 A wide range of resources used in everyday life such as charcoal, honey, medicinal plants and fish are derived from the sustainable utilization of our wetlands. In commemoration of World Wetlands Day, the Department of Forestry in collaboration with the Southeast Coast Project, the Department of Fisheries and the St. Lucia National Trust hosted a tree planting at the Makote Mangrove in efforts to regenerate the mangrove forest ecosystems in areas where the species previously existed. Chief Forest Officer Alwyn Donnelly notes that wetlands are an integral part of the natural environment of St. Lucia and have significant value for biodiversity and coastal protection. He also stressed on the importance of ensuring that wetlands remain protected and preserved. We take today to observe the importance and the value of wetlands, not only to us but the intrinsic value around the world about a third of our wetlands have been destroyed and our activities, our actions here today cause for us to do a lot more to protect and preserve our remaining wetlands. A series of waterbed consensus were also conducted to determine the waterbed populations levels and the trends in numbers and distribution. National Project Coordinator for the Jeff South East Coast Project, John Calyxt, explains that the activity is fitting with the mandate of the organization to rehabilitate degraded areas and preserve as well as conserve areas in the Southeast Coast. Wetlands have very significant importance, as was said, as a carbon sink. They're migratory species, bird species that come here every year. And also there's a lot of biodiversity in the area which needs protection and conservation. So all of these activities fit nicely into our project objectives, so therefore it was not a problem for us to accept the invitation to be here today, to participate in the activities and also to support what's happening here today. The theme for this year's event was wetlands action for people and nature, which highlights the importance of our actions to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands for humans and planetary health. From the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, I am Anisia Antoine reporting.