The Department of Environment held the inauguration ceremony for Christian Valley Interpretation Centre at the Christian Valley Agricultural Station on Thursday 13 th February.
The ceremony was chaired by the Project Coordinator for the Sustainable Pathways for Protected Areas and Renewable Energy (SPPARE), Mr. Adien Greenaway. The chair spoke to the crowd about the benefits of the Interpretation Centre, which will be used as a space to teach locals and tourists about the natural and cultural significance of the area, as well as to provide a location for eco and agro-tourism, and as a base for community events and activities. Also in attendance was the Chief Environment Officer, Diann Black-Layne, and Ena Dalso-Henry, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment.
Both spoke on the importance of youth leading the charge in preserving Antigua and Barbuda’s environment and the opportunities available to do so. The crowd was also
treated to a presentation by the Trinity Academy Secondary School.
The Interpretation Centre is part of Component 2 of the SPPARE Project, which seeks to establish the area around Boggy Peak as a legally protected area, with a focus on conservation, eco tourism and agriculture. The Interpretation Centre will be equipped with solar panels systems and have the capacity to run on 100% renewable energy.
The Interpretation Centre has also been designed to the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) standard and attained the Gold LEED Certification, the second highest possible category of LEED Certification.
The SPPARE Project is fully funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is being implemented by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and executed by the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Environment.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! “For the (95% people of African Descent resident on Antigua & Barbuda) the most essential value, because the most concrete, is first and foremost the land: the land which will bring them bread and, above all, dignity.”― Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth!
Give Thanks for this Project and the attendant expected design for Gold LEED Certification!
Congrats to Madame Diann Black-Layne. a true Antigua and Barbuda (including Redonda) Champion and Ambassador!
Many Public Facilities, new and aged, are suffering from lack of Quality Facilities Management (FM)- Administration including Planning and Development, Facilities and Equipment Preventive and Unplanned Maintenance and Operations, Utilities Maintenance and Operations, Custodial Services, Hard and Soft Landscape and Grounds Improvements and Maintenance, Cyclical Maintenance and Major Repairs and Renovations! Hopefully the “Powers That Be” will plan to maintain and operate this facility to Platinum Leed Certification Standard for Maintenance and Operations of Existing Buildings but nothing less than Gold!
Ministries responsible for Public Facilities should begin a training regime for their FM staff to the highest maintenance and operating standards, employing best in class skills and utilizing up to date technology systems and processes!
Above all, it is imperative that an Urgency be brought to bear on the the development of an FM Culture devoted to providing a systematic approach to fulfilling the mission and mandate of the Ministry; to deliver quality services, ensure a safe work place, a pleasant and comfortable environment while prolonging the useful life and efficiency of the facility!
“We recognize that change is a challenge, and we take it on as an opportunity for greater success.” W. E. Sonnemaker, Director, Facilities Operations Lockheed Missiles and Space Co!
Comments are closed.