ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES REMAIN A PROMINENT FEATURE OF YOUTH MONTH 2021

Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 12, 2021 (SKNIS): The Department of Youth Empowerment continues the tradition of staging a number of environmental activities this month, as St. Kitts and Nevis celebrates Youth Month 2021.
 
This weekend (November 13 and 14) will see cleanup activities at three locations in St. Kitts. On Saturday, an in-water cleanup will take place at Major’s Bay with support from the Volunteer Corps, Kenneth’s Dive Centre and the Department of Marine Resources. The Ministry of Tourism will also host a beach cleanup on that same day at Reggae Beach. The Department of Youth Empowerment will send a contingent from the Volunteer Corps to support that activity. Members from the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), and the St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA) are also expected to attend.
 
The following day, Sunday, November 14, will feature another cleanup – this time at Conaree Beach. The activity is being held specifically to allow Sabbath-keepers an opportunity to support the coastal cleanup campaign. A team from the Skills Training Empowerment Programme (STEP) will give support as well as CYEN members.
 
Youth Officer Steven Gilbert said that hosting environmental activities is in keeping with the Youth Policy 2017-2022, which has as its fourth pillar ‘Youth and Sustainable Development’. It advocates for greater involvement of young people in caring for the environment which includes actions for its protection and preservation.
 
On November 07, the department planted flamboyant plants along the F.T. Williams Highway and created a green space at the CLICO Housing Development in St. Peters. Other environmental activities slated for the month include Project Green Thumb Tree Planting and Maintenance on November 20, an Eco Hike at the South East Peninsular on November 21, and another beach cleanup on November 27.
 
Environmental activities became a prominent feature for the department in 2015.