The picturesque setting of the Castleton Gardens in St Mary provided the perfect backdrop for the Ministry of Agriculture's Earth Day Expo last Friday.
Students and other individuals from across the parish flocked to the more than century-old gardens to enjoy the rustic charm and peaceful surroundings as they learned about the benefits of caring for Mother Earth.
Raymond Ramdon, superintendent of public gardens at the Ministry of Agriculture, said despite the fact that the official celebrations for Earth Day took place in April, it was never too late to host an event in honour of our environment.
Ramdon said last Friday's event was also a way to revive interest in the St Mary gardens. The lush expanse of land covers about 35 acres, comprising the garden, as well as woodlands, with the powerful and refreshing Wag Water River flowing through its veins.
The gardens are home to a number of exotic plants, including the lychee tree, some Jamaicans may know it as the 'Chinese Guinep'. This reporter had her first taste of the sweet, tangy fruit on her trip to St Mary last week.
Though unconfirmed, Ramdon bragged that the Castleton Gardens once boasted the largest palm area in the entire world. In earlier years, the area had over 180 species of palm trees, including the Madagascar palmyra and palmetto palms.
He said the Ministry of Agriculture was hoping to revive residents' interest in public gardens, as over the years some individuals no longer visited such spaces for entertainment purposes.
Facilities manager at Castleton Gardens, Jacqueline O'Gilvie, reiterated Ramdon's wish, adding that a number of people might not even know that the gardens are still open.
"Some people used to come here when they were much smaller but don't know that it is still in operation. We just want to bring back the feeling and for people to know that the gardens are still open," she said.
Dr Marc Panton, chief technical director at the ministry, said the Forestry Department was also on a very strong drive to focus on the economic value of trees.
"You have trees such as your mahogany which, if you have a plot of 10 acres, within 15 years that represents money, but at the same time, it does wonders for the environment," he said.
athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com