Botanic Gardens to be restored for 250th anniversary in 2015

A number of corporate entities have already made public contributions towards the restoration of the Botanic Gardens, three years ahead of its historical milestone.{{more}}

Yesterday, Monday, February 6, at the launching ceremony for the restoration of the gardens for its 250th anniversary, the Bank of Nova Scotia and Karib Cable made financial contributions to the Friends of the Botanical Gardens, through Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, to assist with the process.

Plans are underway for a major upgrade of the gardens, the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, as stakeholders prepare for the milestone.

Director of the National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority Andrew Wilson indicated, as he addressed the gathering, that the idea of a botanical garden should now be beyond plants and flowers, and stakeholders should broaden their horizons, as to what a botanic garden should be and include.

Leading regional historian, curator and anthropologist Dominican Lennox Honychurch delivered an historical overview of the importance of the Botanic Gardens to St Vincent and the Grenadines, the region and the world.

Honychurch called on all involved to once again make the Botanic Gardens a centre of attraction for world botany, for all to admire and enjoy.

Other addresses were made by Chairman of the National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority Gideon Nash, business leader and international consultant Dr Julian Ferdinand, Operations Manager of The Mustique Company Ty Kovach, and Jankie Glass of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

Glass’ company Karib Cable made an EC$5,000 donation towards the restoration program, which will go towards the purchasing of plants for the project.

Manager of the Bank of Nova Scotia Basil Alexander also made an undisclosed contribution on behalf of his institution towards the initiative.(JJ)