Staying true to one of its core principles, namely sustainability, the St. Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) Inc. observed this year’s Earth Day in big way.

On Monday, April 22, SLOC Inc. members joined students and teachers from the Agricultural Division of the Stanley Jon Odlum Memorial Secondary School for a tree-planting exercise on the school’s compound at Marigot.

Earth Day, which is observed annually on April 22, did so this year under the theme, “Planet vs. Plastics”, with a focus on combating plastic pollution and urging a 60% reduction in plastic production by the year 2040.

Prior to the tree-planting exercise, the school had indicated to SLOC Inc. they preferred cherry and cocoa trees. In turn, SLOC Inc. purchased three cherry trees and three cocoa trees from the agricultural station at Union.

The trees were planted at designated locations on the school’s compound, with teachers and students pledging to ensure their upkeep.

“Tree crops play a critical role in school, not only a source of food, shade, and beauty, but are also valuable educational tools,” said Steven Joseph, a teacher from the school’s Agricultural Division. “Thus, this tree-planting exercise is one of the greatest investments in the future of the students at the institution.”

This is not the first time that SLOC Inc. has partnered with schools for such an important exercise. For example, in June 2023, SLOC Inc. partnered with several secondary and primary schools for its tree-planting exercise as part of its annual Olympic Week activities, including the Stanley Jon Odlum Memorial Secondary School.  

The SLOC Inc. once again thanks the staff and students of the Stanley Jon Odlum Memorial Secondary School for participating in this year’s tree-planting exercise in observance of Earth Day.