Plant a Tree Initiative kicks off at Bucuti & Tara

The goal is clear: Ban Lanta y planta. The initiative is the brainchild of our Ewald Biemans, Green leader and CEO of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, who was inspired by a story on social media where individuals planting trees led to the reforestation of a previously stripped and barren expanse of land. After sharing the story on his own social media page, inspired local community members organized and activated a fresh and powerful initiative and called it Let’s Plant Aruba. The founders consist of environmental activists and local conservationists in the field and together they created an action plan to motivate the community to achieve a greener and cooler Aruba with the beautiful simplicity of planting trees. The architects of the plan recently shared their vision and objectives of the planting of (indigenous) trees, including regional fruit trees on residential plots, government land, and commercial land during the launch of the initiative on October 25th in the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort courtyard gardens.

The Ban Lanta y Planta campaign includes a social media contest where those entering have an opportunity to win prizes if they plant a tree, film the planting and share it on Facebook. Details can be found on the Ban Lanta y Planta social media pages. Anita Aerts, chairwoman Lets’s Plant Aruba explains, “If every homeowner will plant one tree, we will have about 40,000.00 additional trees on the island. Start small with just one tree and you will make a difference. The added bonus is that you will add shade and a cooler space in your garden, which ultimately will help with electricity costs if the tree is planted strategically.”  Aerts added.  

Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort launched the program by planting the first tree, a local mango tree in the resort courtyard. “Planting this tree is just the beginning and we aim to plant more trees. We hope this beautiful Mango tree will inspire the community and inform of the benefits of planting indigenous trees.  Trees help against CO2 output, offer shade, cool their surroundings and possibly bear fruit"  states Ewald Biemans "After some time to take root, trees do not need a lot of water. Let’s all Ban Lanta y Planta for a greener Aruba”