UNEP has together with the Ministry of Environment of Haiti and the Departmental Directorate of the South Department celebrated World Environment Day (WED) on Pointe Sable beach in Port Salut, in Haiti’s southwest peninsula.

Celebrations took place on 5 June around the theme ‘All species are important. Protecting them is protecting us. Let’s work together!’ and emphasised the importance of protecting endangered marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

The events focused on raising awareness of the impacts of climate change and human activities on ecosystems, and underlined the importance of knowing and protecting endangered species. Local school students took part in symbolic planting of mangrove seedlings along the Trouillac river together with the Departmental Director of the Ministry of Environment. The seedlings – grown in the nursery of Port Salut – will form a natural barrier that will protect coastal communities from floods, and will serve as a habitat for various fish and crustaceans.

Other WED activities included a poster exhibition on the beach on species living around Haiti’s coastal area, as well as music performances and drawing competitions for children. Led by the Mayor of Port Salut, mayors from all towns along Haiti’s southern coast spoke on the importance of preserving the marine environment for their communities. In particular, the Mayor of Port Salut spoke about the importance of restoring the town’s beach, which is a national treasure that has suffered significant erosion in recent years.

Representatives from the Haitian National Protected Areas Agency were also present and spoke of their role in supporting the network of marine protected areas established in the area by Presidential decree in 2013 with UNEP’s support.

The Government and its partners also emphasised the need to protect animal and plant species living in the Macaya Natural National Park, many of which are endemic to Haiti. UNEP is working together with partners, including the Government of Norway, to support the sound management and development of the park in the future.

Follow UNEP Haiti on Facebook by clicking here and for more information please write to sophie.brown@unep.org.