MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO OFFICIALLY
DECLARE 2008 AS THE YEAR OF THE CORAL REEF

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Friday, February 1st, 2008 -The year 2007 marks another milestone in the history of TCI. The government took a bold step in declaring 2007 as the Year of the Environment with a theme "Giving Mother Nature a Helping Hand".

Such declaration has created a wave of public attention to the environment, not only in the country or the Caribbean but entire the world, with no less than the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and former US Vice President Al Gore, addressing the Environment Conference in November 2007.

Similarly, 2008 will even be more challenging as the country is at the crossroads, a stage where the world is paying keen attention to our actions. We need concerted efforts to mitigate the effect of various environmental problems associated anthropological actions. We certainly are aware of what is good and what is bad for the environment and the decision is in our hands.

On the 8th of February 2008, the Ministry of Natural Resources will officially declare 2008 as the Year of the Coral Reef. The achievements and gains in 2007 will be reviewed and the roadmap for 2008 and the years ahead will be launched.

In view thereof, there will be launching program and reception, which will commence at 7:30 PM at Simba Restaurant, at the Turks and Caicos Club, on Lower Bight Road, Providenciales.

For more information, contact DECR on telephone numbers (649) 941-5122 or (649) 946-4017.

END

Courtney S. Robinson
Director, GIS
Office of the Premier,
Grand Turk,
Turks and Caicos Islands.
Tel: (649) 946-2801, ext.40916
Fax: (649) 946-1311
Email: c.robinson@gov.tc