Reviving The Gardens: The Friends of Limbe Botanic Garden Impact

 

By Tarhyang Enowbikah Tabe

For some time now, there has been a series of activities carried out by a group of environmental lovers and better environmental practice promoters under the banner of Friends Of The Gardens, FoG.

In December, the group revived the once popular activity of kids storming the Botanic Gardens during Christmas.

The Friends Of The Gardens Christmas event, brought together a good number of kids, not only for the picture taking session, but also one for which the kids could benefit from some environmental lessons and best practices.

As the Africa Nations cup drew near, the group of environmental awareness experts and lovers of clean space where all over the place in the AFCON Fan Zone in Limbe.

A good number of visitors were seen in their stands asking questions and receiving flyers and information materials about the activities of the Gardens and its Friends.

Their stand was one which was used to take advantage of the visitors who turnout for matches to know about the cherished Botanical Gardens with its long history.

Other sporting activities with no impact on the environment have been ongoing in the environment with the Tug Of War being one of the eye- catching game.

A majority of People who spoke to The Advocate after visiting the Gardens or whose kids have been part of activities feel that the Garden’s Friends are treating their friend in a friendly manner.

Only recently, the Friends of Limbe Botanic Garden in collaboration with the Limbe Botanic Garden (LBG) had the time to welcome students from colleges in Limbe.

The whole idea was a series of guided tours for the students to appreciate nature and learn firsthand what the Gardens provided and represents.

The program was sponsored by the Program for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources for South West Region (PSMNR-SW).The idea is to pass on the message on Conservation Education to students, children and visitors.

Speaking to the press on Day one, Mr Benjamin Jayin Jomi the Desk Officer for FoG said “We organize these free guided tours during this AFCON period to educate the people around Limbe Municipality and students about the values and facilities of Limbe Botanic Garden. He added that The FoG organizes these tours  as a way to help sustain the Limbe Botanic garden”.

 “The message I want to pass out to students is about Conservation and Education, they should know about some species of wild life especially those endangered, the importance of the forest we have around mount Cameroon and also the protected areas of the different regions. They should know and also make use of the facilities offered by the Botanic Garden,” Benjamin Jomi said.

A few students who spoke to us at the end of the tours laded the initiative of the Friends Of The Gardens.

Names of birds, names of trees, economic and health benefits of plants amongst others were some of the take home satisfaction from the students who were part of the tours.

Though a very young grouping in terms of when it was created, the team which is made up of big names in Limbe and professionals from across the board is already making its mark on the international scene, attracting foreign members and partners.