SPADES and watering cans briefly replaced books yesterday at St Andrew’s School (SAS) as students and staff got down to the ground to join thousands of their peers around the globe to raise awareness on biodiversity by planting trees.

Dubbed “The Green Wave”, hibiscuses, marigolds and roses were just some of the greens that were planted around the premises of the school to mark the International Day for Biodiversity, which is part of the celebrations of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020, as well as in conjunction with World Forestry Day.

Student participant Dk Fauziah Pg Dato’ Hj Yunus said the activity was “fun as it shows care for the earth.” Assistant Deputy Principal Gladys Yee said it was the first time for some students to make use of their green thumbs. Yee also mentioned that plants are “not only for beautification but also in preserving our environment.”

Meanwhile, Principal Jane Keasbery, who also joined the event, told The Brunei Times the importance of raising awareness on the environment and the need to play a part in taking care of it.

According to a statement on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) the Green Wave, held on May 22, is a multi-year global campaign that empowers children and youth to make a difference in caring for the earth. Participating schools around the world plant a tree at 10am local time, creating a “green wave” across time zones.

The Brunei Times