Peace Corp Volunteers and US Embassy Banjul Staff Plant Mangrove

On Saturday 18 October, The National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC), the  U.S Embassy Banjul Staff, Villagers and Peace Corp Volunteers(PCV)  embarked on a massive mangrove planting voluntary mission on James Island, in an effort to stop erosion and the ultimate disappearance of the island.  James Island a UNESCO World Heritage site on the River Gambia which has been directly associated with the beginning and end of the slave trade, provides an exceptional testimony to the different facets of the African-European history, from the 15th to 20th Centuries.

During the planting exercise, Mike McConnell Peace Corp Country Director, told reporters that their effort to plant mangroves is an initial attempt to promote awareness of the island’s deteriorating condition and to stabilize the banks by enhancing the islands root structure.  Research shows that mangroves prevent erosion.   Also in attendance to help plant mangroves were Tashawna Bethea, Political and Commercial Officer and Public Affairs Specialist from the Embassy, Papa Njie, staff from NCAC and the Peace Corp Volunteer who pirated this idea, Chris Honeycutt.

The Mangrove planting demonstrated the USG’s support for both environmental and cultural preservation of historic sites, and its willingness to work with local community through the Peace Corp and Embassy Staff.  The exercise received extensive coverage on all the major newspapers and GRTS TV carried on the evening news and has archived the program for future usage as a documentary on James Island.