US oil giant ExxonMobil has donated $20m to the National Protected Areas Commission
for work on the Botanical Gardens, Vlissengen Road.
GINA said today that Vice President for Exploration-America’s ExxonMobil Erik Oswald, who made the donation to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman yesterday said, “It’s a wonderful park and we look forward for it being renovated. That’s why we’re donating money to it. We’re also very happy that there’s an educational component to that donation, so that children will be able to come and learn about the wildlife.”
Trotman speaking at the handing over ceremony at the Botanical Gardens said he was very happy that there’s an educational aspect.
GINA said that the donation will allow for the creation of a waterfall feature at the entrance of the Botanical Gardens. The Victoria lily pond will be enlarged, deepened and landscaped for better promoting of the rare Victoria Amazonica, Guyana’s national flower. More grass will be planted around the pond.
In addition, outdoor lights will be installed along the road leading to the parking lot. This will lengthen visitor hours beyond sundown. It is also anticipated that evening receptions will be hosted in the gardens as security lighting will be installed at strategic points.
Botanical labelling and signage will also be covered in the donation. A catalogue of key plant species in the Botanical Gardens has been completed and will be used to create mounted labels on tree/plant specimens. A brochure and map will be produced to facilitate self-guided “plant walks” around the gardens.
Furthermore, field trips will be offered to various schools in the surrounding areas.