Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
ExxonMobil donates $20M for Botanical Gardens rehabilitation
The Botanical Gardens on Vlissengen Road, will receive a much needed boost following a donation from United States oil and gas giant, ExxonMobil to the National Protected Areas Commission.
Erik Oswald, Vice President, Americas, ExxonMobil Exploration Company symbolically presents the $20M cheque to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and Commissioner of Protected Areas Commission, Damian Fernandes. Also in photo are other ExxonMobil officials and natural resources stakeholders.
Vice President for Exploration-America’s ExxonMobil, Erik Oswald, who made the donation to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman on Monday said, “It’s a wonderful park and we look forward for it being renovated. That’s why we’re donating money to it. We’re also very happy that there’s an educational component to that donation, so that children will be able to come and learn about the wildlife.”
Minister Trotman speaking at the handing over ceremony at the Botanical Gardens said he was very happy that there’s an educational aspect that will be undertaken in the gardens’ rehabilitation.
The donation will allow for the creation of a waterfall feature at the entrance of the Botanical Gardens. This is significant as it will commemorate Guyana’s 50th anniversary by showcasing the country’s many waterfalls, the Ministry of the Presidency said.
The Victoria Lily pond will be enlarged, deepened and landscaped for better promotion of the rare Victoria Amazonica, Guyana’s national flower. Additional grass will be added around the pond. In addition, outdoor lights will be installed along the road leading to the parking lot. This will extend visitors’ hours beyond sundown. It is also anticipated that evening receptions will be hosted in the gardens, as security lighting will be installed at strategic points.
There will also be the creation of botanical labelling and signage. A catalogue of key plant species in the Botanical Gardens has been completed and will be used to prepare mounted labels on tree/plant specimens. A brochure and map will be produced to facilitate self-guided “plant walks” around the gardens. Furthermore, field trips will be offered to various schools in the surrounding areas to learn about their country’s natural environment.
The Botanical Gardens houses one of the most extensive collections of tropical flora in the Caribbean and is laid out with ponds, canals, kissing bridges and a bandstand.
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