The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) last Friday, 16th May 2025, honored a global fight against climate change, by organizing celebration for the 15th Anniversary of ‘ National Tree Planting Day’ with a call on Liberians to lay solid environmental foundation for the current and future generations.
The on-day ceremony pulled stakeholders together at the conference room of the Paynesville Town Hall to celebrate the Tree Planting Day with commitment and promise to protect and sustain Liberia’s forest and species.
Implied in the wake of the celebration, the reality remains that like other countries; Liberia currently experiences rapid deforestation due to economic activities that are giving to the threats of global warming in the country.
“Plant Trees, Save Lives” was the theme of the 15th Anniversary of the National Tree Planting Day celebration. In concept, the keynote address and remarks made at the occasion resonated with the theme, thus admonishing Liberians to support the national call to protect the country’s ecosystem for the born and unborn generations.
“Don’t see the occasion only as reforestation of the landscape, it signifies collective commitment to combat the threats of deforestation, climate change and environmental degradation,” Prince Gbeiu, the Chief of Office State of Vice President Jeremiah Kpang Koung noted on behalf of the Vice President.
He said the celebration was meant “to foster a deeper connection with our environment.”
The VP proxy indicated that honoring the National Tree Planting event was a testament of Liberians through the Forestry Development Authority, showcasing the future of national sustainable development under the stewardship of President Joseph Boakai’s rescue agenda.
According to him, Liberia is blessed with abundant natural resources, noting that trees play important role in the country’s ecosystem because they consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen as ‘bad product to improve our air system.’
The VP proxy called on Liberians to recognize the importance of trees in mitigating the effects of climate change, terming the occasion as an opportunity to educate and inspire all generations that trees planting is a crucial role in preserving “our environment.”
“Each tree planted today is the legacy for our children, grandchildren and the future generations. The initiative offers the Liberian people a chance to come together as a community to unite and combat global warming and protect the country’s ecosystem,” he emphasized.
In remarks, University of Liberia President, Dr. Layli Mapanyan, said forest is a “place to enjoy nature.”
She urged young people to enroll at the University of Liberia and study Science, Biology and Maths with the intent that they can learn about forestry and protect the Liberian forest and species.
Dr. Mapanyan disclosed a planned Memorandum of Understanding between the UL Administration and the Forestry Training Institute for students of the latter to enroll at the former for advanced studies in the sector.
She also encouraged young people to attend the UL to, according to her, “Study Commercial Forestry, Community Forestry, Conservation Forestry…”
Dr. Layli also called on the young people to see the forest as a place where jobs are available; adding , “ Study and know the trees by names.”
She hailed the Management of the FDA for organizing the program, and also thanked participants who performed drams befitting the occasion.
A representative of LICOFBU- one of the partners of the sector, used coconut trees as case study of the National Trees Planting celebration.
The representative named three major benefits of coconut trees to the environment. According to him, coconut trees can protect the environment from sea erosion; provide herbs for humankind; and produce rehydration and food for human survival.
The LICOFBU representative called on residents of Monrovia to plant about two million coconut trees in support of the National Trees Planting effort and as well used the opportunity to appeal for increased budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture in the next Fiscal Budget to buttress the collective efforts in the sector.
The President of Nimba University and a representative of the AME University also made remarks at the program. They admonished the young people to get actively involved in the practice of reforestation to save the future of the next generation.
The Administration of the Nimba University in particular donated 42 seedlings in support of the event.
FDA Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services, Gertrude K. Nyale, presented seedlings to selected organizations as encouragement of the reforestation drive.
Madam Nyale noted that the ceremony was not just symbolic of reforestation, but also a move to nurture hope for the future of the country forest and species.
She described National Trees Planting as lifeblood of the country’s ecosystem that requires the involvement all Liberians.
According to her, citizens should see what FDA is fostering as planting the future of resilience in support of bio diversity of Liberia’s ecosystem.
Madam Nyale lauded those who turned out to grace the occasion and encouraged them for continual commitment to ensuring reforestation to protect the country’s forest and species for a better future.
The National Trees Planting celebration was characterized by dramas and poems from an institution called HN Kids, as well as Ex-Bush Meat Sellers and a student of the Forestry Training Institute.