MANCHESTER, Jamaica— Bartley’s All in Wood (BAIW) Limited celebrated National Tree Planting Day 2022 by planting 21 trees on the campus of the Jamaica Deaf Village (JDV) in Coolshade, Manchester on which the BAIW factory is located.

The BAIW team was comprised of 11 members and advisors along with six persons, five of whom are hearing impaired, from the JDV team.

“This tree planting exercise was special not only due to the partnership between the Jamaica Deaf Village, which provided the land for planting, but also the support staff from the village and Bartley’s contribution which is aimed at creating an arboretum on the JDV campus,” BAIW’s managing director and owner, Lacey-Ann Bartley said.

Bartley noted that the JDV is on a mission to build an arboretum of 10 acres to attract not only birds and people for recreational purposes, but also for edutainment. Future construction will include gazebos and nature trails to allow for wholesome fun and appreciation of nature and the environment. She highlighted that the trees planted were mainly ornamental and fruit trees.

While expressing thanks to the JDV and the Jamaica Forestry Department for their input, Bartley said BAIW believes that tree planting is an important part of its corporate social responsibility “not only because we use lumber, but also because trees are the lungs of the world and we cannot survive without them”.

Bartley expressed that trees were an important part of her childhood as some of her fondest memories were with her family at an orchard in Grove, Manchester picking mangoes. “I hope that this Arboretum will be the place for fond memories for tomorrow’s youth,” she said.

The National Tree Planting Initiative to plant three million trees in three years was launched by Prime Minister Andrew Holness on October 4, 2019. The objective of the initiative is to support national development in the areas of climate change and reforestation efforts to increase forest cover and establish high-value urban green spaces for all Jamaicans.

The Forestry Department is leading the implementation of the initiative. The production of 1.7 million seedlings, including native species, for use in reforestation and tree planting, was conducted by the Forestry Department.

Tree Planting provides many benefits for people and the environment including:

Protection from soil erosion – By providing protective cover for soil from rain.

Carbon sequestration – This helps to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Biodiversity – Strengthens the resilience of the forest so it can withstand storms.

Economic growth – Reforestation supports local economies.

Better recreation activities – Having healthy forests improves the experience.

Air filtering – Trees remove pollutants.

Freshwater – Forests are excellent sources of freshwater supply.

BAIW designs, manufactures and sells quality 100 per cent Jamaican handcrafted wooden corporate gifts, jewellery, souvenirs, hotel amenities, promotional items and furniture from real Jamaican wood. Each piece includes the artwork of gifted Jamaican craftsmen, designed to suit the taste and budget of both the tourist and local markets.