and planted some 3,000 trees of various species along Santiago´s North-Yaque River in celebration of International Volunteer Day (IVD).

Participating in the event, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Jaime David Fernández Mirabal underscored the importance of young people becoming involved in reforestation activities. He also referred to efforts, underway in his Ministry, to recover the country´s forest floor and understory through the Quisqueya Verde Plan.

The activity formally began in Santiago´s Duarte Park with an introductory welcome speech from from Addys Then Marte, Executive Director of the NGO Alliance. Ms. Then Marte explained that the goals of the activity as she stressed the outpouring of support from the hundreds of young people who volunteered to plant trees all over the country.

From Duarte Park the volunteers went to the Yaque River near the Hermanos Patiño Bridge where the waters of last year´s tropical storm Olga washed away thousands of trees. It was here that the reforestation project kicked off. In addition to the Minister of Environment, representatives of social and state organizations, the Civil Society and the press from Cibao were on hand.

The activity was coordinated with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARENA), the Ecological Society of Cibao (SOECI), the Town Hall of Santiago and the Youth Ministry, among others.

Once the trees were planted, the young volunteers were taken to Casa de Arte where a moving cultural activity was held featuring the well-known hip hop group, Dinastía Urbana, a trio made up of three young people from Bonao. The themes and lyrics of Dinastía Urbana´s songs are related to the defense and protection of the environment and natural resources.

A special mention was also made about the volunteers who will soon receive the President´s Youth Volunteer Service Award, an initiative that seeks to recognize the work of volunteers from around country.

Friday´s activities were supported by Sirve Quisqueya, a network of youth organizations that include the Dominican Scouts Association, AIESEC (the International Association of Student of Science, Economics and Business), the NGO Alliance, the Rotary Clubs, Young People for Peace, the Youth Office of the Town Hall of the D.N. and the Youth Ministry and Volunteer Program of the United Nations. Sirve Quisqueya assumed the commitment and responsibility to undertake the celebration of International Volunteer Day since it was established by the United Nations in 2001.

In addition, the activities also enjoy the support of the United Nations Volunteer Program and the World Bank, two organizations that have allied themselves to promote, motivate and recognize the importance of volunteer service in the Dominican Republic.